Reimbursement of 50% of your approved technology investment up to $100,000 (i.e. reimbursement of $50,000) as outlined in your approved Digital Modernization & Adoption Plan (DMAP).

The reimbursement must be used solely for the implementation of a DMAP that is recognized by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI).

Eligible expenses:

• Technology Demonstration Project costs related to the adoption of the digital technology outlined in the DMAP
• Costs related to website search optimization (note: plan cannot be used solely for website search optimization, it needs to be tied to overall technology implementation plan, and not a standalone item)
• Costs related to the installation of a technology platform (including subscription fees/costs)
• Costs of back-office solutions to support a technology strategy
• Costs of social media advertising (note: plan cannot be strictly social media advertising, it needs to be tied to overall technology implementation plan, and not a standalone item)
• Costs related to the creation of customer databases
• Implementation/adoption/commercialization of new technology
• Salaries for technical staff directly related to the demo project and essential for the installation/integration of the digital technology (does not include benefits). This means one-time labour expenditures directly attributable to the development and implementation of the Project, including expenditures to set up/commission new equipment, technology or systems for the Project. Notes:
  • Ongoing operational and production labour expenditures are ineligible
  • The Recipient is required to maintain timesheets or appropriate records for all employees working directly on the Project to verify time spent on Project work, and to verify expenditures for audit purposes.
• Upgrading existing technology site for added functionality (i.e. new plugins, or features); please note, re-design of an existing site is not eligible.
• Software including:
  • 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 program
  • Software to simplify marketing
  • Cyber security software of certifications
    Hardware and accompanying software up to 20% of total grant amount

Vendor Requirements:

• Projects should involve collaboration with qualified digital solution vendors
• Ontario-based vendors are preferred whenever possible
• Vendor relationships must be at arm’s-length and independent from the applicant business

For more information, see the TDP Eligible Expenses Guideline here.

Reimbursement of 50% of your approved technology investment up to $100,000 (i.e. reimbursement of $50,000) as outlined in your approved Digital Modernization & Adoption Plan (DMAP).

The reimbursement must be used solely for the implementation of a DMAP that is recognized by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI).

Eligible expenses:

• Technology Demonstration Project costs related to the adoption of the digital technology outlined in the DMAP
• Costs related to website search optimization (note: plan cannot be used solely for website search optimization, it needs to be tied to overall technology implementation plan, and not a standalone item)
• Costs related to the installation of a technology platform (including subscription fees/costs)
• Costs of back-office solutions to support a technology strategy
• Costs of social media advertising (note: plan cannot be strictly social media advertising, it needs to be tied to overall technology implementation plan, and not a standalone item)
• Costs related to the creation of customer databases
• Implementation/adoption/commercialization of new technology
• Salaries for technical staff directly related to the demo project and essential for the installation/integration of the digital technology (does not include benefits). This means one-time labour expenditures directly attributable to the development and implementation of the Project, including expenditures to set up/commission new equipment, technology or systems for the Project. Notes:
  • Ongoing operational and production labour expenditures are ineligible
  • The Recipient is required to maintain timesheets or appropriate records for all employees working directly on the Project to verify time spent on Project work, and to verify expenditures for audit purposes.
• Upgrading existing technology site for added functionality (i.e. new plugins, or features); please note, re-design of an existing site is not eligible.
• Software including:
  • 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 program
  • Software to simplify marketing
  • Cyber security software of certifications
    Hardware and accompanying software up to 20% of total grant amount

Vendor Requirements:

• Projects should involve collaboration with qualified digital solution vendors
• Ontario-based vendors are preferred whenever possible
• Vendor relationships must be at arm’s-length and independent from the applicant business

For more information, see the TDP Eligible Expenses Guideline here.

The Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC) Technology Demonstration Program (TDP) is a discretionary, non-entitlement program with limited funding. All eligible applications undergo a review process where the applications are evaluated against program objectives and other assessment criteria. Not all eligible applications will be approved for funding. Applications are internally reviewed for eligibility, completeness and financial compliance, prior to evaluation by external reviewers with domain expertise from academia and industry. All reviewers are bound by non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). The final funding decision is made by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI). Please be advised that TDP is a competitive, discretionary funding program and approval is not guaranteed.

Applications will be evaluated against assessment criteria including, but not limited to:

• Evaluation of digital maturity, where the DCC client is at in terms of digital advancement and current capabilities;
• Clarity of the need for digital modernization and adoption of new technology;
• Capacity for and prioritization of investing in adoption of digital technologies;
• Significance of the opportunity, expected growth potential and economic benefit to the small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) and Ontario (e.g., job creation/retention, new revenues, new customers, follow on investment, productivity improvements);
• Ability of the vendors digital solution to address the SME’s digital gaps;
• Expertise and experience of the team members, clarity of roles and responsibilities and evidence of collaboration;
• Vendors’ potential role and impact on accelerating growth and path to market;
• Clarity, feasibility and appropriateness of the project plan.
• Preference may be given to projects involving commercialized digital technologies from Ontario-based vendors with clear implementation plans and arm’s-length vendor relationships.

Companies applying for TDP must meet the following criteria:

• Have completed a DMAP project
• Be incorporated federally or provincially with a valid business number
• Be a for-profit, privately owned business (including co-ops)
• Have Between 1-499 full time equivalent employees
• Have a change management culture and structure that values growth and innovation, willingness to review/adopt new technologies to support scaling
• Have the ability and willingness to invest resources
• Have the capability to implement and internally sustain new technologies
• Be able to express why they need a digital strategy and recognize its importance in guiding change
• Have a permanent establishment in Ontario (if not headquartered in Ontario, a minimum of 50% of employees must be based in Ontario)
• Have reported at least $750,000 of annual revenues in one of the previous three tax years

The following types of small businesses are ineligible:

• Businesses engaged in consumer facing retail or e-commerce operations
• Corporate chains, franchises, or registered charities
• Representatives of multi-level marketing companies
• Real estate brokerages
• Not-for-profits

For more information, see the official TDP guidelines here.

We can create your Digital Modernization & Adoption Plan (DMAP), with you receiving the grant that covers 50% of Digital Adoption Consultant (DAC) services up to $30,000 (i.e. $15,000 reimbursed to you) and then you can decide against the Technology Demonstration Program (TDP). Participating in the digital plan portion of DMAP does not oblige you to apply for the TDP. If you move forward to implement your plan, you can also source the required funds from your own cash reserves or from your regular financial institutions.

The first step before applying for the reimbursement funds is to have a Digital Modernization & Adoption Plan that is completed by a DMAP-approved Digital Adoption Consultant (DAC).

Once your Digital Modernization & Adoption Plan (DMAP) has been both reviewed and approved, applications must be initiated in AccessOCI by an Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) Business Development Manager (BDM) or an OCI Digital Adoption Advisor (DAA). Once initiated, the Applicant will receive login information to begin completing the application. Companies that wish to be connected with an OCI Business Development Manager or OCI DAA should submit a Client Intake Form. Please note: completion of this form does not constitute an application for funding. A BDM/DAA will contact you to discuss the opportunity. If you are already working with a BDM/DAA, please indicate this in the form. Once the BDM/DAA confirms that the opportunity is suitable for the program, you will be sent a link to OCI’s online application system, AccessOCI.

The Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC) Technology Demonstration Program (TDP) is a discretionary, non-entitlement program with limited funding. All eligible applications undergo a review process where the applications are evaluated against program objectives and other assessment criteria. Not all eligible applications will be approved for funding. Applications are internally reviewed for eligibility, completeness and financial compliance, prior to evaluation by external reviewers with domain expertise from academia and industry. All reviewers are bound by non-disclosure Agreements (NDAs). The final funding decision is made by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI).

Technology Demonstration Program (TDP) applications are reviewed on a rolling basis subject to available funding. Once the TDP has been fully subscribed, further applicants must defer their application for the next intake. Please contact the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) to confirm the planned intake dates for TDP applications.