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Four governmental grants in digital transformation

Nowadays, it is essential for businesses to go digital in order to continue to grow and be competitive. It can sometimes be expensive to adopt new softwares and train employees on them, but there are several measures that have been implemented by the Canadian and Quebec governments. Here are four government grants in digital transformation designed for businesses.

Governmental grants

The Emploi Québec grant

This digital transformation grant from the Quebec government provides businesses with technical or financial assistance to help them define their training needs, carry out their training projects and evaluate the effectiveness of the training received. It allows companies to be reimbursed up to 65% of eligible expenses. These expenses include, among others, the professional fees of the supplier chosen by the company to help it in its digital transformation.

Eligibility criteria

Have at least one employee (self-employed workers unfortunately do not count);
Be a company located in Quebec;
Choose a supplier located in Quebec;
Not be a public body or political organization.

The Emploi Québec grant

This digital transformation grant from the Quebec government provides businesses with technical or financial assistance to help them define their training needs, carry out their training projects and evaluate the effectiveness of the training received. It allows businesses to be reimbursed up to 50% of eligible expenses, but the reimbursement can sometimes be as high as 85%. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, the professional fees of the supplier chosen by the company to help in its digital transformation.

Eligibility criteria

Have at least one employee (self-employed workers unfortunately do not count);
Be a company located in Quebec;
Choose a supplier located in Quebec;
Not be a public body or political organization.

Grow Your Business Online Grant (CDAP)

This digital transformation grant from the Canadian government is the first component of the Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP). It provides a grant of $2,400 to help businesses increase their sales and marketing activities, enhance their online customer experience or acquire security softwares. Eligible expenses include the development of a website or e-commerce platform, the services of a digital marketing consultant, the enhancement of cybersecurity, and more.

Eligibility criteria

Be a for-profit business (this includes for-profit social enterprises and cooperatives);
Be a registered or incorporated company;
Be in direct contact with consumers (sell goods and services directly to end consumers);
Have at least one employee (other than the owner) OR have had at least $30,000 in annual revenue in the most recent tax year.

Boost Your Business Technology Grant (CDAP)

This digital transformation grant from the Canadian government is the second component of the Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP). It's a grant that reimburses 90% of $15,000 to help businesses reduce overhead costs, speed up transactions, ensure better inventory management, and more. Businesses must select a certified consultant (such as Tooly) who will write a digital adoption plan outlining recommendations for the business to help improve their technologies. This government grant and the adoption plan also provide access to two other funding initiatives; a BDC loan ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, as well as a grant of up to $7,300 for the hiring of a digital intern.

Eligibility criteria

Own or manage a business:
That is canadian owned;
That is for profit;
That counts between 1 and 499 employees;
That has achieved at least $500,000 in sales during one of the last three years.

PME Montréal's Fonds Commercialisation des innovations (Innovation Commercialization Fund)

PME Montréal, an initiative of the Government of Quebec, offers tobusinesses located on the island of Montreal a number of business financing options coming from various funds. This one, in particular, may be of interest to companies in the digital industry that are looking to market themselves. The Fonds Commercialisation des innovationsoffers two financing options: a loan of up to $150,000 available at a competitive rate, or a grant of up to $25,000, that must not to exceed 25% of the project.

Each fund offered by PME Montréal covers a different aspect of the business world and the eligible expenses vary for each of them. It should be noted that the financing options offered are more often loans than grants. We invite you to visit their website to see all the Funds available to businesses.

Eligibility criteria

Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or hold a Quebec Selection Certificate (QSC);

Be a legally constituted business duly registered with Quebec's Registraire des entreprises (Business Registery);

Submit a business plan or executive summary including a complete financial forecast and compiled financial statements (or review engagement) for the last or the last two fiscal years;

Provide a minimum down payment of 20% of the total project cost for a pre-startup business and at least 15% of the total project cost for a start-up or growing business in the case of a loan, and 20% for the grant.

Grow Your Business Online Grant (CDAP)

This digital transformation grant from the Canadian government is the first component of the Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP). It provides a grant of $2,400 to help businesses increase their sales and marketing activities, enhance their online customer experience or acquire security softwares. Eligible expenses include the development of a website or e-commerce platform, the services of a digital marketing consultant, the enhancement of cybersecurity, and more.

Eligibility criteria

Be a for-profit business (this includes for-profit social enterprises and cooperatives);
Be a registered or incorporated company;
Be in direct contact with consumers (sell goods and services directly to end consumers);
Have at least one employee (other than the owner) OR have had at least $30,000 in annual revenue in the most recent tax year.

Boost Your Business Technology Grant (CDAP)

This digital transformation grant from the Canadian government is the second component of the Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP). It's a grant that reimburses 90% of $15,000 to help businesses reduce overhead costs, speed up transactions, ensure better inventory management, and more. Businesses must select a certified consultant (such as Tooly) who will write a digital adoption plan outlining recommendations for the business to help improve their technologies. This government grant and the adoption plan also provide access to two other funding initiatives; a BDC loan ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, as well as a grant of up to $7,300 for the hiring of a digital intern.

Eligibility criteria

Own or manage a business:
That is canadian owned;
That is for profit;
That counts between 1 and 499 employees;
That has achieved at least $500,000 in sales during one of the last three years.

PME Montréal's Fonds Commercialisation des innovations (Innovation Commercialization Fund)

PME Montréal, an initiative of the Government of Quebec, offers tobusinesses located on the island of Montreal a number of business financing options coming from various funds. This one, in particular, may be of interest to companies in the digital industry that are looking to market themselves. The Fonds Commercialisation des innovationsoffers two financing options: a loan of up to $150,000 available at a competitive rate, or a grant of up to $25,000, that must not to exceed 25% of the project.

Each fund offered by PME Montréal covers a different aspect of the business world and the eligible expenses vary for each of them. It should be noted that the financing options offered are more often loans than grants. We invite you to visit their website to see all the Funds available to businesses.

Eligibility criteria

Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or hold a Quebec Selection Certificate (QSC);
Be a business legally constituted as a legal person and duly registered in Quebec's Registraire des entreprises (Business Registery);
Submit a business plan or executive summary including a complete financial forecast and compiled financial statements (or review engagement) for the last or the last two fiscal years;
Ensure a minimum down payment of 20% of the total project cost for a business in the pre-startup phase and at least 15% of the total project cost for a start-up or growing business in the case of a loan, and 20% for a grant.

FAQ about our support related to government grants in digital transformation

  • Write to a counsellor in your city;
  • Write to a political attaché in your area (federal and provincial);
  • Use the online tool offered by the federal government. Innovation Canada has great advice on where to find grants, experts, partners and more!
The cost of our support in terms of grants will depend on the time we invest in helping you. This depends, among other things, on the type of grant and our level of involvement. We recommend that you contact us to find out more about this.   
The CDAP was created for a limited period of four years. For other grants available to small and medium-sized businesses, we recommend that you directly contact the person responsible for each grant in order to find out more about their duration.
Most grants, such as the two components of the CDAP, require businesses to be accompanied by a consultant. In addition, since we've been providing our support for grants for over three years, our experience will save you time, and you'll be in good hands.

Do you have any questions? We are here to help you!