Need help funding your new website for your small business? No problem.

I'm happy to share this information on Ontario's digital grant for small businesses.

I'm honestly surprised this is not talked about a lot more in the province.

It is likely a reflection of how far behind some of us are when it comes to digital infrastructure and presence.

The provincial government will literally give you $2400 to spend on digital assets and services for your small business.

No strings attached.

Sounds t0o good to be true I know...

It is a very generous boost from the Ontario government towards getting yourself found online.

Everything from paid ads, consultations, and new websites are on the table.

The program is still in effect at the time of this writing.

Of course we would love for you to spend that money here with us at Peak Demand and get onboard this amazing platform. Thats about a year's worth of tools in our standard kit.

All of the services that we offer would be covered under eligible costs of the grant.

Also - I would also personally love it if you did!

You could have a blog just like this one here.

As well as an AI-powered chatbot to manage communications for your business.

We could be closer that way, and our team could help you along your digital journey.

Only if you wanted to though!

Ugh I'm so Canadian XD.

Being too polite and honest, you sometimes miss out on quick wins. But I am all about long-term partnerships. So I don't mind at all.

But of course if you do manage to capture the grant just by coming to this blog page first, we will have done something good for an entrepreneur in Canada.

And that's really all that matters.

Being an entrepreneur myself, I know how hard it is to get up and out on your own, and how much a helping hand is appreciated.

In the world of digital, you really don't know how little you know, until someone else shows you.

I still learn new things every single day.

So don't hesitate to reach out to me directly.

I've spoken to the grant teams that manage this particular service, and they tell me it is very easy to get when compared to other grants from the government.

Like VERY easy...

A very positive sign for those in doubt.

Or those in need.

The requirements for the grant should be in the key takeaways below my face in this article.

When you get yours, please let me know.

I would love to share your story on our blog and newsletters.

Definitely looking forward to it.

See you in the next one!

Alex, Peak Demand

alex@peakdemand.ca

TEXT +1 (647) 691-0082 to chat with our AI assistant 'Peakbot'!

A summary of the small business grants for digital solutions in Ontario is included below.

Congrats!

Original Web Page: DIGITAL MAIN STREET GROW YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE

Link to Small Business Grants for Canadian Digital Adoption Program: https://digitalmainstreet.ca/on-cdap/

Key Takeaways:

• The "Grow Your Business Online" program, offered by Digital Main Street as part of the Canada Digital Adoption Program, provides micro-grants of up to $2,400 to eligible small businesses in Ontario.

• The goal of the program is to help businesses adopt e-commerce, with the grant covering associated costs. This is supported by a network of e-commerce advisors.

Eligibility:

• The business must be for-profit, including for-profit social enterprises and co-operatives.

• It must be a registered or incorporated business and consumer-facing.

• The business should have at least one employee on the payroll who isn’t the owner or a contractor (for at least three months prior to application) or should have had at least $30,000 in annual revenue in the most recent tax year.

• The business must commit to maintaining a digital adoption strategy for six months after participation in the program.

• Ineligible businesses include corporate chains, franchises, registered charities, representatives of multi-level marketing companies, brokerage firms, online reselling or drop-shipping businesses reliant on third party suppliers, wholesale or distribution businesses and manufacturers (unless their business model includes direct sales to the end consumer), and businesses that have already received a CDAP microgrant.

Eligible Costs:

• Costs related to implementing or improving a digital e-commerce plan.

• E-commerce software, including software to track and manage product inventory, fulfill and ship orders, track sales, market to customers, offer discounts, maintain loyalty programs, and simplify marketing.

• Cybersecurity software or certifications.

• Hardware and accompanying software up to 20% of the total grant amount.

• Costs related to website search optimization (but not standalone plans).

• Costs related to the installation of an e-commerce platform, back-office solutions, social media advertising, creation of customer databases.

• Hiring a consultant/agency to execute Digital Marketing initiatives related to the e-commerce store.

• Development of new e-commerce websites, upgrading existing sites for added functionality (redesign not eligible).

Application Process:

• The business must create an account on Digital Main Street's website.

• A business can apply only once for the grant.

Please note that all expenses must be tied directly to selling products or services online. The program reserves the right to determine what costs are eligible/ineligible on a case-by-case basis.