Digital Services Program

Who is eligible?

Businesses in Manitoba that are owned and operated locally, meeting specific criteria such as incorporation under Manitoba laws, a minimum level of investment in digital technology, and a certain number of full-time employees, are eligible to apply for the Digital Services Program. Applicants must also respect human rights and legal standards, not be publicly traded, and meet several other specific conditions outlined by the program.

Who is not eligible

This grant is not available to certain types of businesses and entities based on their ownership structure, main activities, or affiliations. The restrictions ensure that the program supports businesses that align with specific provincial goals and community standards.

• Businesses that have a class of shares publicly traded on a stock exchange.
• Majority or wholly owned subsidiaries, branches, or sales offices of national or multinational corporations.
• Government organizations or bodies, other than Indigenous entities or bodies.
• Entities where equity interests are held by any current member of the Government of Manitoba, Parliament of Canada, or the Senate of Canada, unless the equity interests are publicly traded.
• Businesses that promote violence, incite hatred, or discriminate based on race, origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.
• Businesses dealing with content that is sexually explicit or promotes sexual exploitation.
• Companies that have pled guilty to or been convicted of tax evasion or a criminal offence.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers expenses that are charged by the Digital Service Provider directly to the Digital Manitoba Initiative for creating the pre-approved work product.

• Expenses charged by the Digital Service Provider for creating the pre-approved work product outlined in the statement of work.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies located within Manitoba, as defined by the specifics of the funding body. The eligibility is confined to businesses operating in Manitoba to foster regional digital adaptation.

• Companies based in the province of Manitoba.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• DMI covers 100 per cent of the cost for a pre-established scope of work outlined in the statement of work signed prior to service delivery, which includes Business Technology Assessment, Cybersecurity Audit, and Digital Legal Services.
• The program does not cover the cost for implementation of recommendations or additional services outside of the program's scope.
• All meetings are conducted remotely unless specified otherwise.
• The Digital Service Provider must provide non-prescriptive technology recommendations and remain technology agnostic.
• The final report created by the Service Provider belongs to the participant.
• Cybersecurity firms must remove all client data from their systems upon completion and presentation of the final report.
• DMI reserves the right to request reports created through the Digital Services Program.