Large-Scale Demonstration AI Innovation Project

This call for projects from Quebec’s Ministry of the Economy, Innovation and Energy is aimed at business groups comprising a minimum of two Quebec companies. Eligible projects are those that demonstrate the potential for significant short-term benefits.  This group of companies must share the costs, benefits, and intellectual property of the innovation project. For each eligible partner company, the project must provide for the hiring of at least one intern per year.

Eligibility 

Eligible projects are those involving product or process innovation using artificial intelligence, from the planning stage to the pre-commercialization stage (industrial demonstration). The company can develop the product or process for organizational improvement or for sale.  The project must:

• Involve the development of a new product or process, or the significant improvement of an existing product or process. 
• Demonstrate that the product or process offers a decisive advantage over existing solutions on the market. 
• Involve a technological or business risk or uncertainty for the company. 
• Have required (or will require) research and development efforts. 
• Demonstrate commercial potential (if the product or process is intended for sale). 
• Projects typically lasting 18 months. 
• The project must be carried out by at least 2 Quebec companies. 

Financing

• Financial assistance can cover up to 50% of eligible expenses. 
• Financial assistance of up to $1,500,000 per project. 
• Depending on the project presented, other partners may also co-finance the project. 
• Cumulative public funding can reach a maximum of 75% of total project expenses. 

Funding for CRIAQ projects comes from the Partenar-IA program of the Quebec government’s ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie (MEIE).  CRIAQ’s project portfolio team will help you prepare your budget with proven tools to pre-qualify and obtain financing.