Dear Clients and Friends,
The Government of Canada is offering support to small and medium-sized Canadian-owned businesses (SMEs) through the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP), which aims to help business adopt new technologies to increase their competitiveness. Eligible businesses will receive a grant to build their digital plan, followed by a 0% loan of up to $100,000 to implement it.
The loan covers items directly related to the digital plan, such as acquiring, updating, and expanding IT equipment, installing new technologies, training staff on onboarded technologies, purchasing materials and support services, and further advisory services related to various aspects of the digital adoption plan.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must meet CDAP eligibility criteria and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) credit worthiness requirements to receive a loan offer. To be eligible, all of the following must be met:
1. You are an owner or director of the business.
2. Your business meets the following:
- Is Canadian-owned
- Is for profit
- Has 1 to 499 employees
- Has had at least $500,000 in annual revenues in 1 of the last 3 years.
How does it work?
Step 1: Register on Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) website.
Step 2: Build your digital plan with the help of an ISED-approved partner.
Step 3: Once ISED validates the plan, submit your invoices to receive up to $15,000 to cover your advisory fees. ISED is responsible for approving digital adoption plans and providing grant money. The grant covers 90% of the eligible cost of the advisory service, up to a maximum amount of $15,000 per SME.
Step 4: Once your plan is approved, use the personalized link in your email to apply for a loan of up to $100,000. This is a five-year term loan with the possibility to postpone principal payments for 12 months at the start of the loan. The loan amount varies based on the size of the business:
- Business with revenues between $500,000 and less than $5M can request a loan between $25,000 and $50,000.
- Businesses with revenues $5M and more can request a loan between $25,000 and $100,000.
To get started, visit the following link: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/canada-digital-adoption-program/en/boost-your-business-technology
Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@clearhouse.ca or (647) 969 7382 if you have any questions.
Kindest Regards,
Your Clearhouse LLP Team