Small business grant for BC entrepreneurs geared to support online growth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | October 18, 2022 - Small Business BC

Business owners looking to get online or expand their digital presence are encouraged to apply for the Grow Your Business Online program, offering e-commerce advisory support and micro-grants of up to $2,400 through Small Business BC, as part of the Government of Canada’s Digital Adoption Program.

The Grow Your Business Online program is designed to help small businesses take advantage of e-commerce opportunities and reach more customers online. The program, which includes both one-on-one support from an E-commerce Advisor and a micro-grant, is available to BC-based small businesses looking to sell goods and services online directly to consumers. 

“Our government knows that small businesses are the heart of our communities and the backbone of our economy. The Canada Digital Adoption Program is helping small businesses in British Columbia take their operations online to access new customers and markets and achieve greater success. We will continue to support our small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout British Columbia and across the country as they start up, scale up and access new online customers in Canada and around the world,” says the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development

The program is open to applicants no matter where they’re at in their digital journey - from getting online, to developing e-commerce capabilities, to digitizing business operations. An E-commerce Advisor will work with grant recipients to develop their digital strategies and learn how to implement new technologies. 

Approved Grant Expenses:

The $2,400 micro-grant can be used by small businesses to help with costs related to e-commerce and adopting digital technologies. Eligible expenses include: 

  • Implementation or improvement of a digital e-commerce plan (e.g. online reservation/booking tools, online ordering systems, electronic payments).
  • Developing a new e-commerce website.
  • Installation of an e-commerce platform or upgrading existing e-commerce site functionality. 
  • Online marketing and advertising:
    • SEO optimization
    • Social media advertising
    • Hiring digital marketing services
  • E-commerce software and hardware.

Grant Eligibility: 

The Grow Your Business Online Grant is offered in British Columbia through Small Business BC, in partnership with Digital Main Street, and is currently open for applications from businesses that meet all the following criteria:

  • For-profit (including for-profit social enterprises and co-operatives)
  • Registered or incorporated 
  • Consumer-facing business – selling goods or services direct to consumers
  • Has at least one employee (other than the business owner) or $30,000 in annual revenue in the most recent tax year (2021).

Corporate chains, franchises, registered charities, non-profit organizations, real estate brokerages and representatives of multi-level marketing organizations are not eligible.

Applications are now open. For more information and to apply, visit: sbbc.co/cdap 

 

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Sara Couper

Communications, Small Business BC

 

Subvention pour les petits entrepreneurs de la Colombie-Britannique visant à soutenir la croissance en ligne

PDF - 3.3 Mb

 

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Small Business BC provides entrepreneurs with the information and guidance necessary to build a solid foundation for their business. Through a wide range of products, services, education and resources there’s a piece that fits with every business. No matter what stage or what skill level, when an entrepreneur finds themselves asking “How do I…?” Small Business BC is the one to call.