What is an incubator-accelerator?

A business incubator-accelerator programs provide access to professional support for start-ups or accelerating businesses. Whether it's through mentoring, funding or connecting with partners or investors, experts support entrepreneurs in boosting their chances at success.

Typically, the types of entrepreneurs that use accelerator services are:

• Those in the start-up phase who haven’t yet completed market validation and haven’t made sales yet; or 

• Those already in operation, and have sales to their credit.

What is the Northern Incubator-Accelerator intervention model?

The service offer is based on a combination of customized support and collaboration with strategic partners designed to accelerate the successful achievement of tourism projects on the territory, while facilitating the access to funding.

How will promoters be approached?

The Northern Incubator-Accelerator is nomadic, with no physical incubation site. It targets entrepreneurs in the region through its strategic partnerships with tourist associations and local media.

How will promoters be selected?

The projects submitted must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Prioritize the Nature-Culture-Adventure component;

• Provide a detailed presentation of the tourism project;

• Demonstrate business potential;

• Provide an analysis and relevancy report for targeted markets (and market segmentations);

• Understand the direct competition;

• Have an expert confirm the component project’s potential and its financial capacity (partner of the Northern Incubator-Accelerator);

• Have good financial management (recognized accounting framework);

• Demonstrate a commitment to sustainable development.

Very important: The entrepreneur must show their ability and willingness to be challenged.

Do the supported promoters need to be members of a tourist association?

Not necessarily. However, given that the Northern Incubator-Accelerator is nomadic, it may be easier to communicate with members of associations already involved in the project.

What types of projects are supported? 

The projects we support must operate within the Nature-Culture-Adventure sector, which is where the region’s strengths lie. Categories may include:

• Recreational fishing

• Accomodation related to Nature-Culture-Adventure activities

• Any activity that may enhance the wildlife potential for outfitters

• Adventure tourism and ecotourism

• Indigenous tourism

Entrepreneurs should be driven by the following objectives:

• Boosting tourist traffic while respecting each community’s specific reception capacities;

• Increasing tourism spending;

• Support businesses to promote their growth.

Which businesses qualify?

The following organizations/businesses can make an application as long as they want to develop a tourist project related to the nature-culture-adventure axes:

• For-profit organizations

• Non-profit organizations (NPOs)

• Cooperatives

• Municipal organizations

• Indigenous communities and nations recognized by the National Assembly

• Groupings of these types of businesses

How many businesses will be supported in the 2nd cohort? 

Each cohort includes two support components: Start-up and Accelerator. Each Pathway supports 4 to 6 entrepreneurs with services that are complementary, and at a same development phase.

The Northern Incubator-Accelerator plans to support more than thirty entrepreneurs across the territory over the next three years.

What kind of support will be offered to promoters?

Component 1: Pathway Support (Start-up and Accelerator)
Objectives

• Turn the business idea into a strong and realistic business model and plan. 

• Validate the framework of the entrepreneurial process.

• Implement the project with potential partners and clients.

Component 2: Support for successful achievement (Funding)
Objectives

• Accelerate the realization of the business plan with potential partners and clients.

• Validate the business plan (desirability, feasibility, viability).

• Secure the operational resources required for the success of the business project.

How do you intend to ensure sustainability of the business approach on the territory?

The sustainability of the approach will require a transfer of knowledge to the territory. Knowledge sharing, mentoring and networking activities will be organized to promote exchanges and strengthen networking between local experts and entrepreneurs in various sectors.

Do I have to complete the Support Pathways to have access to the Sphere 2?

You must be at least accepted into the Acceleration Pathway OR have completed 100% of the Start-Up Pathway.

Does the maximum funding come from the Ministry of Tourism?

The amounts granted are indicative and will be analyzed according to the tourism projects. The funding comes from the Ministry of Tourism and the Société du Plan Nord.

Are the Northern I-A the Outfitter Business Support Measure complementary?

The assistance measure is more of a conventional program, so tourism projects that do not require accompaniment could be redirected to this assistance measure.

Will there be other cohorts during less busy times for contractors?

We plan to launch 3 cohorts in 2021-2022. The dates will be published in the coming weeks.

Is it mandatory to have the three axes (Culture-Nature-Adventure) or can it be only one of them?

The project must address at least one of the three axes.

Is the Northern I-A initiative related to the 2020-2023 Northern Plan?

The Nordic I-A is indeed the subject of measure 2.1.1.1 of the NAP 20-23 entitled "Develop the Nordic tourism sector", one of the initiatives that contributes to the objective Increase the vitality of promising economic sectors in the territory.

Do companies in the Adventure axis have to be accredited with the AEQ? 

All companies offering level 2 adventure activities in relation to the risks of the activities must be accredited or certified Quality-Safety. On the other hand, this is not mandatory for companies that do not offer adventure activities with a risk level 2.