OCI — Technology Demonstration Program (TDP)

• The applicant must be an Ontario-based, for-profit small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).
• The company must have between 1 and 499 employees.
• The SME must have completed a Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) project.
• The project must focus on adopting and implementing the digital technologies identified in the company’s DMAP.
• The SME must have generated at least $500,000 in annual revenue in one of the last three tax years.

Who is eligible?

• Ontario-based for-profit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with between 1–499 employees
• SMEs that have completed a Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) project
• SMEs with at least $500,000 of annual revenue in one of the last three tax years

Who is not eligible

Yes, there are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant.

• 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

Eligible expenses

The grant focuses on promoting digital modernization and adoption among Ontario SMEs, while facilitating technological advancements and commercialization of Ontario-made digital technologies. Eligible projects concentrate on understanding digital needs, implementing tailored digital plans, and adopting identified technologies for growth.

• Creation of a Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) tailored to specific SME needs.
• Adoption and implementation of digital technologies identified in the DMAP to accelerate SME growth.
• Commercialization of technologies developed in Ontario through digital transformation.

Eligible geographic areas

• Businesses located in Ontario, Canada.

Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Applications are internally reviewed for eligibility, completeness, and financial compliance, prior to evaluation by external reviewers with domain expertise from academia and industry.

• Evaluation of digital maturity and current capabilities.
• Clarity of the need for digital modernization.
• Capacity for and prioritization of investing in digital technology adoption.
• Significance of the opportunity, expected growth potential, and economic benefit to the SME and Ontario.
• Ability of the vendor’s digital solution to address the SME's digital gaps.
• Expertise and experience of team members, and evidence of collaboration.
• Vendor's potential role and impact on accelerating growth and path to market.
• Clarity, feasibility, and appropriateness of the project plan and budget.
• Overall quality and completeness of the application.

• The Technology Demonstration Program is part of the Digitalization Competence Centre, a Government of Ontario initiative led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation.
• The program is currently closed for applications, according to the most recent information provided.
• Applicants must have completed a Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) project before participating in the Technology Demonstration Program.
• Standardized templates (Program Guidelines, Eligible Expenses Guidelines, Proposal, Letter of Support, Reimbursement) are made available specifically for this program.