Get up to $2,400 to Grow Your Business Online

In addition to a micro-grant of up to $2,400, the Grow Your Business Online Grant gives you access to a network of more than 11,000 e-commerce advisors.

The CDAP Grow Your Business Online Grant helps SMEs:

  • get online
  • increase sales
  • adopt security software
  • connect with customers
  • improve social media marketing
  • improve user experience for online customers

More Information

  • How it works

    STEP 1: Read the eligibility criteria to make sure the program is right for you.

    STEP 2: Connect with Logics Technology.

    STEP 3: Apply for the grant with help from Logics Technology

  • Eligibility

    Use the CDAP grant assessment tool to see if your business qualifies.

    You can get funding through CDAP if your business:

    • is a for-profit business (including for-profit social enterprises and co-operatives)
    • is registered or incorporated
    • is consumer-facing (sells goods and services directly to end consumers)
    • has at least one employee (other than the owner) OR had at least $30,000 in annual revenue in the most recent tax year 
    • commits to maintaining a digital adoption strategy for six months
    • agrees to participate in follow-up surveys, share data about the experience, and have its name published as a grant recipient

    Your business is not eligible if it is:

    • a corporate chain, franchise or registered charity
    • a representative of a multi-level marketing company
    • a brokerage firm, such as real estate agents, investment advisors, insurance agents, etc.
    • a business that is engaged in online reselling or drop-shipping reliant on third-party suppliers
    • a wholesale or distribution business and manufacturer (unless you sell directly to consumers)

  • How can you use your grant?

    • To develop a new e-commerce website or add functionality to your existing site (e.g. online reservation/booking tools, online ordering systems, electronic payments, search engine optimization (SEO))
    • To install an e-commerce platform (including subscription fees/costs)
    • To hire a consultant to help with digital marketing strategies for your e-commerce store that could include activities such as social media advertising.
    • To track and manage inventory and sales, market to customers, offer discounts, maintain a loyalty program, or increase cyber security using e-commerce software
    • To pay up to 20% of the total cost of hardware and software

    Eligible costs must be directly tied to the sale of goods and services online.

  • Ineligible costs

    • Internet connectivity
    • Shipping of goods purchased through the e-commerce platform
    • Purchases made prior to grant approval
    • Renewal of digital services such as domain names or software subscriptions (including existing e-commerce subscriptions)
    • Signage and printing
    • Logo redesign and rebranding
    • Owner's salary or current employee salary for executing the project
    • Purchase of land, buildings or vehicles
    • Intangible assets such as goodwill, whether capitalized or expensed
    • Depreciation or amortization expenses
    • Interest on invested capital, bonds or debentures
    • Bond discount
    • Monthly mortgage, loan and/or rent payments
    • Refinancing of an existing debt
    • Losses on investments, bad debts and any other debts
    • Fines or penalties
    • Litigation
    • Fees for administrators, including payments to any member or officer of the business's board of directors
    • Opportunity costs
    • Hospitality and entertainment costs
    • Franchise fees and/or franchise licence costs
    • Lobbyist fees
    • New capital expenditures
    • Consulting fees for submission of CDAP application or any costs not related to the acquisition or set-up of technology solutions

Frequently Asked Questions

Small Business Eligibility

What documents are required to prove that my company is a registered business?

One (1) of the following:

  • Master business license
  • Article of incorporation
  • GST return from CRA

We prefer that you provide a government document that confirms your business registration. If you provide only a GST/HST number, then this number must be verified via the GST/HST Registry.

Is my business eligible if it provides goods and services online only?

Yes. Consumer facing businesses are those that provide the majority of their services directly to consumers. Most will have a bricks and mortar presence where consumers can access their goods and services. Some will also have a virtual 'front door' through their online presence which also provides services to consumers.

If my business operates at more than one location, am I considered a corporate chain or am I eligible?

A business can go up to 5 outlets for the same business. These outlets have to be for a single, regional business and the organization does not offer opportunities for other people to buy franchises.

Can the owner of multiple businesses submit an application for each business? That is, for example, the owner of three (3) businesses submitting three (3) applications, one for each business.

Yes, as long as each business is registered with its own business number.

Do part time or temporary employees count as eligible employees?

Part time or fixed-term employees count as eligible employees, but freelance or contract (fee for service) employees do not.

Is there a cap on the number of employees eligible companies can have?

No, there is no cap.

If my business is in their first year of business and is on track to earn $30,000 in revenues, would I be eligible?

Your business has to attest that you had a gross revenue of at least $30,000 in the last 12 months of operations or since incorporation/registration. Therefore you would not be able to apply if you are "on track" to meet the threshold, you would have to wait until the threshold has been met.

Micro-Grant

Will the micro-grant be disbursed upfront to cover the costs?

No. Your business must provide a copy of the invoices and proof of payment in order to receive a reimbursement of costs.

What proof of expense is necessary from my business to claim the micro-grant?

Your business must provide an invoice of the expense and proof of payment.

Your business must pay for the expense before claiming the micro-grant, and a copy of their invoice will be required to do so. The invoice must be dated after the signature of your grant agreement.

If the invoice is based on monthly payments, your business should make an advance payment for the full $2,400 before claiming the micro-grant. The invoice should show a credit balance.

Small Business Eligible Costs

Can my business remit costs associated with digital marketing / social media / SEO if I do not have or plan to have an e-commerce store?

No, your business must have an e-commerce presence to be able to seek funds for digital marketing.

If my business already has an e-commerce website, can I use the fund to improve, update or redo my current website?

The re-design of an existing site is not eligible. However, upgrading existing website for added functionality (new plugins or features) would be eligible.

My business would like to use the grant to purchase some hardware with accompanying software. Is this an eligible cost?

Hardware and accompanying non-ecommerce related software are eligible for up to 20% of total grant amount.

  • An example of limited coverage for software would be any software that is bought with the 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.

The maximum amount of the grant that can be allocated to hardware and related software is 20% of $2,400 or $480.

E-Commerce related software is eligible for 100% of grant amount and can include the following:

  • 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 programs
  • Software to simplify marketing
  • Cyber Security software or certifications

Please note all eligible costs must be directly tied to the sale of goods and services online (i.e. online reservations/ordering or chat bot function on website), and you will need to clearly outline this in your application.

My business already has a website, can I use the grant solely for digital marketing initiatives?

Your grant cannot be used solely for website search optimization or social media advertising; such uses must be tied to an overall e-commerce implementation plan and not a standalone item.

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