Digital Transformation Grant

What is Digital Main Street?

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Digital Main Street is a provincial program aimed at helping small businesses with the adoption of online technologies. DMS's goals are to:

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• Provide small business owners a comprehensive plan to guide their digital transformation.

• Provide small businesses with the digital literacy skills they need to execute their digital transformation either through a do-it-yourself approach and/or being a smart consumer when purchasing these services.

 

Who is Eligible?

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The Digital Transformation Grant is open to any business that are:

• permanent 'brick-and-mortar' establishment in Ontario

• NOT a home-based business

• Is paying commercial property tax (commercially assessed), either directly or through commercial rent

• Is a registered business in Ontario and/or is incorporated

• Is open for business/operating at the time of application (not a start up)

• Is NOT a franchise, including those individually owned and operated

• Is NOT a not-for-profit/ charitable organization

• Is NOT a purely online business

  

For more information on eligibility, visit https://digitalmainstreet.ca/digital-transformation-grant-4-0/

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I’ve already gotten the grant before. Can I get it again?

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If you received the grant during DMS 1.0 or 2.0 you are eligible to apply again! If you received the grant during the last round (3.0) you are not eligible to apply again. 

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Note: Even businesses that are not located 'downtown' are able to apply, if they are eligible. 

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What can I spend the money on?

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• Digital Marketing

  • Hiring a consultant/agency/person to execute Digital Marketing initiatives

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• Website

  • Redesign, Improvement of existing website

  • Development of new website

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• Software

  • Graphic design software

  • Productivity Software (LastPass, Hootsuite, Dropbox, etc.)

  • Social Media Software (Hootsuite, Buffer, etc.)

  • Security Software

  • Other software as evidenced in the DTP

 

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How do I apply?

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The application portal for Digital Transformation Grants will open June 2022 (exact date TBC) and applications will continue to be accepted until October 31, 2022 (or until grant funds are exhausted). Should grant funds still be available after the portal has closed and all eligible applications have been processed, the application portal will re-open on January 15, 2023 and remain open until September 30, 2023 (or until grant funds are fully exhausted). To apply for a Digital Transformation Grant, a business must complete two main stages:

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Stage 1 - Application:

 

1. Create an account on digitalmainstreet.ca/ontariogrants

2. Complete their digital assessment

3. Pass the eligibility and pre-qualification quiz; an email will be sent inviting the business to continue the application process and apply (check your SPAM filter)

4. Complete the online training program focused on developing their digital literacy skills

5. Develop a Digital Transformation Plan (DTP)

6. Submit an application that includes detailed information on the DTP along with a detailed budget (costs net of HST)

7. Submit a copy of their Commercial Tax Bill or a letter/lease from landlord indicating they pay commercial taxes

8. Submit a copy of their Business Number, Articles of Incorporation (AOI), or business registration

9. Submit a picture of their store front/business operation

 

**NOTE: Businesses MUST complete their assessment, pass the pre-qualification quiz, take the online training, and develop their Digital Transformation Plan BEFORE applying. Any business that cannot provide the required documentation with their application will be deemed ineligible; their application will be marked incomplete and closed.

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Stage 2 - Review and Award:

 

• OBIAA will review the application and once approved, the business will receive an agreement to be executed by both the business owner and OBIAA

• Upon receipt of the signed agreement, OBIAA will release the $2,500 grant to the business to begin implementing the DTP

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