Why choose Evol
We believe a business loan isn’t just a matter of financing: it’s also a way to support the people and ideas building the future.
This is why our financing is never stand-alone and includes tailored mentoring, strategic advice and people-driven support that makes a difference.
We can go further together
We are convinced that all businesses, regardless of their size, can do their part and make our economy fairer, more equitable and more sustainable. This is why we support you in integrating sustainable development practices that help reinforce your business’s positive impact. As a reward for your efforts, the more your business adopts a structured and integrated approach to sustainable development, the more favourable the interest rate. We set the interest rate for your loan from a base rate, plus an adjustable risk premium. This premium varies according to the business’s commitment to sustainable development. The rate is revised every year, on the anniversary date of the loan, offering tangible recognition of progress.
Our business loans
We offer financing that meets your needs.
Who are our business loans for?
We believe our economy should be more equitable, fairer and more sustainable, so we finance and support projects from businesses owned in whole or in part by at least one person who identifies with one of the following groups, which are still far too underrepresented in entrepreneurship:
Women
Immigrants
Racialized people
Members of the LGBTQ2S+ community
People living with a disability
Members of First Nations and Inuit communities
We dedicate our service offer to these clienteles, because we believe that an inclusive, diversified economy will be more sustainable, perform better and be more resilient.
*These individuals must hold at least 25% of the shares and votes and have a strategic position in the company.
What are the eligibility criteria?
Businesses that would like to apply for a loan must meet the following 6 criteria*:
1
Be legally constituted and registered on Québec’s Enterprise Register or plan to be by the end of the loan process.
2
Have its head office and main activities in Québec.
3
Have a specific need according to the business life cycle, either a startup, growth, acquisition or succession project.
4
Contribute to at least one of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as an impact business (a business whose services or products offer a solution to a social or environmental issue) or a business that is committed to integrating or improving sustainable development practices during the course of the financing. Find out more about the 17 SDGs.
5
Be headed up by people who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, or who have a Québec Selection Certificate with proof of an application for permanent residency or a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) with proof of an application for permanent residency.
6
Be headed up by at least one person from a community that is underrepresented in entrepreneurship (women, racialized people, immigrants, members of First Nations and Inuit communities, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community and people living with a disability), who must hold at least 25% of shares and votes and have a strategic position in the business.
*Evol reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to deny any loan application that does not meet its eligibility or economic viability criteria (see legal notes). Social economy enterprises are accepted under certain conditions.
What are the steps for obtaining a loan?
Before starting, we suggest you watch our video that provides detailed information about our financing and mentoring offer.
the main steps
1
Apply for financing using the loan application form.
2
Our team of experts analyzes and follows up on your application.
3
Your file is presented to the financing committee.
4
A loan is granted according to terms set out in the contract.
5
Mentoring and support are provided for the duration of the loan.
Are you ready to apply for financing for a business project?
Have your business plan and financial forecasts on hand before starting to fill out the form, which has eight sections. It takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete.
Do you need support before you apply for financing?
Are you eligible for our financing offer, but need support to finalize your business plan or other documents for a loan application (such as the proposed financial arrangement, earnings statement, two-year financial projections)?
You can get free help from one of our business advisors.
financing partners
Evol’s impact envelope
Thanks to partnerships with the Government of Québec, through its agent Investissement Québec, the Government of Canada, National Bank, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), the Fonds de solidarité FTQ and Fondaction.
Privacy policy
The collection and handling of personal information by Evol is subject to our Privacy Policy, which complies with an Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector. Our policy respects the principles set out by law regarding the collection, use, communication with or without consent, retention and destruction of personal information, while implementing appropriate security measures based on the nature and volume of the data. Information may only be shared with third parties as permitted by law. Additionally, Evol does not use personal data to create user profiles.
- Evol Financement reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to deny any loan application that does not meet its eligibility or economic viability criteria. The economic viability criteria are found in article 7.1 of Evol Financement’s Financing Policy (version adopted on March 26, 2024);
- This page is a summary of the main features of the Evol Financement financing vehicle and is not exhaustive;
- All loan applications are subject to a credit check and a criminal background check;
- Moratoriums are subject to certain conditions;
- Loan applications for businesses that propose a debt consolidation plan, a tax adjustment plan or that are at a pre-startup stage will be denied;
- Last updated September 3, 2025.