The digital revolution has grown dramatically in recent years. Most small and medium-sized businesses need to be part of this trend in order to remain competitive and to provide a wider range of services to their customers. Regardless of the strategy you wish to adopt, many possibilities are available to you: modernization of your Web presence, online sales and e-commerce, optimization of business processes using the Web and technologies, etc.
Did you know that there are now many subsidies specifically designed to help you achieve your digital transformation? We are able to find the financial assistance available for your business to save you up to $50,000 in subsidies.
However, finding the right web subsidy for your type of business, your needs and your goals can be a real headache.
Marketing Media has put together a guide to web subsidies and digital transformation for Quebec SMEs. You’ll find a list of subsidies available in Quebec that can contribute to your company’s digital transformation, a brief description of each subsidy, their eligibility criteria, the digital transformation projects covered by these subsidies, as well as the amounts awarded by each.
This way, you will be able to choose the grant that best applies to your digital transformation project: website design and creation, international market development, web presence optimization (WPO), SEO (Google AdWords campaign, Google Analytics, etc) and more!
Marketing and Export Support Program (MSP)
The Marketing and Export Support Program (MSP) has three different components and offers separate digital transformation subsidy opportunities to meet your goals in all three components.
- Component 1 increases the capacity of SMEs to commercialize and promote their services and products on the Quebec market.
- Component 2 increases the export capacity of SMEs and stimulates their projects on markets outside Quebec.
- Component 3 supports larger companies with sales of over $100 million in their structuring projects on the international market.
Which businesses are eligible?
All for-profit businesses legally incorporated in Quebec and Canada that have an establishment in Quebec, as well as social economy businesses and non-financial cooperatives are eligible for this subsidy.
It is important to note that companies with sales of less than $100 million are eligible for Components 1 and 2. Companies with sales of $100 million or more are eligible for Component 3. Before you apply, make sure your sector of activity is eligible for the program.
What digital transformation subsidy projects can be covered?
- Implementation and development of a marketing strategy, including digital strategies for foreign markets, tool development, and advertising in foreign markets
- Professional fees for specialized services to develop a marketing strategy
- Professional fees for the development of a diagnostic, a business plan or a strategy aimed at export or internationalization
How much financial assistance can you receive?
50% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $250,000 over a maximum period of 12 months.
To learn more about the Marketing and Export Support Program, or to apply, click on the link below : (IN FRENCH ONLY)
CanExport SME
The objective of the CanExport SME program is to help companies expand into global markets. This program covers a number of activities and digital transformation approaches that enable companies to export their services and/or products internationally.
Which businesses are eligible?
For-profit businesses, incorporated entities, unlimited liability companies and cooperatives with a CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) business number are eligible for this subsidy.
However, these organizations must have fewer than 500 full-time employees and have reported revenues of $100,000 to $100 million in Canada in the last fiscal year
What digital transformation projects are covered by the subsidy?
- Specialist advice for digital marketing and e-commerce
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Online advertising on social media, online marketplaces (Amazon, Etsy, etc) and search engines
- Translation, adaptation or creation of marketing materials
What financial assistance is available to you?
The CanExport Small Business program can provide you with financial assistance of up to 50% of eligible costs, which represents funding of between $10,000 and $50,000.
To learn more about the CanExport PME program or to apply, we invite you to follow the link below:
The Momentum Fund
The Momentum Fund is an initiative of the Desjardins Movement whose ultimate goal is to generate quality jobs and stimulate economic development.
More specifically, the Momentum Fund can contribute to the growth of your business through support in various areas
- Innovation
- Business start-up
- Development of foreign markets
- Digital transformation
- Business model transformation
Which businesses are eligible?
If you wish to obtain financial assistance, your project must fall under one of the 9 components of the Momentum Fund. To find out if your company is eligible for this financial assistance, we invite you to contact the Desjardins Enterprise Centre.
Which digital transformation subsidy projects are eligible?
- Creation of a technological advance
- Implementation of a process to support future innovation in the organization
- Creation of secure online purchasing processes (e-commerce development)
- Implementing effective cybersecurity measures
- Increased online sales (conversion rate optimization)
- Transformation of the business model
How much funding can you get?
The Desjardins’ Momentum Fund can cover 25% of the cost of projects for an amount of up to $10,000.
To learn more about the Desjardins Momentum Fund assistance program or to apply, please follow the link below:
https://www.desjardins.com/ca/momentum-fund/index.jsp
Canada Digital Adoption Program
The Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) is focused on helping businesses go digital, increase their online presence and visibility, and digitize their business operations. This program offers multiple digital transformation subsidy opportunities and even website subsidies.
The program has two subsidy opportunities: the first is for online business development (e-commerce) and the second is for business technology enhancement.
Government of Canada’s Canadian Digital Adoption Program – E-Business Development Component
This first component of this program helps companies serve their customers more effectively and attract new ones with e-commerce.
Which businesses are eligible?
Businesses wishing to apply for e-commerce development must be considered registered or incorporated for-profit businesses.
In addition, these businesses must be consumer-facing, be accessible to customers, or provide in-person customer services, have at least one employee, and commit to maintaining the digital adoption strategy for an additional six months after the intervention.
What digital transformation subsidy projects can be covered?
- Implementation of a digital e-commerce plan (online reservation tools, online ordering system, electronic payment, etc.)
- Optimization of the website’s search engine
- Installation of an e-commerce platform (Prestashop, BigCommerce, etc.)
- Support services to support an e-commerce strategy
- Web advertising
How much financial assistance can you receive?
Eligible businesses may receive a maximum micro-subsidy Subsidies will be provided through local and regional service providers.
To learn more about the Government of Canada’s Canadian Digital Adoption Program – e-Business Development Component, or to apply, please follow the link below:
https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/canada-digital-adoption-program/en/grow-your-business-online
Canada Digital Adoption Program – Component 2 – Improvement of the company’s technologies
This subsidy provides support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Quebec and Canada that wish to adopt new digital technologies.
Which businesses are eligible?
All companies wishing to apply for the Technology Enhancement must be federally or provincially incorporated (or be a sole proprietor resident in Canada), be a private for-profit company, have between 1 and 499 full-time equivalent employees, and have annual revenues of at least $500,000 in any of the three previous fiscal years.
What digital transformation subsidy projects can be covered?
- Development and implementation of a digital adoption plan
- Services of a digital consultant
- Acquisition of new technologies
What financial assistance can you receive?
The subsidy provides coverage of up to 90% of eligible costs to hire a digital consultant, up to a maximum value of $15,000 per SME, to develop a digital adoption plan.
To learn more about the Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) – Business Technology Enhancement Stream, or to apply, please follow the link below:
https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/canada-digital-adoption-program/en/boost-your-business-technology
Innovation Program
The Innovation Program is designed to support businesses, particularly SMEs, in carrying out innovation projects and commercializing their innovations. This innovation program offers multiple subsidy opportunities for digital transformation subsidy and digital turnaround.
Which businesses are eligible?
For-profit businesses in most sectors of activity and collective enterprises as defined in the Social Economy Act are eligible for the Innovation Program.
Please note that some businesses are not eligible, such as businesses in the field of gambling.
What digital transformation subsidy projects are eligible?
Process or product innovation projects, from planning to pre-commercialization (technology showcase), can be covered by this financial assistance program.
Here are some examples:
- Technological compliance
- Technological adaptations to target markets
- Development work for the commercialization of a product or service
How much financial assistance can you receive?
The subsidy can cover up to 50% of expenses for an amount ranging from $50,000 to $350,000, depending on the project.
To learn more about the Innovation Program, or to apply, please follow the link below :
(IN FRENCH ONLY)
ESSOR Program
The ESSOR program is designed to meet the financial needs of growing businesses. Whether it is for the creation or growth of a company, the program allows, among other things, to carry out investment projects, to accelerate growth and productivity and to help internationalization.
Depending on the investment project, the program has three components and offers multiple subsidy opportunities for digital transformation, each more interesting than the last.
- Component 1: Support for the implementation of investment projects (feasibility studies and digital diagnosis)
- Component 2: Support for investment projects that promote business productivity and expansion
- Component 3: Support for investment projects that promote a reduction in the environmental footprint
- Component 4: Support for the internationalization of businesses (U.S Market and more)
Which businesses are eligible?
For-profit companies legally incorporated under the laws of the Government of Quebec or Canada and with an active establishment in Quebec and collective companies are eligible for this subsidy program.
What digital transformation subsidy projects are eligible?
- Digital diagnostics, digital plans and implementation plans
- Implementation of an action plan and a digital plan
- Various business growth capital projects that include at least $100,000 in eligible expenses
What financial assistance can you receive?
The ESSOR program offers many funding opportunities depending on the project. The financial assistance can be a non-repayable contribution of 50% eligible up to $100,000, a reimbursement contribution, a loan guarantee, an equity investment, etc.
To learn more about the ESSOR Program, or to apply, we invite you to follow the link below: (IN FRENCH ONLY)
Regional Economic Growth through Innovation – Business Development and Productivity Program
The goal of the Business Development and Productivity program is to stimulate business innovation, productivity, growth and expansion. This is achieved through support for the integration and commercialization of new technologies, or through other projects that enable sustainable growth.
Which businesses are eligible?
SMEs, cooperatives, NPOs (non-profit organizations), business clusters, business support organizations and Aboriginal organizations are generally eligible for this subsidy program.
Here is an overview of businesses that are not eligible for the program:
- Retail businesses (clothing stores, grocery stores, etc)
- Food services
- Transportation services
- Housing construction sector
- Daycare services
- Hairdressing and beauty salons
- Nightclubs, bars and cabarets
What digital transformation subsidy projects can be covered?
- Acquisition of digital production equipment or machinery and infrastructure
- Evaluation, adaptation or adoption of new technologies
- Implementation of an advertising campaign for the marketing or development of new markets
- Showcase and technological demonstration
- Adoption of best management practices, systems and processes (e.g., enterprise resource planning);
What financial assistance can you receive?
- For SMEs: financial assistance is reimbursable without interest and can reach up to 50% of authorized costs.
- For NPOs: the financial assistance is non-refundable and can reach up to 90% of the authorized costs.
To learn more about the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (RGEI) – Business Development and Productivity program and its digital transformation subsidies, or to apply, please follow the link below:
Digital Marketing Program – Espace d’accélération et de croissance Mauricie
This program aims to help Mauricie businesses maximize their digital growth strategy by effectively integrating the web into their business strategy.
The program is in fact a turnkey service, carried out by a professional specialized in this field of expertise. This program covers training, diagnosis of digital performance and skills, a digital growth plan and support for the implementation of a project.
Which businesses are eligible?
This program is mainly for manufacturing or information technology companies that already have a website.
Which digital transformation subsidy projects can be covered by this program?
The program’s components will allow you to:
- Promote and increase your company’s visibility on the web
- Attract your ideal customer and generate qualified leads
- Adapt your sales methods to the modern buyer
- Measure the return on investment of your web efforts.
What financial assistance can you receive?
This program is a little different from the other programs presented above. There is a basic cost to the program. The cost per company is $3,900 for services worth approximately $12,000. Therefore, it is a subsidy of approximately $8,000.
To learn more about the Digital Marketing Program of Espace d’accélération et de croissance Mauricie or to apply, we invite you to follow the link below:
(IN FRENCH ONLY)
Any questions?
If you have any questions about the subsidy programs, services or pricing, we invite you to contact us today! The Marketing Media team will be happy to give you all the information you need.
