The Primo-adoptants program.
Primo-adoptants is a Quebec program supporting companies that are adopting a digital technology for the first time. It is designed for SMEs at the beginning of their digital journey — companies implementing their first ERP, first automation system, or first AI tool — rather than those already advanced in digital transformation.
What the program funds.
- First-time implementation of an ERP or integrated management system
- Initial automation of a manual production or administrative process
- First AI or machine learning tool adoption in the company
- First-time deployment of a digital customer or supplier interface
- Digital readiness assessment and technology road-mapping
Who qualifies.
- Quebec SMEs with limited prior digital adoption
- Companies implementing a qualifying digital technology for the first time
- Active Quebec establishment, RENA-compliant, French website
- Must not have previously benefited from Circuit Numérique or ESSOR 1C for the same technology
Your questions about Primo-adoptants.
What is the Primo-adoptants program?
Primo-adoptants is a Quebec program for companies making their first adoption of a key digital technology. It targets SMEs that have not yet digitized a core business function — implementing their first ERP, CRM, automation system, or AI tool — and need financial support to take that initial step.
Who is this program for?
Primo-adoptants is specifically for companies at the start of their digital journey. If your company already uses an ERP or has undergone significant digital transformation, you would be a better fit for Circuit Numérique PME or ESSOR 1C instead.
What does "primo-adoptant" mean exactly?
A "primo-adoptant" (first adopter) in this context means a company implementing a specific digital technology for the first time. You do not need to be digitally naive overall — you may already use some tools — but the specific technology being funded must be new to your business.
What types of first-time adoption qualify?
Qualifying first adoptions include: first integrated ERP or MES implementation, first production automation project, first AI or ML tool deployment, first digital customer portal or EDI connection, and first comprehensive cybersecurity implementation.
Can Primo-adoptants be combined with other programs?
Yes. Primo-adoptants can be combined with SR&ED (for R&D components) and CDAE-IA (for AI adoption). After the initial adoption is funded, subsequent digital projects can access Circuit Numérique PME or ESSOR 1C. Hubvention plans the full multi-year digital funding roadmap.
Is Primo-adoptants a grant?
Primo-adoptants provides a non-repayable grant covering a portion of first-adoption digital project costs. Specific coverage rates and caps are set per program cycle.
How does this differ from Circuit Numérique PME?
Circuit Numérique PME is for companies already engaged in digital transformation (next steps, expansions, upgrades). Primo-adoptants is for companies taking their very first step. Hubvention identifies which program is the right fit based on your current digital maturity level.
How does Hubvention help with Primo-adoptants?
Hubvention manages the Primo-adoptants mandate: digital maturity assessment, technology scoping, eligibility validation, application preparation, and submission. We build your complete multi-year digital funding roadmap — Primo-adoptants → Circuit Numérique → ESSOR 1C — to maximize non-repayable funding across your entire digitalization journey.
Primo-adoptants — Start your file.
We handle the full mandate: eligibility audit, file structuring, submission, follow-up.
- Structured mandate
- Confidentiality guaranteed
- 20 minutes