If you were surprised to find out that the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) is ending early, having recently closed all new applications to the Boost Your Business Technology grant category, you’re not alone.
The sudden decision, announced on the Friday before the first long weekend in 2024 and finalized on a holiday Monday for most provinces, came as a surprise to many applicants and digital advisors alike – ourselves included.
It’s particularly unexpected given that the program was meant to continue until March 2025, and that, reportedly, billions of program dollars remain unspent. And it’s upsetting; we know more than a few business owners who have missed out on the opportunity.
So, where to go from here? Here’s what to consider in terms of next steps.
Pre-Approved Businesses
The good news is: if you’ve been pre-approved for the Boost Your Business Technology stream, you can take advantage of this CDAP grant despite its early ending. This grant stream offers businesses up to $15,000 to undertake digital transformation and marketing plans.
If you were pre-approved and your grant agreement has not expired, you will still be able to:
- Access the CDAP portal
- Work with a CDAP advisor (like us!) to build your digital adoption plan
- Move forward with your CDAP grant claim, BDC 0% interest loan, and up to $7,300 in multiple youth wage subsidies.
We’re actually working on a digital plan right now that was pre-approved last year. However, we recommend getting started as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on the opportunity. We’re here to help and answer any questions you might have.
Businesses Without Pre-Approval
Unfortunately, at least for the time being, it seems like applications for the Boost Your Business Technology grant are currently closed (the official terminology being used is “fully subscribed”).
On the other hand, the Grow Your Business Online grant, which offers up to $2,400 to businesses looking to implement e-commerce capabilities, is still open and accepting applications. If this applies to your business, we’d recommend applying for it as soon as possible.
Questions?
For more information on CDAP, take a look at the official program page, or feel free to reach out with any questions you might have.
Curious about what it’s like to have Crisp as your CDAP digital advisor? Read these case studies about our work with Aisle and Curious Campervans.
“We were looking for a company to help us streamline our operations and digitize our sales pipeline through the CDAP program, and Crisp caught our attention. The process was well-organized and communication was clear throughout the entire project. I highly recommend Crisp to anyone looking for a company willing to go above and beyond to deliver results.”
– Wei Chou, CEO and Founder, Cargo Sprout
Follow us on LinkedIn for updates as we hear more about the future of the program.
