As you may know, recently, the Ontario government launched a Digital Competence Center grant program that helps businesses determine the right technology for them and then implement the solution.
This launch created confusion between this new DCC grant and the Canada Digital Adoption Program that was launched by the Federal government several months earlier.
We would like to address this confusion and answer the most frequently asked questions about both programs.
| Digital Competence Center | Canada Digital Adoption Program | |
| Key eligibility criteria | Ontario-based for-profit SMEs with between 1-499 employees and at least $500,000 of annual revenue in one of the last three tax years | Canada-based for-profit SMEs with between 1-499 employees and at least $500,000 of annual revenue in one of the last three tax years |
| Mandatory Technology Assessment prior to funding application | Yes | Yes |
| Government grant that covers the costs of mandatory technology assessment | 50% of the cost of assessment up to a maximum of $15,000 | 90% of the cost of assessment up to a maximum of $15,000 |
| Access to a Technology Consultant | Before the application starts | After the application is approved |
| Endorsement from the Funder | Required | Not Required |
| Endorsement from preferred technology vendor | Required | Not Required |
| Funding for Technology implementation | Grant of 50% of the implementation cost up to a maximum of $150,000 | Interest-free loan for up to a maximum of $100,000, repayable over 5 years |
| Stackable with each other? | No | No |
| How to Apply? | Submit the intake request form on the Ontario Center for Innovation website | Submit the application form on the Government of Canada application portal |
| Source of Funding | Ontario budget | Federal budget |
Need help with this or other government funding programs but don’t know where to start or how to prepare an application?