Canada Digital Adoption Program — Grow Your Business Online
Eligible businesses for the Grow Your Business Online grant must meet the following criteria:- Be a for-profit business, including for-profit social enterprises and cooperatives.- Registered or incorporated in Canada.- Be consumer-facing, selling goods and services directly to end consumers.- Have at least one employee (other than the owner) OR have at least $30,000 in annual revenue in the most recent tax year.- Commit to maintaining a digital adoption strategy for six months.- Agree to participate in follow-up surveys, share data regarding their experience, and allow their business name to be published as a grant recipient.Businesses that are NOT eligible include:- Corporate chains, franchises, or registered charities.- Representatives of multi-level marketing companies.- Brokerage firms, including real estate agents, investment advisors, or insurance agents.- Businesses engaged in online reselling or drop-shipping reliant on third-party suppliers.- Wholesale or distribution businesses and manufacturers unless they sell directly to consumers.
Overview
The Grow Your Business Online grant provides up to $2,400 to help businesses establish or enhance their e-commerce capabilities. Eligible activities include developing new e-commerce websites or adding functionalities like online ordering systems, electronic payments, and employing consultants for digital marketing strategies as part of an overall e-commerce plan.
At a glance
Funding available
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Develop an online presence
- Maximum amount : 2,400 $
- Up to 20% of project cost
Eligible candidates
- All industries
- Canada
- Financial cooperative
- Non-financial cooperative
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
- $ 30,000 minimum revenue
- All organization sizes
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
Next Steps
Activities funded
The Grow Your Business Online grant supports projects enhancing e-commerce capabilities for consumer-facing businesses. Eligible activities focus on establishing or improving online sales platforms and strategies.
- Development of a new e-commerce website or adding functionality to an existing site, such as online reservation/booking tools or payment systems.
- Installation and subscription to e-commerce platforms.
- Consulting services for digital marketing strategies integrated into an e-commerce plan.
- Software to manage inventory, sales, customer marketing, and loyalty programs.
- Improving cybersecurity measures with relevant e-commerce software.
- Allocation of up to 20% of the grant for costs related to e-commerce hardware and software.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
Eligible businesses for the Grow Your Business Online grant must meet the following criteria:- Be a for-profit business, including for-profit social enterprises and cooperatives.- Registered or incorporated in Canada.- Be consumer-facing, selling goods and services directly to end consumers.- Have at least one employee (other than the owner) OR have at least $30,000 in annual revenue in the most recent tax year.- Commit to maintaining a digital adoption strategy for six months.- Agree to participate in follow-up surveys, share data regarding their experience, and allow their business name to be published as a grant recipient.Businesses that are NOT eligible include:- Corporate chains, franchises, or registered charities.- Representatives of multi-level marketing companies.- Brokerage firms, including real estate agents, investment advisors, or insurance agents.- Businesses engaged in online reselling or drop-shipping reliant on third-party suppliers.- Wholesale or distribution businesses and manufacturers unless they sell directly to consumers.
Who is not eligible
This grant excludes certain types of businesses that do not align with the program's objectives. Companies with specific operational models or statuses are not eligible for this funding.
- Corporate chains, franchises, or registered charities.
- Representatives of multi-level marketing companies.
- Brokerage firms, such as real estate agents, investment advisors, and insurance agents.
- Businesses engaged in online reselling or drop-shipping reliant on third-party suppliers.
- Wholesale or distribution businesses and manufacturers, unless they sell directly to consumers.
Eligible expenses
The grant covers expenses that directly support the setup and enhancement of e-commerce activities.
- Development of a new e-commerce website or adding functionalities to an existing website, excluding redesigns.
- Installation of an e-commerce platform, including subscription fees/costs.
- Hiring consultants to assist with digital marketing strategies as part of a comprehensive e-commerce implementation plan.
- Using e-commerce software for inventory and sales tracking, customer marketing, discount offering, loyalty program maintenance, and cybersecurity enhancements.
- Covering up to 20% of costs related to necessary hardware and software that support e-commerce strategy execution.
Selection criteria
The CDAP Grow Your Business Online grant has evaluation and selection criteria to determine the eligibility of applicants. These include:
- Businesses must be SMEs.
- Applicants must demonstrate a clear need for digital technology adoption.
- Priority will be given to businesses looking to increase online presence, sales, and customer engagement.
- Applicants should outline how the grant will specifically benefit their business.
- Successful applicants will be required to provide progress reports on the implementation of digital technologies.
How to apply
Steps to apply for the Grow Your Business Online grant:
- Step 1: Review Eligibility Criteria
- Read the eligibility criteria to ensure your business qualifies for the program.
- Use the CDAP grant assessment tool to verify your eligibility.
- Step 2: Connect with Local Service Provider
- Identify and reach out to your local service provider associated with the program.
- Request assistance from an e-commerce advisor to help in your grant application process.
- Step 3: Prepare Application
- Gather all necessary information and documentation required for the application.
- Develop a detailed plan for the intended use of the grant, including e-commerce strategies.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Complete the grant application with the help of your e-commerce advisor.
- Submit the application through the designated process outlined by your local service provider.
- Step 5: Post-Submission
- Receive confirmation of your application submission.
- Prepare to respond to any follow-up surveys or requests for additional information.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The micro-grant requires that expenses must first be paid out of pocket by the business before they can be reimbursed, along with submission of invoices and proof of payment for reimbursement.
- Grant funds are not inclusive of taxes; only pre-tax expenses will be reimbursed.
- Enhanced website functionality, such as integrating e-commerce solutions, is eligible but a complete redesign is not.
- Hardware and non-e-commerce software costs are only covered up to 20% of the grant amount, equating to up to $480.
- Grants cannot be used to cover ongoing digital marketing expenses without a broader e-commerce implementation plan.
- E-commerce advisors will receive specific training to support small businesses effectively in digital adoption.