The Government of Canada will reimburse you for up to 90 percent of eligible expenses, up to $15,000. Once we’ve completed work on your digital adoption plan you will submit the relevant invoices to receive your grant payment.

TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM ISED’s WEBSITE… The registration process starts with an online digital needs assessment (DNA) that identifies the SME’s business and digital strengths and weaknesses across several parameters, such as strategy, business model, products and services, customer experience, operations, technology, organization and cybersecurity. This DNA will allow SMEs to obtain their current perceived overall level of digital maturity. Once completed, SMEs will be able to move to the next step in their application.

• For eligible SMEs that have successfully completed the DNA, CDAP will pre-approve them for a grant covering up to 90% of the cost of the digital adoption plan evaluated at a maximum of $15,000.
• Eligible SMEs will then have access to an online marketplace of qualified digital advisors called the digital advisor marketplace in order to retain the services of a digital advisor to produce a digital adoption plan.
• During their search, SMEs may contact as many digital advisors as they would like. When making initial contact with prospective digital advisors, SMEs are encouraged to share the results of their DNA as well as an overview of their business and objectives.
• It is important for an SME and digital advisor to agree on the terms of work, including objectives, timing and associated costs before they begin working together.
• When the SME finds a digital advisor who they consider to be the right match for their business, the parties will sign an agreement to develop a digital adoption plan.
• The SME and the digital advisor will work together to develop a digital adoption plan that meets the CDAP requirements. Upon completion, the SME will upload their completed digital adoption plan and invoice to the CDAP portal. Once accepted, the grant will be issued to the SME.
• With a digital adoption plan in hand, the SME is now eligible to access a zero-interest loan from the BDC as well as a subsidized youth work placement to implement their plan and adopt new digital tools for their business.

The Canada Digital Adoption Program – Grow Your Business Online will be open to any businesses that meet the following requirements:

•  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;
• A business with a minimum of one employee

＊Recipients must commit to maintain digital adoption strategy for six months post-intervention.
＊A business will be required to consent to participate 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.

The following types of small businesses are ineligible:

• Corporate chains, franchises or registered charities
• Representatives of multi-level marketing companies
• Real estate brokerages
• Non-profit organizations

Applicants will be asked to supply the following documents:

1. Proof of business registration (i.e.. incorporation or registration documents, business/operating license, etc.)
2. Confirmation provided by CRA of sales tax (GST/HST) registration OR confirmation provided by CRA of recent sales tax (GST/HST) filing (within the last 12 months).
3. Proof of an employee (payroll run or pay stub within the last four weeks)

When CDAP was launched in March 2022, it was anticipated to support SMEs for 4 years. However, all grants are first come, first served and can be changed or removed at any time. Reach out to get started and secure your $15,000 digital adoption grant asap. And access to a 0% loan for up to $100,000.

Your digital adoption plan is a comprehensive assessment of the opportunities to improve your business by leveraging modern hardware and platforms. Specific deliverables you will receive from ASC Creative Ltd. include:

• Current state analysis
• Post transformation capability report
• Summary of proposed digital solutions, including a cost/benefit analysis of your top three options and high-level requirements
• Near- and long-term digital strategy
• Implementation roadmap, including timelines, costs, and required capabilities

The amount of time needed to develop an appropriate digital adoption plan will vary depending on the nature and needs of your business. For most clients, we strive for 2-3 months .. however, you need to submit your digital adoption plan and invoices to the federal government for reimbursement within 9 months of being approved for funding, so no more than that!

You will have 12 months from the time you receive your personalized link from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to BDC to complete your loan application. If you exceed this timeframe, you will be ineligible for the loan.

Zero-interest loan of up to $100,000 with a 5-year term (+ 12 months capital postponement (total of 6 years)). CDAP is a four-year program, so you can apply for the program until 2026.

The amount of the loan is determined by the size of your business. If your annual gross revenues are:

• between $500,000 and below $5M you can request a loan of between $25,000 and $50,000
• $5M and more, you can request a loan between $25,000 and $100,000

The loan must be used solely for the implementation of a digital adoption plan that is recognized by the CDAP Boost Your Business Technology stream .

There are no fees for the application.

Please note that although the loan request is being made under CDAP, applicants must meet CDAP eligibility criteria and BDC creditworthiness requirements to receive a loan offer.

You can create your digital adoption plan, receive the grant that covers up to 90% of advisory services and then decide against the zero-interest loan. Participating in the digital plan portion of CDAP does not oblige you to apply for a loan. If you move forward to implement your plan, you can also source the required funds from your own cash flow or from your regular financial institutions.

The program eligibility is only one step in the process of making the loan request.

Your business may be declined for multiple reasons. For example, it may not have met BDC’s creditworthiness criteria (ex: credit history, etc.).

Please note that although the loan request is being made under CDAP, applicants must meet CDAP eligibility criteria and BDC creditworthiness requirements to receive a loan offer. As the CDAP zero-interest loan is part of a standard loan application, standard banking practices apply. A declined loan request is reflected in your credit score. This is part of the consent you provide when applying for the loan.

No. The Boost Your Business Technology grant is intended to assess your digital maturity and opportunities to increase your competitiveness through digital transformation. Eligible costs are limited to those involved with creating your digital adoption plan.

Businesses may qualify for a $7,300 wage subsidy to hire either a current student or recent graduate as part of a digital transformation or adoption initiative. As this is part of the Boost Your Business Technology track, the same eligibility criteria and process to access funds will apply. In most cases, this option would be most beneficial during the implementation phase, after you’ve created a digital adoption strategy.

Yes. ASC Creative Ltd. received certification as an approved CDAP Digital Advisor from the Canada Digital Adoption Program, as a part of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. to work with SMEs under the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) Stream 2: Boost your Business Technology

Absolutely! While you can have your plan implemented by any vendor you choose, by the time you have completed your plan with us, we will have an intimate awareness of the needs of your business. Having already formed a deep understanding of your digital transformation needs, engaging our creative team will make for a seamless transition from planning to execution.

You must apply for the grant directly. However, our team can guide you through the process, review your application, provide feedback to maximize your likelihood of success, and answer any questions you might have.