Applications open for Grow Your Business Online Grant Program – Canada

In the technological age, it’s imperative for consumer-facing businesses to develop and implement e-commerce capabilities to remain competitive locally, regionally and nationally. Digital technologies allow businesses to become more efficient and increase their customer base through the digital marketplace.

Through this program, small business owners can receive a micro-grant to help get their business online, give their e-commerce presence a boost, or digitalize business operations. Grant recipients must commit to maintaining their digital adoption strategy for at least six months.

In addition, e-commerce advisors will be available to work with grant recipients to help identify their digital needs, provide links to digital resources, help with completing applications, and answering questions on the Grow Your Business Online program.

Objectives

• Objectives include:
  • Short-term: Canadian small businesses and entrepreneurs, including those in equity deserving groups, have access to programs and services to digitize their businesses.
  • Medium-term: Canadian small businesses and entrepreneurs, including those in equity deserving groups, receive support to digitize and develop ecommerce capabilities.
  • Long-term: Canadian small businesses and entrepreneurs, including those in equity deserving groups, are able to sustain and grow their businesses.

Funding Information

• The maximum grant amount available is $2,400.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Applicants
  • Eligible applicants must be small businesses, including those led or owned by equity-deserving groups that meet all the following criteria:
    • A for-profit business (including for-profit social enterprises and cooperatives).
    • A registered or incorporated business.
    • A consumer-facing business.
    • A business that can be accessed by customers or provides in person services to customers.
    • Have at least one employee (other than the owner) or had at least $30,000 in annual revenue in the previous fiscal year.
    • For Businesses in operation less than 80 weeks who have not yet filed their first year’s taxes or received their CRA Notice of Assessment, the Business must have gross revenue of at least $30,000 in the last 12 months of operations or since incorporation/ registration.
• Applicants must agree to the following:
  • Applicants must commit to maintain the digital adoption strategy for 6 months post intervention.
  • Applicants must consent to participating in follow-up surveys, having their information shared with the Government of Canada (ISED and Statistics Canada), and having the name of their business published as a recipient of funding.
  • Applicants must be in full compliance with all government laws and regulations.
  • One application per registered business.
  • Applicants have not received any other public funds for the reimbursement of the specific expenses included in this grant application.

Ineligible

• Ineligible applicants include:
  • Corporate chains, franchises, or registered charities.
  • Representatives of multi-level marketing companies.
  • Real estate agents and brokerages.
  • Insurance agents and brokerages.
  • Mortgage agents and brokerages.
  • Investment advisors and brokerages.
  • Not for profit organizations.
  • Businesses engaging in online reselling or drop-shipping reliant third-party suppliers.
  • Wholesale or distribution businesses and manufacturers.
• Note: Geographic distribution of funds will be taken into consideration when making funding decisions. Priority sectors for consideration will include businesses owned by Indigenous People, women, racialized Communities, LGBTQ2, and persons with disabilities.

For more information, visit Ontario Chamber of Commerce.