Closed
Source verified April 10, 2026
Alberta Innovates — Alberta Digital Traction Program
Non-dilutive funding for Alberta digital tech SMEs
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Funding available
$ 50,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
Alberta Innovates’ Alberta Digital Traction Program provides up to $50,000 in non-dilutive funding to help Alberta-based digital tech SMEs with software development at the core increase customers, grow revenue, and scale to global markets. Eligible projects include milestone-based work that advances product/market fit and traction, supported by business coaching and investment agreement-based funding.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Access new markets
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- $ 1,000,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
- 50 employees maximum
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Market validation projects to test a minimum viable product (MVP) with customers and advance toward product/market fit.
- Customer discovery and traction-building projects aimed at increasing customer acquisition, activation, retention, referral, and revenue.
- Commercialization acceleration projects that combine business and technical activities to help scale a digital technology toward global markets.
- Agile, milestone-based product and business development projects (up to three milestones) that can be adjusted based on learnings during the project term.
- Projects designed to strengthen go-to-market readiness and demonstrate traction to support follow-on investment and capital raising.
Documents Needed
- Program application form
- Current financial information
- Project team and management details
- Milestone plan and project activities
- Investment agreement documents
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Alberta-based digital technology SMEs
- For-profit companies with software development at the core
Who is not eligible
- Companies that are not Alberta-based.
- Organizations that are not for-profit.
- Businesses that do not rely on software development as a core part of their products or services.
- Companies that have already received Digital Traction funding.
- Applicants not in good standing with Alberta Innovates or prohibited from receiving its funding.
Eligible expenses
- Labour costs (gross wages or salaries at reasonable market rates) for individuals specifically identified as performing work directly attributable to the project (excluding general overhead).
- Materials costs that can be specifically identified and quantified as incurred to perform the project activities (valued at the lower of cost or fair market value).
- Software or information database acquisitions that are critical to the project (cost pro-rated over the project period; valued at the lower of cost or fair market value).
- Advertising costs for data-based marketing strategies for customer discovery purposes directly related to the project.
- Sub-contractor costs at fair market rates where the sub-contractor’s work is directly related to the project.
- Additional direct operating costs (at reasonable market rates) that can be specifically identified and quantified as incurred in performing project activities.
- Unrecoverable GST, only where it is levied on otherwise eligible expenses and the applicant is not otherwise reimbursed.
- Other costs that Alberta Innovates pre-approves in writing as eligible expenses.
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta
Selection criteria
- Fit with the program objectives and intended outcomes.
- Business opportunity.
- Founding team.
- Financial position.
- Overall return to Alberta.
How to apply
- Step 1: Connect with Alberta Innovates
- Use the Connect With Us form to start the process.
- An Alberta Innovates business expert or Technology Development Advisor will review your details and contact you.
- Step 2: Prepare your application
- Review the program guide.
- Prepare the information requested in the application, including project details, team details, milestones, and current financial state.
- Step 3: Submit online
- Access the SmartSimple online portal.
- Current clients can submit application forms through the portal.
- Submit the completed application online.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed against the program objectives and intended outcomes.
- Alberta Innovates staff and external expert reviewers assess the application.
- Approved applicants must sign a standard Investment Agreement before funding is paid.
- Funding is released after milestone reports are received and approved.
- Declined applicants may re-apply once to address deficiencies.
Additional information
- Alberta Innovates may publish non-confidential information such as the applicant name, program name, project title, non-confidential project summary, project period dates, and the amount of the investment.
- Applicants may be asked to provide follow-up performance information (e.g., via surveys and reporting metrics) during the project term and for up to five years after the term.
- Alberta Innovates may perform due diligence on applicant companies and their principals (e.g., corporate, bankruptcy, and litigation searches), and applicants must clear Alberta Innovates’ risk screening.
- Alberta Innovates is subject to Alberta access-to-information legislation, meaning records related to the project may be requested through an access process (with applicable exceptions to disclosure potentially applying).
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Alberta Innovates — Alberta Digital Traction Program Program
What is the Alberta Innovates — Alberta Digital Traction Program?
Alberta Innovates’ Alberta Digital Traction Program provides up to $50,000 in non-dilutive funding to help Alberta-based digital tech SMEs with software development at the core increase customers, grow revenue, and scale to global markets. Eligible projects include milestone-based work that advances product/market fit and traction, supported by business coaching and investment agreement-based funding.
How much funding can be received?
Alberta Innovates — Alberta Digital Traction Program Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Alberta Innovates — Alberta Digital Traction Program program?
To be eligible for the Alberta Innovates — Alberta Digital Traction Program program, you must:
Alberta-based digital tech company
For-profit SME registered in Alberta
Under 50 employees and $1M revenue
What expenses are eligible under Alberta Innovates — Alberta Digital Traction Program?
Market validation projects to test a minimum viable product (MVP) with customers and advance toward product/market fit.
Customer discovery and traction-building projects aimed at increasing customer acquisition, activation, retention, referral, and revenue.
Commercialization acceleration projects that combine business and technical activities to help scale a digital technology toward global markets.
Agile, milestone-based product and business development projects (up to three milestones) that can be adjusted based on learnings during the project term.
Projects designed to strengthen go-to-market readiness and demonstrate traction to support follow-on investment and capital raising.
Who can I contact for more information about the Alberta Innovates — Alberta Digital Traction Program?
You can contact Government of Alberta by email at intake@albertainnovates.ca or by phone at 403-210-5229.
Where is the Alberta Innovates — Alberta Digital Traction Program available?
The Alberta Innovates — Alberta Digital Traction Program program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the Alberta Innovates — Alberta Digital Traction Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Alberta Innovates — Alberta Digital Traction Program is a Grant and Funding