How much funding can be received?

The digital plan will set out a series of actions involving the selection, purchase and integration of identified technological solutions. This is a crucial step in the digital turnaround of an SME. The project will enable a food processing company to draw up its action plan, choose the solution best suited to its context, select equipment and receive support in integrating the solutions.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

The Digital Transformation Offensive Program (OTN) offers financial support to help businesses in the Quebec food transformation sector enhance their digital capabilities. This grant aims to facilitate the adoption and integration of digital solutions in business processes.

Funding covers up to 85% of the expenses incurred for employee training in digital transformation.
Companies must invest 40% of the total project budget, ensuring a balanced co-financing approach.
A requirement of demonstrating a minimum prior year's revenue of $1 million ensures financial viability and readiness for digital transition.
Projects are expected to be completed within four months, with the possibility of reasonable extensions.

grant_single_labels|projects

The Digital Transformation Offensive Program (OTN) — Stream 1 aims to support food processing companies in Quebec by assisting them in their digital transition. The program is geared towards increasing productivity and competitiveness through digital solutions.

Selection, purchase, and integration of digital tools to support business processes.
Developing a digital action plan to assess digital maturity and aid in project planning.
Support in managing change, employee upskilling, and workforce training to ensure successful digital transformation.
Collaboration with digital transformation experts to implement the elements of the digital plan.
Participation in webinars and training sessions to address specific challenges identified in individual projects.
Access to specialized integrators for guidance throughout the digital transformation process.
Enhanced traceability and origin tracking of food products using digital tools.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 15,000

Selection and integration of digital tools in a confectionery company

$ 15,000

Developing digital skills for employees in a beverage bottling company

$ 15,000

Integration of AI for predictive quality control in a bakery located

$ 15,000

Automation of packaging line for a seafood processing company

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's business capacity and strategic planning.

The applicant must be a transformer within the food processing sector in Quebec.
The applicant must have completed a digital diagnostic, with potential support available from Investissement Québec.
A strategic planning exercise must be completed, including having a mission, vision, and development axes for the business.
The applicant must demonstrate the ability to invest 40% of the total project financing, amounting to $10,000 for a project maximum of $25,000.
The applicant must have the human resources to complete the digital transition within a short timeline.
The applicant must have achieved a minimum of $1 million in revenue during the previous financial year.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The grant is specifically targeted towards companies in the food processing sector in Quebec. To be eligible to apply, an organization must be classified as a food processor, meaning it works with food that is no longer in its raw or fresh state. Associated sectors and suppliers like transportation, packaging, or technology solutions are not considered food processors and hence cannot apply. Applicants must have completed a digital diagnostic and a strategic planning exercise, be able to invest 40% of the total project costs, have a minimum turnover of $1 million from the previous financial year, and possess the human resources to complete the undertaking within a specified timeframe.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions aim to ensure that funds are directed toward strategic sectors aligned with the grant's objectives.

Agricultural sectors and related industries.
Suppliers in transport or packaging sectors.
Providers of technological solutions.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The grant covers expenses directly associated with the digital transformation process for companies in the food processing sector.

Selection, purchase, and integration of identified technological solutions.
Change management, employee upskilling, and workforce training costs.
Consulting and expert advisory services for implementing the digital transformation plan.
Development and execution of a digital strategy including a digital maturity assessment.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is specifically aimed at companies in a particular region to support their digital transformation efforts. Eligible companies must be located within the specified geographical area as per the guidelines.

Companies must be situated in the province of Quebec, Canada.

grant_single_labels|criteria

Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Below is a summary followed by the detailed criteria in bullet point form:

To be eligible for the grant, the applicant must be a transformative food processing company and meet specific financial and operational requirements. The eligibility depends on completing a digital diagnosis and planning strategic initiatives to demonstrate the company’s preparedness and willingness to invest in the digital transition.

Complete a digital diagnosis (Investissement Québec offers a subsidy for this).
Complete a strategic planning exercise (must include a defined mission, vision, and development axes).
Demonstrate the ability to invest 40% of the total project funding, i.e., $10,000 on a project worth a maximum of $25,000.
Have human resources available to complete the project within a short period.
Have achieved a minimum revenue of $1M in the previous financial year.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for the grant:

Step 1: Preliminary Preparation
Ensure your company qualifies as a food processor in Quebec.
Conduct a digital diagnosis of your company.
Complete a strategic planning exercise outlining mission, vision, and development axes.
Step 2: Financial Assessment
Verify your financial ability to invest 40% of the project cost.
Ensure the availability of human resources to complete the project within the required timeline.
Confirm that your previous fiscal year’s revenue was at least $1M.
Step 3: Application Form Completion
Fill out the prequalification form to confirm eligibility.
Complete the detailed application form, outlining the project plan and milestones.
Gather all necessary supporting documents as listed in the program guidelines.
Step 4: Submission
Email your completed application and all attachments to otn@conseiltaq.com.
Include any additional requested documentation as stipulated in the submission guidelines.
Step 5: Follow-up
After submission, contact Sylvie Bouchard, vice-president of business development, for any queries.
Keep track of submission confirmation and any feedback or requests for additional information.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Sensitization initiatives include webinars, articles, case studies, and training sessions to help companies understand digital transformation.
A Second Digital Transformation Summit was held in September 2023 to further discuss digital strategies.
Change management training for employees is crucial for successful project implementation, with funding available for up to 85% of training expenses through MTESS contact.
Selected integrators like Coboom and Productique Québec can provide support, but they should not be solution providers themselves.
Projects must demonstrate a commitment to reaching digital maturity within 16 weeks, although reasonable extensions are possible.
The program runs until June 30, 2025, requiring timely project completion.

grant_single_labels|contact

otn@conseiltaq.com

450-349-1521

Apply to this program

Boost Your Business with Digital Transformation Grants

Explore the opportunity to enhance your food processing operations through the Offensive Transformation Numérique (OTN) grant, offered by the Government of Quebec in collaboration with the Conseil de la transformation alimentaire du Québec (CTAQ). This grant is specially designed for food processing companies looking to implement digital solutions and increase competitiveness in the sector.

In-Depth Information About the OTN Grant and Its Significance

As the global business environment evolves, the importance of digital transformation becomes ever more pronounced, particularly in the manufacturing and processing industries. In Quebec, the Offensive Transformation Numérique (OTN) grant represents a pivotal opportunity for food processing companies to stay competitive and thrive. The OTN grant, a joint venture between the Quebec government and the Conseil de la transformation alimentaire du Québec (CTAQ), offers $2.64 million in funding to support these companies in their digital transition journey.

The program acknowledges the essential role of digital advancements in enhancing business competitiveness and productivity. With the increasing demand for efficiency and innovation, digital tools are no longer optional but necessary for companies intending to maintain and grow their market presence. This grant explicitly focuses on aiding Quebec's food processing sector to implement digital solutions, thereby fostering advancements in automation, data management, and technology integration.

One of the primary goals of the OTN program is to enable food processing enterprises to tackle critical industry challenges through digital transformation. These challenges include improving productivity, addressing labor shortages through automation, ensuring food supply continuity, and enhancing product traceability using digital tools. By doing so, these companies can not only address current operational bottlenecks but also position themselves strategically for future growth.

The program divides eligible projects into two interlinked but distinct components. The first component involves guiding companies through the selection, purchase, and integration of digital tools, ensuring that these solutions are best suited to the unique needs of each business. This extensive support ensures that food processors can effectively map out their action plans, select appropriate technologies, and execute their digitalization in a structured and supported manner.

The second component focuses on the optimization of newly implemented digital solutions, which includes data warehousing, implementing business intelligence (BI) approaches, and exploring opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI). By adopting these advanced technological practices, companies can extract more value from their digital investments, leading to better decision-making and innovative capabilities.

Successful digital transformation involves more than just technology implementation; it requires significant changes in management practices, work processes, and workforce skills. Therefore, the program also emphasizes change management and workforce training as crucial elements to a successful company-wide digital transformation. The grant could cover substantial portions of training expenses, thereby easing the financial burden on companies and enhancing their capacity for successful transformation.

Ultimately, the OTN grants provide a significant advantage for eligible food processing companies by offering financial resources, expert guidance, and strategic frameworks to navigate and capitalize on the digital transformation. By participating, businesses can ensure they remain at the forefront of innovation, thereby securing their competitivity in both local and global markets.