SEB key parameters.
Who can apply for SEB?
- Food processing companies incorporated in Quebec
- Agricultural operations established in Quebec
- Fisheries and commercial aquaculture companies
- Companies subcontracting food transformation to Quebec facilities
- Minimum annual revenue of $1,000,000
- Prior export experience (at least some sales outside Quebec)
- Industry associations (only individual applications accepted)
- Natural health products (NPN) or drugs (DIN)
- Companies with no prior export experience
- Cell-cultured foods, CBD/THC products, lab-grown foods, animal feed, seeds
- Pre-commercialization stage products
What SEB funds.
- Market development projects to access new markets outside Quebec for Quebec bioalimentary products
- Consolidation and diversification of presence on Canadian (non-Quebec) or international markets for established exporters
- Major export projects for companies with significant existing export sales volume
What costs are covered?
- GS1 Canada fees (barcodes, GTIN, marketing content, planography)
- Salary + benefits for a market development specialist (up to $45,000/year, 52 weeks)
- Market research, surveys, in-store tastings
- Promotional content creation and packaging/label adaptation
- Media/advertising placement, influencer services, social media management
- Retailer listing fees for new products
- External professional fees: brokers, merchandisers, market strategy
- Trademark registration, B2B platform subscriptions
- Trade show participation outside Quebec (registration, booth, transport)
- Travel to prospecting missions outside Quebec (flat rates per destination)
- Hosting of potential customers at Quebec facilities (flat rates by origin)
From application to first payment.
- 01
Eligibility audit
Verify $1M minimum revenue, bioalimentary sector, and prior export experience.
- 02
RAQ registration
Products must be listed in the Répertoire des aliments québécois (RAQ) before the first disbursement.
- 03
Project structuring
Define commercialization activities outside Quebec; structure budget respecting per-item caps.
- 04
Submit to Groupe Export
File complete application with financial statements and project narrative.
- 05
Decision (60–90 days)
Written decision: award letter + agreement, or reasoned refusal. Revision available within 20 business days.
Your questions about SEB.
What is the SEB program?
SEB (Soutien aux entreprises bioalimentaires) is administered by Groupe Export agroalimentaire Québec-Canada in partnership with MAPAQ. It funds the commercialization of Quebec bioalimentary products in markets outside Quebec — other Canadian provinces or international markets.
How much can I recover through SEB?
SEB covers up to 50% of eligible costs, with a minimum grant of $15,000 and a maximum of $100,000 per project. A project must be at least $30,000 in eligible spending to reach the minimum threshold, and $200,000 to maximize the grant. The salary component for a market development specialist is capped at $45,000/year. Combined public aid from all sources may not exceed 75% of eligible costs.
Does my company need prior export experience?
Yes. SEB is explicitly for companies that already have some sales outside Quebec — not first-time exporters. Companies with no prior export experience do not qualify. The three streams within SEB are calibrated to companies at different export maturity levels: new market access, consolidation, and major export projects.
Can SEB be combined with CanExport?
Yes, SEB and CanExport SME are frequently stacked for Quebec food exporters targeting international markets. SEB covers Quebec-resident companies' activities with a 75% public aid ceiling; CanExport adds a federal layer. Hubvention ensures the budgets are structured correctly to avoid double-counting and maintain compliance with each program's rules.
What is the RAQ requirement?
Products must be registered in the Répertoire des aliments québécois (RAQ) before the first payment disbursement is made. This requirement confirms that the products are genuinely produced or transformed in Quebec. Hubvention coordinates RAQ registration as part of the SEB mandate.
Is SEB available for companies in all Quebec regions?
Yes. All Quebec administrative regions are eligible for SEB on the company side. The funded activities must target markets outside Quebec — other Canadian provinces or international markets. For projects targeting strictly Quebec domestic markets, the SIAM program applies instead.
When is the SEB deadline?
The current SEB call opened May 20, 2025 and closes April 2, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. Applications are processed on a rolling basis. A results report from any prior SEB-funded project must be submitted before a second application is accepted.
How does Hubvention support a SEB application?
Hubvention manages the full SEB mandate: eligibility audit (revenue, sector, export history), RAQ registration, project structuring, budget with per-item caps, narrative, submission to Groupe Export, and management of the project completion report required for future applications.
SEB — Start your file.
We handle the full mandate: eligibility audit, file structuring, submission, follow-up.
- Structured mandate
- Confidentiality guaranteed
- 20 minutes