Are you a small or medium-sized business owner? Do you want to improve your technology to expand your services, but are finding it difficult to invest at the moment?
In today’s environment of skyrocketing inflation and an economic downturn that is putting the brakes on business, it can be difficult to continue investing in digital marketing.
However, it is imperative for businesses to remain competitive and retain market share, and to do so, digital is the ideal tool to, among other things, make the business more efficient, reduce costs, harvest data and make informed decisions.
A situation that could become paradoxical without the options offered by the governments of Quebec and Canada. Indeed, aware of the existing situation, they have put in place grants dedicated to digital advice and services to help small and medium-sized businesses get ahead.
The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) is one option that could help you.
As CDAP-authorized advisors, we’re here to help you with the process and answer your questions.
In what follows, you will learn about the two options available to you and the other programs available to help you maintain your investments and grow your digital business.
$2,400 to develop your online business!
The first CDAP funding option allows you to take advantage of a $2,400 grant to access digital experts.
If you are a Canadian for-profit business, registered or incorporated, that provides in-person services to clients and has at least one employee, you can take advantage of this grant.
The grant will cover the costs of digital strategy, Google Ads optimization, search engine advertising, social media and media investments.
Get a $15,000 grant for digital services!
The second funding option of the CDAP could provide you with a grant of up to $15,000 to develop a digital adoption plan and obtain digital advice.
This grant includes:
- Access to Canadian digital advisors;
- Potential access to the BDC loan;
- The opportunity for SMEs to apply for additional funding and receive up to $100,000 in loans at 0% interest;
- Access to a dedicated student placement for small and medium-sized enterprises undertaking a digital transformation.
The costs associated with using a CDAP-approved digital advisor, their fees, commissions, and applicable federal and provincial sales taxes are covered by the grant.
Wondering if you qualify?
The following businesses are eligible for the program:
- Sole proprietors or businesses incorporated under the laws of Canada or a province or territory;
- Private Canadian businesses;
- For-profit;
- Private business;
- 1 to 499 full-time employees with annual sales of at least $500,000 in any of the previous three years.
In all cases, companies must meet the requirements to be considered a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC).
How to get this grant?
Follow the steps below to take advantage of this $15,000 grant!
Step 1: Access the Assessment Tool on the CDAP website. If you are eligible, you will be directed towards option 2 (the one with the $15,000 grant) and will be able to use the Digital Needs Assessment tool to assess your digital maturity.
Step 2: Once you are accepted into option 2, you will have access to the CDAP Digital Advisor Marketplace. At this stage, you and the digital advisor will agree on the cost and scope of the digital adoption plan. You can then submit your completed digital plan to CDAP and apply for a grant to cover up to 90% (maximum $15,000) of the cost of the plan and pay the digital advisor.
Step 3: With a digital adoption plan in hand, you can apply for an interest-free loan from BDC of up to $100,000 to help execute your plan.
If you are an SME eligible for option 2, you will be eligible to hire a student to help you implement your plan.
For more information on the CDAP and to check your eligibility, visit the Canadian Digital Agenda page on the Government of Canada website.
Combine your $15,000 with the Quebec government’s Essor program!
You can also apply to the Essor program for support in implementing and carrying out a digital plan.
Two components of the Essor program can be combined with the PCAN program (CDAP):
Component 1-A-C: Diagnosis (audit) up to $20,000 maximum amount per project, maximum grant of 50% (therefore $10,000 in grant).
Component 1-B: Implementation up to $100,000 maximum project amount, 50% grant (i.e. $50,000 grant).
To obtain this additional support, follow these steps:
Step 1: Contact Essor.
Step 2: Answer Essor’s questions, which will allow you to be referred to an economic advisor.
Step 3: If you are eligible, apply online as instructed by the Economic Advisor.
Step 4: Once your application has been approved, incur the expenses for the project.
For more information, visit the Essor website (available in French only for information on their Essor program).
Other grants available to you
Two other grants are available.
CanExport SME
CanExport SME is for SMEs that want to break into new international markets and covers 50% of project costs (up to $50,000).
For more information, visit their website.
REGI
The Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program offers an interest-free loan of up to 50% of authorized costs for SMEs, with repayment beginning two years after project completion, and a grant of up to 90% of authorized costs for NPOs.
The program is only open to businesses in the Atlantic Provinces.
Visit their website for more information.
LET’S DO IT!
Of course, if we told you about it, it’s because we can help you! As an Authorized Provider for the CDAP program, Code Marketing is able to provide you with the services covered by this grant as well as the others mentioned in this article.
Need advice and guidance?
