Assistance for Entrepreneurship - Montreal Region

The following document supplements the Info-Guides. It provides an overview of the local ressources available to entrepreneurs in the Montréal region who want to start up or expand their business. Consult the Info-Guides List (see end of document) for an overview of all programs and services available by theme.

Summary

1.   Local Development

Board of Trade of Metropolitain Montreal
As the voice of the business community, the Board of Trade works to promote growth and economic prosperity in the region, offering services and activities designed to meet the needs of its 7,000 members. For  further information, call 514 871-4000 or visit the Web site at: Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal

City of Montréal - Economic and Urban Development Department
To obtain all the help you need from the City of Montréal or well-informed advice based on thorough knowledge of the local economy, call the City's district or sector commissioners, other services are available such as : Film and Television Bureau. For more information on these services, you can contact the City of Montréal's Economic and Urban Development Department at 514 872-8662 or visit the following Web site: http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=66,48055&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

CLD representatives - Corporations de Développement économique et communautaire - CDEC
These agencies in various parts of Montreal work with local businesses and other economic stakeholders in promoting and developing projects to motivate the economy. Visit the Web site at: Association des centres locaux de développement du Québec . Technical and/or financial aid may be provided to start up a business:

CLD Anjou: 514 493-5113

CLD Centre-West: 514 855-5757

CDE LaSalle: 514 367-6380

CLD les 3 Monts: 514 737-1253
http://www.cldles3monts.com

CLD Lachine: 514 469-9808

CLD de Montréal (CREC de Saint-Léonard): 514 256-6767
CREC de Saint-Léonard (In French only)

CLD Montréal-Nord: 514 353-7171
CLD Anjou/Montréal-Nord (In French only)

CLD Ouest de l'Île: 514 694-8600
CLD Ouest de l'Île

CLD Verdun: 514 362-1555
CLD Verdun (In French only)

Corporations de développement économique et communautaire (CDEC) - CLD Providers

CDEC Ahuntsic/Cartierville: 514 858-1018
http://www.cdec.qc.ca (In French only)

CDEC Centre-Nord: 514 948-6117
http://www.cdec-centrenord.org/fr/default.asp (In French only)

CDEC Côte-des-Neiges/Notre-Dame-de-Grâce: 514 342-4842
http://www.cdeccdnndg.org

CDEC Centre-Sud/Plateau Mont-Royal: 514 845-2332
http://www.cdec.cspmr.org (In French only)

CDEST (Corporation développement économique de l'Est) de l'Est:
514 256-6825
http://www.cdest.qc.ca (In French only)

CDEC Lasalle Lachine: 514 469-0288
http://www.cdec-lasallelachine.ca/

CDEC Rosemont-Petite-Patrie: 514 723-0030
http://www.cdec-rpp.ca (In French only)

RESO (Regroupement pour la relance économique et sociale) Sud-Ouest de Montréal: 514 931-5737
http://www.resomtl.com (In French only)

SDE Ville-Marie (Société de développement économique): 514 879-0555
http://www.sde-villemarie.qc.ca (In French only)

SODEC: Rivière des Prairies/Pointe-aux-Trembles: 514 494-2606
http://www.sodec.qc.ca (In French only)

Local Employment Centres (CLEs)
Resources and services are available at each of these Centre locaux d'emplois (CLDs) for:

• people who need job assistance or financial support;
• employers eager to hire qualified staff and who have questions about manpower and manpower skill development. Local employment centres

List of Montreal CLEs : (businesses service)

Cercles d'Emprunt de Montréal
Non-profit organization that supports and orients micro-entreprises and self employed workers. Training, counselling and financial assistance available. For more information, contact the Cercles at 514 849-3271 or visit the Web site at: Cercles d'Emprunt de Montréal (In French only)

Conférence régionale des élus de Montréal (CRÉ)
The CRÉ as for mission to stimulate the economic, social and cultulral development of the island. For further information, call 514 842-2400 or visit the Web site at Île de Montréal (In French only)

Junior Bar Association of Montreal - Legal Counselling for Businesses
This association offers to Montreal business people one hour of free consultation with a lawyer. For more information, call 514 954-3450 or visit the Web site at: Juri-conseil aux entreprises (In French only)

Montreal Community Loan Association - MCLA
MCLA provides loans and technical support to people who don't have access to traditional sources of credit for the start-up or expansion of their business or community initiatives. Loans may reach up to $ 20 000 and repayment is done over a 1 to 4 year period. For more information, call 514 843-7296, consult the document Montreal Community Loan Association - ACEM or visit the Web site at: Community Loan Fund

2.    Young Entrepreneurs

Carrefour Jeunesse-emploi (Montreal region)
Each Carrefour is an independent community organization that provides a free information service for young adults 16 to 35 years of age on job search, going back to school or starting up a business or a project. For further information, contact the Réseau des Carrefour Jeunesse-emploi du Québecat 514 393-9155 or visit the Web site at: Réseau des carrefours jeunesse-emploi du Québec (In French only)

Jeune Chambre de Commerce de Montréal
The Jeune Chambre de Commerce de Montréal is a non profit association which has close to 1500 members between the ages of 18 and 40. Its members work in the Montréal metropolitan area as executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. Its main mission is to assist young business people to rise within the Montréal economic community by providing them with the necessary tools for their development. For more information, see the document Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal call 514 845-4951 or visit the Web site at: Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal

Service d'aide aux jeunes entrepreneurs - (SAJE) - Île de Montréal
The SAJE is a network of offices devoted to helping businesses get started. They work in cooperation with Local Development Centres (LDC) local organizations to help select and support business projects. SAJE consultants provide young people between the ages of 18 and 35 with services in general guidance, consultation, training, business plan preparation, market studies, etc. The consultations are free; a nominal fee is required for preparing business plans. The SAJE are also responsible for the following financial assistance programs for all clients: Soutien au travailleur autonome and Jeunes Promoteurs. For more information, call your local SAJE at any of the following numbers:

SAJE Montréal-Métro, Siège social et Centre de suivi
505 René Lévesque West, suite 510
Montréal (Québec)  H2Z 1Y7
Tel.: 514 861-(SAJE) (7253)
Fax: 514 398-9132
Montréal Métro 

SAJE Montréal Centre
5160 Décarie Boulvard, Suite 820
P.O. Box 22
Montréal (Québec)  H3X 2H9
Tel.: 514 485-SAJE (7253)
Fax: 514 485-4933
info@sajemontrealcentre.com
Montréal Centre

SAJE - Centre de suivi des entreprises des SAJE de l'Île de Montréal
The Center offers young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 38, free counselling in order to develop their business (marketing plan, accounting, cost price, financial analysis, financing research, international trade, etc.). Eligible entrepreneurs must have started their business in 1994 or after. Consulting fees will be charged for people over 38 years of age. The Center offers a training program called NOVA in collaboration with the private sector. For more information, call 514 861-SAJE (7253) or visit the Web site at: Montréal Métro

Mayor's Foundation for Youth
The Fondation du maire de Montréal pour la jeunesse (fmmj) is a non-profit organization with a mission to help young (18-35 years of age), low-income Montrealers to start up a business, including in the artistic community. The grants offered by the fmmj cover a maximum of 25% of the business' start-up costs, up to a maximum of $20 000. The fmmj also provides access to support and mentoring services that contribute to the success of the businesses funded. For more information,  consult the document  Fondation du Maire de Montréal pour la jeunesse, call 514 872-8401 or visit the Web site at: Fondation du maire de MTL pour la jeunesse

Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF)
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation is a national charitable organization that empowers aspiring young Canadian entrepreneurs, age 18-34, to start up their own business. CYBF' s three core services: start-up financing (financing up to $15 000), mentoring, and business resources. For further information call at 1-800-464-2923 or visit the Web site at : Canadian Youth Business Foundation

Youth Café
The Youth Café is an information center located in downtown Montréal that caters to youngsters from the island of Montréal. It offers complete and easy access to most federal government programs while specializing in youth related programs. For more information, call 514 496-9040 or visit the Web site at: Youth Café

Youth Employment Services Centre
The Youth Employment Services (YES) is a non-profit, community organization that delivers English-language job-search and self-employment services to Quebecers. The Yes entrepreneurship program is open to persons of all ages. For more information, call 514 878-9788 or visit the Web site at: Youth Employment Services

3.   Academic Network

CEGEP
Many CEGEPs offer workshop on start-up and management of a business. Contact the CEGEP nearest you. You can also consult the Quebec's Vocational and Technical Education Networkat Inforoute

André Laurendeau CEGEP - Virtual Boards of Directors (Virtual BDs)
The Centre de création et d'expansion d'entreprises offers a creative type of training aimed at helping the owners and executives of young, growing businesses acquire management knowledge and skills. It enables these individuals to receive assistance from skilled professionals in a variety of disciplines related to business, in a format similar to that of a board of directors. The program is intended for companies that have been in business for less than two years. For further information, call 514 364-9339 or visit the Web site at: CA-Virtuels

Montréal School Commission
The Centre de ressources éducatives et pédagogiques offers a training program on how to start a business: "Démarrer son entreprise, Penser et bâtir sa publicité, Tenue de livre". For further information, call 514 596-4567 or visit the Web site: Commission scolaire de Montréal (In French only).

Service aux entreprises et à la main d'oeuvre
Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys offers training programs that accompany the first stages in the life of a business. At the heart of these activities: "Starting a Business" is a vocational training program for people who are considering a business venture - either starting or expanding - given by people in business and offered in collaboration with the ministère de l'Éducation du Québec. Training in entrepreneurship on the Internet. For further information call 514 855-4500, ext. 8842, consult the document Starting a Business - Training on the Internet or visit the Web site at: http://www2.csmb.qc.ca/sae/

4.   Innovation, Research and Development

Centre d'entreprises et d'innovation de Montréal (CEIM)
The Centre d'entreprises et d'innovation de Montréal (CEIM) is a non profit organization operating mainly in the greater Montréal area and is devoted to the creation and development of new businesses. In existence for over ten years, CEIM is broadening its activities in the new technology sector and life sciences. It serves as an incubator for businesses and provides a number of services, involving certain costs, including specialized consultation, training workshops (business development, management and marketing support) and rental of office spaces. Furthermore, it is located right in the heart of the Cité du multimédia in Montreal. For information, call 514 866-0575 ext. 200, consult the document Centre d'Entreprises et d'Innovation de Montréal (CEIM) or visit the Web site at: Centre d'entreprises et d'innovation de Montréal (CEIM)

Maison des hautes technologies de Montréal
The "Maison des hautes technologies de Montréal" consolidates organizations dedicated to the promotion and advancement of high technology in an attempt to simplify steps taken by "technological" entrepreneurs everywhere in Québec but particularly in Montréal. For more information, please call 514 840-1291 or visit the Web site at: Maison des hautes technologies (In French only)

5.   Services and Retail Businesses

Convercité - The urban enhancement agency
Founded in 1994 under the acronym CIRQ (Centre d'intervention pour la revitalisation des quartiers), Convercité participates in urban development projects that respond to particular mandates. The organisation contributes to the implementation of urban projects that enhance the quality of life in local communities. For more information, call 514 286-2663 or visit the Web site at: Convercité (in French only)

Infocité
Infocité provides to entrepreneurs and organisations in the greater Montreal region, urban and socio-economic information that leads to the completion of projects such as the choice of a strategic location for a start-up company, the carrying out of market research for new products or services, the evaluation of events' benefits to help in the search or potential partners or sponsors and the analysis of the needs and characteristics of a given population in order to provide appropriate services. For further information, call 514 286-2663, consult the document Infocité or visit the Web site at: Convercité

Sociétés d'initiatives et de développement des artères commerciales (SIDAC)
SDC Commercial Development Corporation
Boulevard St-Laurent: 514 286-0334
Carrefour du plateau Mont-Royal: 514 522-3797
Centre-ville: 514 398-9438
Promenade Ste-Catherine: 514 254-4242
Plaza St-Hubert: 514 276-8501
Promenade Fleury: 514 387-0022
Promenade Masson: 514 525-4386
Plaza Monk: 514 766-4131
Promenade Ontario: 514 522-6581
Quartier Latin: 514 849-4906
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue: 514 457-5592
Sherbrooke Ouest: 514 481-6277
Vieux-Montréal: 514 732-8685
Wellington: 514 766-6437

• Info-Guide - Exporters
• Info-Guide - Start-Up and Expansion
• Info-Guide - Social Economy
• Info-Guide - Young Entrepreneurs
• Info-Guide - Permits and Licences Required for Certain Types of Businesses
• Info-Guide - Employment and Training
• Info-Guide - Aboriginal Businesses
• Info-Guide - Self-Employment
• Info-Guide - Multimedia
• Info-Guide - E-Business
• Info-Guide - Technological and Strategic Intelligence
• Info-Guide - Innovation, Research and Development
• Info-Guide - Women Entrepreneurs
• Starting a Convenience Store
• Starting a Bed and Breakfast
• Association des centres locaux de développement du Québec

Quebec Contact(s):
Info entrepreneurs
380 St-Antoine Street West, local 6000
Montréal, Quebec  H2Y 3X7
Telephone: 514 496-4636
Fax: 514 496-5934 Toll Free / Sans frais 1 888 417-0442
Toll-free (information): 1-800-322-4636
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: infoentrepreneurs@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.infoentrepreneurs.org
Hours of operation:
Regulars Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Summer Hours: (from June 25 to Labour Day) 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Documentation Centre (Library) Hours for On-Site Research: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday