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7 grants to support your digital transition

Do you feel it is time to make a major “digital shift”? You are right! The rise of digital technology has profoundly altered consumer habits, so much so that optimizing your web presence had become a major challenge for many companies. The good news is that you are not alone! There are many grants available to support your company’s digital transition and help you develop your business activities on the web.

Because it is sometimes hard to find your way around, we have put together a short guide to the subsidies available in Quebec!

Canadian Digital Adoption Program
Momentum Fund
CanExport SMEs
ESSOR Program
Regional Economic Growth for Innovation (REGI)
Mauricie Acceleration and Growth Program

Canadian Digital Adoption program

The Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) is a program offered by the Canadian government to help the country’s Small and Medium-sized Entreprises (SMEs) make and succeed in their ‘Digital Shift.’

Offered by the Canadian Government to help the country’s SMEs make, and above all succeed in, their digital transition, the Canadian Digital Adoption Program is a great way to finance your projects.

Eligibility criteria :

Be a registered or incorporated for-profit Canadian business;
Sell good or offer services directly to consumers (B2C)
Have at least one employee OR at least $30,000 in annual revenue in the last fiscal year;
Be accessible to customers or provide services in person or online;
Commit to maintaining the digital adoption strategy for at least six months;
Agree to participate in follow-up surveys, to have their information sent to the Government of Canada, and to have their name published as a funding recipient.

How can this program help you finance your digital transition?

By financing:

The creation of a new website:
Implementation of a digital e-commerce plan (reservation tools, online ordering system, electronic payments, etc)
Web advertising;
Creation of an e-platform:

How much can you get?

- Up to $2400!

Momentum Fund

Created as a part of the post-Covid-19 economic recovery, the momentum fund is an initiative of Desjardins. This financial aid is designed to support the economic growth of companies, including the financing of a digital transition project.

Eligibility criteria:

Have a Desjardings bank account;
Operate in the retail,manufacturing, agricultural or agri-food sectors;
Have an eligible project;

How can this program help you finance your digital transition?

By financing:

A project to accelerate the company’s digital transition to enable its survival by increasing online sales;
A project to simplify and optimize processes IT solutions (installation of an ERP, CRM, etc.):
The addition of new distribution channels (e-commerce, for example)
The use of time banks for digital transformation consulting.

What is the amount?

25% of project costs:
Up to a maximum of $20,000.

Marketing and Export Support Program

The Marketing and Export Support Program is an initiative by Investissement Québec which consists of several components, offering various grant opportunities to facilitate digital transition.

The first component aims at assisting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in marketing their products within the Quebec market. The second component is designed to help them expand their export capabilities beyond the Quebec market. Meanwhile, the third component’s objective is to support businesses with an annual revenue of over 100 million dollars in establishing a lasting presence in international markets.

Eligibility criteria:

Being a Quebec-based or a Canadian company with a presence in Quebec.
Having a minimum annual revenue of 100 million dollars (for the third component)

How can this program help you finance your digital transition?

By financing:

The implementation and execution of a digital marketing plan (including advertising expenses and the installation of various tools)
Obtaining advice and training

What is the amount?

50% of eligible expenses, up to $250 000.

CanExport SMEs

CanExport SMEs is a program offered by the Government of Canada, aimed at supporting Canadian businesses in their efforts to expand into global markets. It is possible to use this grant to finance digital development abroad.

Eligibility criteria:

Be a for-profit Canadian company
Or a corporate entity incorporated as a corporation
Or a limited liability company
Or a cooperative
Have fewer than 500 full-time employees
Have reported revenues ranging from $100,000 to $100 million in the last fiscal year.

How can this program help you finance your digital transition?

By financing:

Web advertising
Optimization of your website and content for search engines (SEO)
Translation, creation, or adaptation of marketing materials

What amount?

Up to 50% of eligible expenses

ESSOR Program

The goal of the ESSOR program is to support the development of rapidly growing businesses. It is a comprehensive program with multiple components designed to help businesses accelerate their growth or productivity, expand internationally, execute investment projects, and reduce their environmental footprint. The program provides opportunities for grants and financing to facilitate a digital transition.

Eligibility criteria:

Be a for-profit business legally registered in Quebec, or be a for-profit business legally registered in Canada with a presence in Quebec.

How can this program help you finance your digital transition?

By financing:

Developing a digital transition plan
Implementing a digital transition plan
Investment projects for business growth (involving at least $100,000 in eligible expenses)

What amount?

No-repayable grant of 50% of eligible expenses (up to $100,000);
Or a repayable contribution;
Or a loan;
Other forms of grants and assistance are also available

The ESSOR program is an extensive and offers numerous possibilities. To fully leverage its potential, it is advisable to contact an Investissement Québec advisor!

Regional Economic Growth through Innovation

The REGI program aims to boost productivity, growth, and innovation in businesses to ensure sustainable growth. It can be highly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), non-profit organizations (NOPs), and cooperatives looking to pivot towards digital operations.

Eligibility criteria:

SMEs
Cooperatives
NPOs
Business support organizations
Indigenous organizations

Unfortunately, the following are excluded:

Retail business
Transportation services
Construction services for individuals
Daycare services
Aesthetic and hairdressing salons
Night establishments (bars, nightclubs; cabarets, etc)
Restaurant services

How can this program help you finance your digital transition?

By financing :

Equipping acquisition
Advertising campaigns (expanding into new markets or promoting products or services)
Acquisition of certain software
Acquisition of development of new technologies

What amount?

For NPOs, non-repayable financial assistance of up to 90% of eligible expenses.
For SMEs, non-interest-bearing repayable financial assistance of up to 50% of eligible expenses

Digital Marketing Program by Espace d’accélération et de la croissance Mauricie

This program is particularly interesting for businesses located in Mauricie, as its objective it to help businesses optimize their digital growth strategy by integrating the web into their business strategy! It provides an opportunity for a smooth and major digital transformation.

Eligibilty criteria:

Be a business located in Mauricie
This program primarily targets manufacturing companies or those specialized in information technology, but other businesses may be eligible based on a case-by-case assessment.
Have an existing website

How can this program help you finance your digital transition?

By financing a project that aims at: