cdap
canada digital
adoption program
cdap
canada digital adoption program
Are you looking for ways to invest in your business and stay ahead of the competition? Investing in digital adoption technology could be just what you need.
The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) offers 2 grant opportunities that can help with the cost of implementing digital solutions, leading to improved efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness.
The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) offers a transformative digital solution to small to medium-sized businesses, enabling them to embrace innovation and emerging technologies. As the pandemic has made it increasingly difficult for businesses to function in a traditional sense, digital transformation has become an essential survival tactic for many. To support this objective, the Government of Canada implemented the Boost Your Business Technology Grant offering up to $15,000 to cover the costs of hiring a digital advisor to plan the transformation journey and a 0% loan of up to $100,000 to implement it.
The CDAP digital advisor can guide you through the complexities of digital transformation, assisting with everything from identifying areas of inefficiency to designing custom-tailored solutions. The grant has the potential to provide small businesses with the vital resources required to remain competitive in the global market and adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape.
WHAT IT COVERS
Grow Your Business Online grant
Up to $2,400
- Costs related to the implementation or improvement of a digital e-commerce plan (e.g. online reservation/booking tools, online ordering systems, electronic payments)
- Costs related to website search optimization (SEO)
- Plan cannot be used solely for website search optimization, it needs to be tied to overall e-commerce implementation plan, and not a standalone item
- Costs related to the installation of an e-commerce platform (including subscription fees/costs)
- Costs of social media advertising (Plan cannot be strictly social media advertising, it needs to tie into overall e-commerce implementation plan)
- Costs related to the creation of customer databases
- Development of new e-commerce website
- Upgrading existing e-commerce site for added functionality (i.e., new plugins, or features)
- Redesign of an existing site is not eligible
- E-commerce software including:
- Software to track and manage product inventory, as well as fulfill and ship orders
- Software for product databases
- Software to track sales, market to customers, offer discounts, maintain a loyalty program
- Hardware and accompanying software up to 20% of total grant amount
- As for examples of limited coverage for software, it would be any software that is bought with equipment that is required to support an e-commerce strategy. For instance, if a small business buys a new e-commerce integrated point of sale (POS) system that costs $1,300, CDAP will cover 20% or $260.
THIS GRANT IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Boost Your Business Technology grant
Up to $15,000
- The grant provides coverage for hiring a digital advisor, up to 90 percent of the cost (maximum of $15,000). This advisor will assist in identifying optimal digital pathways and strategies to attain your business objectives.
- Following this, an opportunity to acquire a $100,000 interest-free loan from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will be available to support your technology implementation projects.
- It also offers a wage subsidy opportunity that allows businesses to hire a youth and receive a wage subsidy of up to $7,300 through a funded work placement.
Eligibility Requirements for grow your business online grant
To be eligible for micro-grant funding, small businesses must meet all of the following criteria:
- Must be a for-profit business (including for-profit social enterprises and co-operatives)
- Must be a registered or incorporated business
- Must be a consumer-facing business
- Must be able to be accessed by consumers or provide in-person services to consumers
- Have at least one employee (other than the owner) OR had at least $30,000 in annual revenue in the previous fiscal year.
- Must commit to maintaining a digital adoption strategy for six months after participation in the program
- Must consent to participating in follow-up surveys, sharing information with the Government of Canada (ISED and Statistics Canada), and having the name of the business published as a recipient of funding
How to Apply for the CDAP Grant
Register on the ISED website to begin the application process
Visit the ISED website and click on the "Apply Now" button to start your CDAP grant application. You will need to provide basic information about your business, such as your legal name, business number, and contact details.
Build your digital plan with a registered CDAP Digital Advisor
To be eligible for the CDAP grant, you must work with an approved CDAP digital advisor to create a digital transformation plan. They will work with you to identify your business needs, potential digital solutions, and advise on implementation strategies.
Once your digital plan is complete, submit it for approval
Along with your plan, you must include your invoices from your digital advisor. 90% of the fees (up to $15k) for the services provided by the CDAP advisor will be reimbursed with the funding your business receives through this grant.
Sit back and wait
Once your plan is approved, you will receive a grant of up to $15,000 to cover your advisory fees
