OCI — Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan program
ON, Canada
Support for digital modernization for SMEs in Ontario
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Grant and Funding
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- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
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- Government of Ontario
- Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
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Receive up to $15,000 to cover up to 50% of the eligible costs to develop a digital adoption plan for your company. You will be able to access services of a knowledge centre focused on assisting SMEs with digital modernization and literacy through educati
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This grant supports Ontario-based SMEs to create a Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) by covering costs associated with hiring an approved Digital Adoption Consultant (DAC) to facilitate digital adoption and drive productivity.
- Generating an effective Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan
- Retaining services of an approved Digital Adoption Consultant
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$15,000
Ottawa
Implement a digital inventory management system for a small logistics firm.
$15,000
Calgary
Adopt a digital customer relationship management (CRM) platform for an accounting firm.
$15,000
Vancouver
Design a digital marketing strategy for a non-profit community theatre.
$15,000
Toronto
Develop a comprehensive e-commerce plan for a local retail store.
$15,000
Edmonton
Set up digital financial management tools for a small cooperative.
$15,000
Halifax
Develop a digital fundraising strategy for a local charity.
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To be eligible for the Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) program, Ontario SMEs must meet specific applicant and project criteria.
- Be incorporated federally or provincially with a valid Business Number
- Be a for-profit, privately owned business
- Have between 1 – 499 full-time equivalent employees
- Have a change management culture and structure that values growth and innovation, willingness to review/adopt new technologies to support scaling
- Have the ability and willingness to invest resources
- Have the capability to implement and internally sustain new technologies
- Be able to express why they need a digital strategy and recognize its importance in guiding change
- Have a permanent establishment in Ontario
- Must contract with an eligible Digital Adoption Consultant (DAC) from the DCC roster
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Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. The program specifies that eligible companies must meet certain criteria to apply successfully.
- Be incorporated federally or provincially with a valid Business Number.
- Be a for-profit, privately owned business.
- Have between 1 – 499 full-time equivalent employees.
- Have a change management culture and structure that values growth and innovation.
- Have the ability and willingness to invest resources.
- Have the capability to implement and internally sustain new technologies.
- Be able to express why they need a digital strategy and recognize its importance in guiding change.
- Have a permanent establishment in Ontario.
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Yes, there are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant.
The following types of small businesses are ineligible:
- Businesses engaged in consumer-facing retail or e-commerce operations
- Corporate chains, franchises, or registered charities
- Representatives of multi-level marketing companies
- Real estate brokerages
- Not-for-profits
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Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant. To qualify, expenses must be related to the development of a Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP).
- Costs for retaining the services of an approved Digital Adoption Consultant (DAC)
- Expenses related to the creation and submission of the Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan
- Consultant fees for digital strategy development
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The eligible geographic zone for this grant is Ontario, Canada.
- Ontario-based for-profit SMEs with between 1-499 employees
- Must have a permanent establishment in Ontario
- Open to Ontario-based SMEs in various sectors that are not involved in consumer-facing retail or e-commerce operations, corporate chains, franchises, registered charities, multi-level marketing companies, real estate brokerages, or not-for-profits
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Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Applications will be evaluated against assessments including digital maturity, opportunity significance, growth potential, and more.
- Evaluation of digital maturity, where the DCC client is at in terms of digital advancement and current capabilities
- Clarity of the need for a digital modernization and adoption plan
- Significance of the opportunity, expected growth potential and economic benefit to the SME and Ontario (e.g., job creation/retention, new revenues, new customers, follow-on investment, and productivity increases)
- Capacity for and prioritization of investing in the adoption of digital technologies
- Evidence of next steps, and clear strategy and capacity to bring the results and/or implement the plan
- Expertise and experience of the team members along with clarity of roles and responsibilities
- Clarity, feasibility and appropriateness of the project plan and budget
- Overall quality and completeness of the application
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- Step 1: Applications MUST be initiated in AccessOCI by an OCI Business Development Manager (BDM) or an OCI DAA. Once initiated, the Applicant will receive login information to begin completing the application.
- Step 2: Complete the online application form and upload the required supporting documents, including:
- Resumes/CVs from relevant team members
- Letter of support from external DAC on the Roster
- Additional supporting documents that may be relevant
- Step 3: Request your BDM/DAA to provide an endorsement of the application. Once the endorsement is provided, the applicant or BDM/DAA will then be able to submit the application.
- Step 4: OCI will internally review the application within approximately one week for eligibility, completeness, and financial compliance. A list of any deficiencies will be sent to the applicant for revision.
- Step 5: Once the application is endorsed as eligible and complete by OCI’s internal team, the application will be sent for review to an external committee comprising subject matter experts.
- Step 6: Applicants will be notified of OCI’s decision regarding funding by email.
- Step 7: Once the application is approved for funding, the applicant will be forwarded a copy of OCI’s standard funding agreement, with an embedded copy of the submitted application and Schedule D, for execution. This funding agreement must be signed, via OCI’s online electronic signature function, by the applicant and returned to OCI.
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The Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) grant helps Ontario SMEs improve their digital strategies and adoption with up to $15,000 in funding. The program emphasizes digital literacy, competitiveness, and connection to funding partners.
- OCI Contribution: 50% of total eligible project costs, up to $15,000
- Applicant Contribution: Minimum 50% of total eligible project costs
- Eligibility: SMEs must have between 1-499 full-time employees and be able to invest resources
- Ineligible: Consumer-facing retail, e-commerce operations, corporate chains, franchises, not-for-profits, and certain other business types
- Required: Collaboration with an eligible Digital Adoption Consultant from the DCC roster
- Application: Must be initiated through a Business Development Manager or Digital Adoption Advisor
- Project Reporting: Retain invoices, submit a final report, and complete annual retrospective surveys for three years
- Evaluation Criteria: Digital maturity, growth potential, investment capacity, and overall project quality
- Contact for inquiries: Chris Ritchie (Business Development Manager Lead) and Vahid Sadr (Program Manager)
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critchie@oc-innovation.ca
Apply to this program
DCC Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) Overview
The Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) is a program designed to help Ontario-based Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) understand their technology needs, guide their digital transformation, and optimize their technology investments. SMEs can receive up to $15,000 in reimbursement funds to develop a digital adoption plan with the assistance of a Digital Adoption Consultant (DAC).
Understanding the DMAP Grant: A Comprehensive Guide for Ontario SMEs
In today's fast-paced digital world, keeping up with technological advancements is crucial for businesses of all sizes. For Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), this journey towards digital transformation can be challenging without the right guidance and resources. This is where the Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) steps in. Offered under Ontario's Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC), the DMAP grant is curated to support SMEs in understanding and adopting digital technologies that propel their growth and competitiveness.
The DMAP program is part of a broader initiative by the DCC, aimed at driving the digital modernization of Ontario SMEs. It seeks to bolster digital literacy, accelerate digital adoption, and enhance the technological capabilities of businesses operating in Ontario. This guide delves into the intricacies of the DMAP grant, explaining its objectives, benefits, eligibility requirements, and the application process.
Program Objectives and Benefits
The primary objective of the DMAP program is to aid Ontario-based SMEs in creating a robust digital strategy tailored to their unique needs. By doing so, the program helps businesses in several ways:
- Support Digital Literacy: The DMAP program educates SMEs on the benefits and potential of digital adoption, enabling them to make informed decisions about their technological investments.
- Accelerate Digital Adoption: By providing financial support and access to expert consultants, the program accelerates the adoption of new digital technologies, helping SMEs stay competitive in the digital economy.
- Enhance Competitiveness: With an effective digital strategy, SMEs can modernize their solutions, optimize operations, and minimize costs, thereby enhancing their market competitiveness.
- Economic Growth and Job Creation: The program fosters economic growth by increasing productivity and creating new job opportunities within the participating businesses.
Receiving up to $15,000 in reimbursement grants to develop a digital adoption plan is a significant financial boost for SMEs. This grant can cover the costs of hiring an approved Digital Adoption Consultant (DAC) who will work with the business to devise a digital strategy aligned with their goals.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the DMAP program, SMEs must meet certain eligibility criteria:
- The applicant must be an Ontario-based, for-profit, privately-owned business.
- The business should have between 1 and 499 full-time equivalent employees.
- The applicant must have a valid Business Number and be incorporated federally or provincially.
- Businesses should demonstrate a change management culture and structure that values growth, innovation, and the willingness to adopt new technologies.
- The SME must be willing and able to invest resources and internally sustain new technologies post-adoption.
Certain types of businesses are ineligible for the DMAP grant. These include consumer-facing retail or e-commerce businesses, corporate chains, franchises, registered charities, representatives of multi-level marketing companies, real estate brokerages, and not-for-profit organizations.
The Role of Digital Adoption Consultants (DACs)
DACs play a crucial role in the DMAP program. These consultants are selected from the DCC Roster to ensure they possess the required expertise and experience in digital technologies. SMEs must contract with a DAC from the approved roster to develop their Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan. If a business prefers to work with a consultant not on the roster, the consultant must apply and qualify for the roster before the business can proceed with the DMAP grant application.
Application Process and Timelines
The DMAP application process is designed to be straightforward, with ongoing acceptance of applications. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the application process:
- Initiate the Application: Applications must be initiated through AccessOCI by an OCI Business Development Manager (BDM) or an OCI Digital Adoption Advisor (DAA). Prospective applicants can submit a Client Intake Form to connect with a BDM or DAA.
- Opportunity Assessment: Once the BDM/DAA assesses the opportunity and deems it suitable for the program, the applicant will receive login details for OCI’s online application system, AccessOCI.
- Complete the Application: The applicant completes the online application form and uploads the required supporting documents, including resumes/CVs of relevant team members and a letter of support from the selected DAC.
- Application Endorsement: The BDM/DAA provides an endorsement for the application. Once endorsed, the application is submitted for internal review.
- Internal Review: OCI reviews the application for eligibility, completeness, and financial compliance. Any deficiencies will be communicated for revision.
- External Committee Review: Eligible and complete applications are forwarded to an external committee of subject matter experts for evaluation.
- Funding Decision: Applicants are notified of the funding decision via email. Approved applicants receive a funding agreement for execution.
It is essential to note that the OCI Funding Agreement is non-negotiable. Upon execution, the project is activated, and the applicant can proceed with the next steps.
Flow of Funds and Reporting
The DMAP operates on a reimbursement model. Here’s how the funding flow works:
- Upon successful completion of the project and approval of the final claim report, OCI releases the grant funds.
- SMEs must submit their completed DMAP and the invoice/documentation from the contracted DAC to receive the grant amount.
- Funding is released directly to the SME, which is responsible for paying the DAC.
Robust project reporting is a contractual obligation for receiving funds. The reporting requirements include:
- Submitting a final report with proof of expenditures, financial attestation, and project milestones.
- Including a complete Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) in the final report.
- Completing a retrospective survey annually for three years post-project completion to assess the impact and outcomes of the program.
Applicants must also promptly communicate any material changes to the project, such as changes in the DAC, scope, budget, or timeline. For significant variances or extensions, a Project Change Request form must be completed and approved by OCI.
Conclusion
The Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) is more than just a funding opportunity; it is a strategic initiative aimed at empowering Ontario SMEs to thrive in the digital age. By providing financial support, expert guidance, and access to cutting-edge digital technologies, the DMAP program paves the way for businesses to achieve sustained growth, competitiveness, and innovation. For SMEs ready to embrace digital transformation, the DMAP grant offers a compelling blueprint for success in a digitally-driven economy.
For further information or to begin your application process, contact a Business Development Manager or Digital Adoption Advisor at OCI. Accelerate your business's digital journey with the DMAP program and secure your place at the forefront of Ontario's digital transformation.