FTQ Trends 2024-2025: opportunities for Quebec SMEs
At a time when interest rates remain high and labor is in short supply, Quebec SMEs are more than ever in need of patient capital, strategic support and high-performance digital tools. Against this backdrop, the 2024-2025 trends linked to the QFL ecosystem (notably the Solidarity Fund QFL and its regional and sector-based funds) open up new, concrete opportunities for Quebec’s small and medium-sized enterprises. With over $18 billion in net assets in 2024 and nearly 3.5 million investor-shareholders, the Solidarity Fund QFL remains a major player in the financing of Québec companies, particularly in strategic sectors such as digitization, energy transition and business process modernization.[1] This article presents the major 2024-2025 trends in the FTQ ecosystem and explains how Quebec SMEs can take advantage of them, notably by combining financing, technological innovation (AI, e-commerce, CRM) and specialized support such as that offered by Nuaweb.
1. A 2024-2025 context marked by patient capital and digital transformation
In 2024, the Solidarity Fund QFL reaffirmed its role as a long-term partner to SMEs. According to its most recent results, the Fund and its network support more than 3,700 companies across Québec, with an investment horizon generally between 5 and 10 years, making it a source of patient capital particularly suited to digital transformation and innovation projects.[2]
At the same time, Statistics Canada reports that almost 90% of Canadian companies are SMEs, and around 50% of them say they have a gap to make up in terms of digitization (ERP, CRM, e-commerce, automation, AI). In this context, the 2024-2025 trends are structured around three major axes for Quebec SMEs:
- Intensified digital transformation: process automation, CRM implementation, analytics, generative AI and chatbots.
- Energy transition and operational efficiency: lower costs, higher productivity and compliance with new ESG standards.
- Strengthening financial resilience: diversification of revenue sources (e-commerce, digital services) and flexible financing.
The funds linked to the FTQ have clearly indicated that the digitization of SMEs andtechnological innovation are among their investment priorities for the coming years. For a company wishing to structure its online presence or implement a CRM system, this means that it is possible to finance not only equipment, but also digital projects such as: website creation, online store, digital infrastructure overhaul or implementation of artificial intelligence tools.
By working with a specialized agency like Nuaweb, SMEs can prepare a clear, costed digital plan aligned with investors’ expectations (regional funds, sector funds, etc.), which increases their chances of obtaining FTQ or complementary financing.
2. Financing digital transformation: a concrete opportunity for SMEs
A strong trend in 2024-2025 is to consider digital projects (website redesign, e-commerce, CRM, AI) as genuine strategic assets worthy of financing, and no longer as mere marketing expenses. The Solidarity Fund QFL and several regional funds are now focusing on supporting projects that improve the productivity and digital competitiveness of Quebec companies, particularly in the regions.
For an SME, this can mean envelopes to cover a significant part of its costs:
- the creation or redesign of professional websites aligned with SEO best practices, such as the services offered by Nuaweb;
- setting up a high-performance online store integrated with internal systems(e-commerce);
- CRM implementation to centralize customer data, track sales and automate marketing(CRM management);
- the development of AI chatbots and automation tools to respond faster to customers, 24/7(Nuaweb AI solutions).
According to a BDC study, companies that invest in digitization and data management increase their productivity by an average of 15-20%, and their sales growth rate by up to 18% over three years. For an institutional investor like the Solidarity Fund QFL, these kinds of measurable gains fully justify support for the financing of structuring digital projects.
In concrete terms, an SME wishing to take advantage of the FTQ 2024-2025 trends should :
- carry out a digital diagnosis: current state of the site, CRM, sales processes, data management, etc;
- define clear business objectives (e.g. +20% online sales, -30% manual tasks, improved customer retention);
- draw up a detailed digital investment plan with a partner like Nuaweb: timetable, budget, expected benefits ;
- submit this plan as part of an application for funding from the Fund or a regional fund.
This kind of approach shows FTQ analysts that the company is not just looking to survive, but to transform and grow, which is perfectly in line with current investment trends.
3. Automation, AI and CRM: at the heart of investment priorities
Another major 2024-2025 trend concernsprocess automation through AI, CRM and digital integrations. Quebec SMEs are facing a dual challenge: a shortage of manpower and competitive pressure, particularly from international players who are better equipped technologically. Against this backdrop, the FTQ and its partners strongly encourage projects that make it possible to do more with existing resources.
Targeted investments in the following areas are particularly well received by investors:
- Set up or modernize a CRM: centralize customer data, automate sales tracking and reporting. Solutions like those offered by Nuaweb Gestion CRM help structure the sales funnel, increase conversion rates and reduce administrative tasks.
- AI and chatbots: automated customer service, lead qualification, instant responses outside business hours. Nuaweb’s AI and chatbot solutions enable 24/7 service without massive hiring.
- E-commerce-CRM-accounting integration: reduce double data entry, improve margin visibility, automate invoicing and customer follow-up thanks to an integrated e-commerce platform.
According to several industry reports, including analyses published by BDC and Statistics Canada, SMEs that adopt AI and automation technologies early can observe:
- 10-25% reduction in operating costs;
- a significant improvement in customer satisfaction (response time, personalization) ;
- increased capacity to manage a rise in demand without proportional hiring.
For an investor like the Solidarity Fund QFL, these benefits translate into greater corporate resilience and potential long-term returns, which are perfectly aligned with its mission. SME decision-makers wishing to take advantage of these trends should therefore :
- document their current costs (time spent, errors, delays) ;
- evaluate the potential benefits of AI, CRM and automation;
- work with a partner like Nuaweb to build a solid, costed business case compatible with the expectations of an institutional backer.
This preparation considerably enhances the project’s credibility with funding organizations linked to the FTQ, and facilitates access to the capital needed to scale up.
4. How an SME can position itself to take advantage of FTQ trends
The 2024-2025 trends clearly demonstrate that QFL-related funds are looking to support SMEs capable of structuring, digitizing and innovating. For a small or medium-sized Quebec company, the challenge is less to “guess” what investors want than to present a clear, concrete and realistic plan showing how every dollar invested will generate value.
Here’s how to position yourself effectively:
- Clarify your business vision
Define where you want to be in 3 to 5 years: target markets, sales volume, share of online sales, productivity, geographic expansion. - Conduct a digital audit
With an expert like Nuaweb, review your website, online presence, internal tools (Excel, CRM, billing system), e-commerce and marketing infrastructure. - Identify high-impact projects
Typically: conversion-oriented website redesign, CRM implementation, e-commerce integration, AI-powered customer service automation, improved sales tracking. - Drawing up an investment plan
For each project, put a figure on the budget, expected gains (sales, time, error reduction), timetable and risks. A structured file is a major asset in discussions with financial partners such as the Solidarity Fund QFL. - Align your discourse with FTQ priorities
Focus on: creating and maintaining quality jobs in Quebec, improving productivity, digital innovation, sustainable growth, regional presence if applicable.
At the same time, it’s a good idea to prepare the company to execute projects quickly once financing has been secured. This is where the support of an agency like Nuaweb becomes strategic: from the outset, you have technical plans, mock-ups and a roadmap, which reassures financial partners.
To maximize your chances of success, you can :
- schedule a free consultation with Nuaweb to discuss your digital project and additional financing options;
- regularly inform you of calls for projects, regional funds and sector funds linked to the FTQ that target innovation and digital transformation;
- document your results (KPIs) to demonstrate the impact of your digital investments from the very first year.
Conclusion: turning FTQ trends into tangible growth for your SME
The 2024-2025 trends around the FTQ ecosystem confirm one thing: Quebec SMEs that are betting on digital transformation, automation and innovation now have more tools than ever to finance their ambitions. With an asset volume exceeding $18 billion, a network covering more than 3,700 companies and a clear commitment to supporting productivity and digitization, the Solidarity Fund QFL and its partners represent a strategic opportunity for local entrepreneurs.
To take full advantage of this, however, your company needs to present clear, structured projects that are aligned with your business objectives. This is exactly where Nuaweb can help: by transforming your ideas (website, e-commerce, CRM, AI, automation) into a concrete action plan that you can defend in front of your financial partners.
Whether you’re planning to create a new web platform, launch an online store, implement a high-performance CRM or automate part of your customer service thanks toAI, the Nuaweb team can help you build a solid, fundable project.
Ready to turn FTQ trends into growth levers for your SME? Schedule a free consultation with Nuaweb today to discuss your situation, your objectives and the digital solutions best suited to your business reality.
