Support for Website Optimization, Social Media Advertising and ERP Software

Ontario’s Digitalization Competence Centre provides funding to assist Ontario SMEs in better understanding, transforming, modernizing, optimizing and/or selecting digital technology. The Centre’s Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan program offers 50% grant funding up to $50,000 for hiring a Digital Adoption Consultant to assist in developing a strategy and Digital Technology Adoption Plan. Recommendations from this Plan can then be used to request funding of 50% up to $150,000 from the Centre’s DCC Technology Demonstration Program (DCC Demo) program. Eligible recommended Plan expenses include:

• website search optimization (cannot be the only eligible expense)
• social media advertising (cannot be the only eligible expense)
• installation of a technology platform (including subscription fees/costs)
• back-office solutions to support a technology strategy.
• creation of customer databases
• development of new technology
• upgrading existing technology site for added functionality (i.e., new plugins, or features); please note, re-design of an existing site is not eligible.
• Software (e.g., to track and manage product inventory and/or fulfill and ship orders • product databases • to track sales, market to customers, offer discounts, maintain a loyalty program • to simplify marketing • cyber security software of certifications • hardware and accompanying software up to 20% of total grant amount).
• salaries of technical staff essential for the Plans implementation

Only expenses incurred after funding approval will be supported. Being approved for the Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan does guarantee DCC Technology Demonstration Program participation in funding. Additionally, requests for DCC Demo funding must include agreed participation by the Vendor supplying the technology in reporting outcomes .

To be eligible companies must be incorporated, operating in Ontario and have 1-499 employees. It is also desirable to have at least $500,000 in revenues plus 3 years of financials. Support is limited. Apply early.