Web Presence Assistance

This grant provides financial support to eligible Prince Edward Island businesses and local not-for-profits to develop a web presence or upgrade their existing sites, with specific contribution limits based on the scope of the project. Financing is structured to share costs and encourage digital expansion.

• Innovation PEI contributes up to 50% of eligible project costs.
• Tier 1 projects, for non-e-commerce sites of businesses without an existing website, receive a maximum contribution of $1000.
• Tier 2 projects, which include creating or upgrading to an e-commerce site, are eligible for up to $2500.
• The total funding from all non-repayable governmental sources must not exceed 75% of the total eligible project costs.

Eligibility for Web Presence Assistance requires businesses or local not-for-profit organizations to meet specific geographical and project criteria.

• The applicant must be a business or local not-for-profit organization located in Prince Edward Island.
• The applicant does not have an existing website, or is upgrading an existing website to add e-commerce for the first time.
• The applicant should not have defaulted outstanding debt obligations on file in the Province’s Central Default Registry.
• The applicant must not have received Web Presence Assistance funding from Innovation PEI in the prior two years.
• Fishers, farmers, realty companies, banks, and financial companies are ineligible to apply.

Who is eligible?

Who is not eligible

This grant is not available to certain businesses due to specific restrictions or the nature of their activities. The goal is to allocate resources effectively to sectors that align with the program's objectives.

• Applicants with an existing e-commerce website that wish to enhance their e-commerce functionality.
• Businesses listed with debts in the Province's Central Default Registry.
• Businesses that have received Web Presence Assistance funding from Innovation PEI in the last two years.
• Fishers, farmers, and realty companies, including commercial/residential landlords and developers.
• Banks and financial institutions, including pawnbrokers, payday loan providers, cheque cashing services, and white label ATM operators.

Eligible expenses

This assistance program supports Prince Edward Island businesses and not-for-profits in establishing or enhancing their online presence. The eligible activities focus on the creation or upgrade of websites, particularly aiming to incorporate e-commerce functionalities.

• Registration of a domain name.
• Design, development, and hosting of a new website.
• Upgrading an existing website to include first-time e-commerce capabilities.
• Inclusion of search engine and mobile optimization, scheduling functions, voice technology, and chatbot features in the website design.
• Social media integration and online advertising to support the new website launch, if included in the application.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available specifically for businesses and not-for-profits located in a particular region of Canada. The eligible geographical area ensures alignment with local economic development objectives.

• Companies and organizations based in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Web Presence Assistance grant are not explicitly based on point-scored criteria; instead, they are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis given that the application is complete.

• Timeliness and completeness of the application submission.
• Compliance with application requirements as set out by Innovation PEI.
• No suspicion or detection of fraudulent intent by Innovation PEI.