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?
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- 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:
- Increase your company’s online visibility.
- Attract new customers
- Generate qualified leads
- Adapt your sales methods to the digital age
- Measure the return on investment for your online actions
What amount?
- Approximately $8000 ( the cost to access the program is $3900 per business for services valued at $12,000)
For assistance in making a digital transition with the help of Shortkut, do not hesitate to contact us!