Foire aux questions

To call on PME MTL services, your business must be on Montréal Island or be plannign to locate there.

A business plan is a planning tool that lets entrepreneurs structure their ideas. It identifies the mission of the business, the vision and values of the entrepreneur(s), and the services/products to be offered. It also analyzes the market (segmentation) and the competition and lays out the marketing strategy, financial forecasts, etc. Your business plan will be used as a management tool and a way of presenting your organization when seeking financing or partnerships.

PME MTL advisors can support you in drawing up your business plan. In particular, based on the materials you have prepared, they can: 

• Comment on certain elements and suggest improvements;
• Identify any elements to be improved or changed to make sure your business qualifies for possible sources of financing;
• Give an opinion on the feasibility of your project;
• Help you integrate your planned business into the local and regional economic development context (relevance, complementarity, networking); and
• Depending on how far along you are in planning your business and your experience, support you through the following steps. 

Needless to say, a PME MTL advisor can never guarantee that your business will be a success – there are too many unpredictable factors along the way. But our advisors will give you the most objective possible opinion on the measurable elements of your plan. Visit our Business plan and financial tools section.

Of course, PME MTL advisors will be happy to give you their opinion. Find the advisors in your area.

Yes, at this stage, PME MTL experts can meet with you to discuss financial forecasts. 

Our specialists can guide you to the best resources for conducting market research. 

A social economy enterprise: serves members of the community rather than simply generating profits; includes a democratic decision-making process, allowing users and workers to participate; places greater emphasis on individuals and jobs than on capital when distributing surpluses and income.

Generally speaking, a co-operative serves its members, while an NPO serves the community. The members of a co-operative usually make regular use of its goods or services. They may be users or customers of the goods or services offered, or work in the co-operative. There are different kinds of co-operatives: workers, producers, consumers, solidarity or worker-shareholders. NPOs are more flexible and tend to have a less formal structure. 

If you and your business meet certain criteria, you may be eligible for the subsidies offered by PME MTL.

PME MTL offers different financing programs and measures, for social economy enterprises and for-profit businesses alike. See our Financing section. PME MTL funds are often useful as levers in putting your financing together. Our advisers can help you do so with the different partners that might contribute to your business: For-profit business: Investissement Québec, BDC, Desjardins, Futurpreneur, other financial institutions. Social economy enterprise: RISQ, Filaction, ACEM, charitable foundations, Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins, Fiducie du Chantier de l’économie sociale, government programs (depending on your industry).

Some industries are excluded: any business that is sexual, religious, or political in nature, and any business whose activities are degrading, discriminatory or controversial (war games, tarot card reading, astrology, pawn shops, etc.); seasonal projects, unless the developer can show that the business provides him or her with full-time employment.

Yes, if the planned expansion qualifies.

You can make an appointment with a PME MTL management advisor. They are there to support businesses at every step along the way. Find the advisers in your area.

PME MTL offers advisory and support services for transferring a business or purchasing an existing business. Find the advisors in your area.

PME MTL offers advisory and support services for acquire or purchasing an existing business. Find the advisors in your area.

Your business plans are already well advanced or you already have a business plan prepared? Then you’re ready to meet with an advisor, who will explain in detail how to apply for financing. Find the advisers in your area.

Every entrepreneur is different, but there are certain common motivations, aptitudes and skills shared by people who successfully build their own businesses.