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You deserve a simple way to grow your small business.

team Canada Digital Adoption Program

Get the kind of support that empowers you instead of leaving you on your own.

At Marketing Guardians, we recognize how most companies do business has changed; we’ve seen it reflected in our own company. We live in a post-pandemic world, with talks of inflation every day. To stay competitive and grow, small and medium-sized businesses need to adopt new digital tools. We know that your goal is to grow a modern, thriving business. To be that way, you need a digital strategy to guide your journey to bigger results. In some cases, you may need to get your business online; in some cases, you might need to give your e-commerce presence a boost, and in some cases, you just need to digitize your business’s operations.

The problem is that you're very busy, you don't want to waste money, and it's not clear where to start. To make things worse, when you reach out to some experts for help - it's hard to understand what they're talking about. This makes you feel frustrated, stuck, and worried about your company’s future. You deserve a simple way to get a digital strategy so that you can move closer to your bigger future.

We know that there are an endless number of moves you could make with digital and that you don't want to take the wrong step. You’re not alone in this; there are thousands of companies all across Canada that find themselves identifying with the same challenges you have… and the Government of Canada has even recognized this and created a grant that you should absolutely capitalize on if you can.

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cdap-logo Canada Digital Adoption Program

The Government of Canada, as part of the 2021 federal budget, announced the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP). The goal of the CDAP program is to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to meet the challenges of the digital age and reach their full potential. Eligible businesses can leverage this grant to pay for the services of a digital advisor (who has to be pre-approved for this by the gov’t). These advisors will work with companies to recommend digital pathways and strategies to help them achieve their business goals and increase their competitiveness in the digital economy.

The Boost Your Business Technology Grant

The grant covers up to 90% of the eligible cost of retaining the services of a digital advisor (that’s us!), up to a maximum grant value of $15,000, to develop a digital adoption plan. Businesses also have the opportunity to secure up to a $100,000 0% interest loan from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to facilitate the acquisition of new technology. You can also apply for a wage subsidy of up to $7,300 to hire a talented youth with the skills your business needs to achieve its digital adoption goals. You can apply for more than one wage subsidy to hire multiple youth.

If you’re interested in learning more about this, Marketing Guardians is an approved CDAP Digital Advisor and can help you apply for the grant if your business qualifies and can build your Digital Adoption Plan.

What is a Digital Adoption Plan?

Your Digital Adoption Plan is designed to help you keep up with the fast-paced changes in business and technology. Think of it as a roadmap for strategic success. ​The plan we develop is customized to meet your specific business needs with the ultimate goal of improving process and adding technology solutions that will streamline your operations and increase your bottom line.

We analyze your current state of operations, workflow, and how data is managed across your organization.

We prepare an opportunity analysis that outlines opportunities for improvement along with three (3) solution recommendations, including a budget and timeline. Every business is unique, so these recommendations will vary immensely from client to client.

Digital Adoption Ideas

While the possibilities are as diverse as you and your business, some examples of solution recommendations you might benefit from could include:

  • Create a digital marketing and e-commerce strategy

  • Create dashboards and analytics to provide actionable insights into your organization

  • Implement a CRM or ERP system

  • Automate your accounting operations using cloud-based technologies

  • Develop an App for ease and/or speed of fulfillment

  • Connect / integrate various systems to talk to each other

  • Digitize areas of your business where paper or Excel are still used to manage processes

  • Automate ordering, invoicing, contract and supply chain management, etc.

  • Creation of a digital inventory management system

  • Automate standard operating procedures

  • Set up network security software

  • Audit and prepare for a cyber security audit

  • Develop a new website

  • Use digital tools to increase team communication and productivity

How Does It Work?

As your government approved CDAP Advisor, we will guide you every step of the way, from applying for the grant to the creation of your digital adoption plan.

  1. Apply for the Grant

    Register and qualify with the Canadian Federal Government for the CDAP Boost Your Business Technology Grant.

  2. Create Your Digital Adoption Plan

    We’ll build you a customized digital adoption strategy that comprehensively addresses your needs and goals, and fits the grant requirements.

  3. Get Approved

    We’ll deliver a streamlined package including your plan, as well as record of all the associated costs to submit to the government.

    bdc-logo Canada Digital Adoption Program
    Special Note

    0% Interest Loan Of Up To $100,000

    Businesses that complete their digital adoption plan as part of CDAP can qualify for a Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) loan of up to $100,000 at 0% interest towards the implementation of their plan. As your Digital Advisor, we can help you with this as well!

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Am I eligible?

On the economic heels of COVID-19, businesses are navigating a lot of uncertainty. Supply chain problems, the great resignation, climbing inflation, and the war in Ukraine are all having an impact. Subsidies and tariffs are on the rise and businesses everywhere need new competitive advantages. The CDAP opportunity is one that you need to capitalize on if you are eligible.

There are a few simple requirements for businesses seeking to apply for the grant:

corportation Canada Digital Adoption Program

Be incorporated federally or provincially, or be a Canadian resident sole proprietor.

profit Canada Digital Adoption Program

Be a for-profit, privately owned business.

employees Canada Digital Adoption Program

Have between 1 – 499 full-time equivalent employees.

revenue Canada Digital Adoption Program

Have at least $500,000 of annual revenues in one of the previous three tax years.

Still not sure if you qualify?

Complete the CDAP assessment tool to determine your business’ digital maturity as well as your eligibility.

Check Your Eligibility

Let’s Begin Your Digital Transformation!

Marketing Guardians is the perfect partner to help you make the most of this opportunity. We are experts who understand the challenges and opportunities in your market — and how to help you succeed.

Answer the following 11 questions to get a complimentary consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Still need more clarification before you begin? Here's the most common questions we get asked about the CDAP grant as well as the process involved in helping your business.

Yes. Marketing Guardians received certification as an approved CDAP Advisor on July 21st, 2022 from the Canada Digital Adoption Program, as a part of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. to work with SMEs under the  Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) Stream 2: Boost your Business Technology

The Government of Canada will reimburse you for up to 90 percent of eligible expenses, up to $15,000. Once we’ve completed work on your digital adoption plan you will submit the relevant invoices to receive your grant payment.

You must apply for the grant directly. However, our team can guide you through the process, review your application, provide feedback to maximize your likelihood of success, and answer any questions you might have.

The amount of time needed to develop an appropriate digital adoption plan will vary depending on the nature and needs of your business. However, you need to submit your digital adoption plan and invoices to the federal government for reimbursement within nine (9) months of being approved for funding, so no more than that!

No. The Boost Your Business Technology grant is intended to assess your digital maturity and opportunities to increase your competitiveness through digital transformation. Eligible costs are limited to those involved with creating your digital adoption plan.

Absolutely! While you can have your plan implemented by any vendor you choose, by the time you have completed your plan with us, we will have an intimate awareness of the needs of your business. Having already formed a deep understanding of your transformation needs, engaging our creative team will make for a seamless transition from planning to execution.

Your digital adoption plan is a comprehensive assessment of the opportunities to improve your business by leveraging modern hardware and platforms. Specific deliverables you will receive from Marketing Guardians include:

 

• Current state analysis

• Post transformation capability report

• Summary of proposed digital solutions, including a cost/benefit analysis of your top three options and high-level requirements

• Near- and long-term digital strategy

• Implementation roadmap, including timelines, costs, and required capabilities

Yes. As long as each company meets the grant eligibility criteria, you can submit an application for as many of your companies as you like.

When CDAP was launched in March 2022, it was scheduled to support SMEs for 4 years. However, all grants are first come, first served and can be changed or removed at any time. Reach out to get started and secure your $15,000 digital adoption grant asap. And access to a 0% loan for up to $100,000.

Marketing Guardians will help you apply for the grant at no cost. Once your application is approved, however, if you choose Marketing Guardians as your digital advisor, we will charge a fee to your business to help you develop your Digital Adoption Plan. Our fees are reimbursed at 90% by CDAP up to $15,000 to cover these activities. Meaning that whatever the final cost of working with us to create your plan, once you’re been reimbursed, you would have only paid 10% of this value out of pocket (a maximum of $1,666).

The Canada Digital Adoption Program – Grow Your Business Online will be open to any businesses that meet the following requirements:

 

• A for-profit business (including for-profit social enterprises and cooperatives);

• A registered or incorporated business;

• A consumer-facing business;

• A business that can be accessed by customers or provides in-person services to customers;

• A business with a minimum of one employee

 

*Recipients must commit to maintain digital adoption strategy for six months post-intervention.
*A business will be required to consent to participate in follow-up surveys, having their information shared with the Government of Canada (ISED and Statistics Canada), and having the name of their business published as a recipient of funding.

The following types of small businesses are ineligible:

• Corporate chains, franchises or registered charities

• Representatives of multi-level marketing companies

• Real estate brokerages

• Non-profit organizations

In order to receive funding through this program, businesses must have at least one salaried employee (other than the business owner). A business with at least one part-time or fixed-term employee is eligible. Freelance contractors (i.e. fee for service workers) are not eligible.

Applicants will be asked to supply the following documents:

1. Proof of business registration (i.e.. incorporation or registration documents, business/operating license, etc.)

2. Confirmation provided by CRA of sales tax (GST/HST) registration OR confirmation provided by CRA of recent sales tax (GST/HST) filing (within the last 12 months).

3. Proof of an employee (payroll run or pay stub within the last four weeks)

You will have 6 months from the time you receive your personalized link from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to BDC to complete your loan application. If you exceed this timeframe, you will be ineligible for the loan.

Zero-interest loan of up to $100,000 with a 5-year term + 12 months capital postponement (total of 6 years). CDAP is a four-year program, so you can apply for the program until 2026.

 

The amount of the loan is determined by the size of your business. If your annual gross revenues are:

• between $500,000 and below $5M you can request a loan of between $25,000 and $50,000

• $5M and more, you can request a loan between $25,000 and $100,000

The loan must be used solely for the implementation of a digital adoption plan that is recognized by the CDAP Boost Your Business Technology stream .

 

Please note that although the loan request is being made under CDAP, applicants must meet CDAP eligibility criteria and BDC creditworthiness requirements to receive a loan offer.

 

You can create your digital adoption plan, receive the grant that covers up to 90% of advisory services and then decide against the zero-interest loan. Participating in the digital plan portion of CDAP does not oblige you to apply for a loan. If you move forward to implement your plan, you can also source the required funds from your own cash flow or from your regular financial institutions.

The first step before applying for the loan is to have a digital adoption plan that is recognized by the CDAP Boost Your Business Technology stream. If you already have a digital adoption plan that was developed through a recognized government digital adoption program, you may be eligible to proceed directly to a loan application without developing a new plan.

 

Once CDAP has reviewed your digital adoption plan, and if you are interested in applying for a loan, ISED will send you an email with a personalized link.

 

Please note that although the loan request is being made under CDAP, applicants must meet CDAP eligibility criteria and BDC creditworthiness requirements to receive a loan offer.

The program eligibility is only one step in the process of making the loan request.

 

Your business may be declined for multiple reasons. For example, it may not have met BDC’s creditworthiness criteria (ex: credit history, etc.).

 

Please note that although the loan request is being made under CDAP, applicants must meet CDAP eligibility criteria and BDC creditworthiness requirements to receive a loan offer.

 

Also, as the CDAP zero-interest loan is part of a standard loan application, standard banking practices apply. A declined loan request is reflected in your credit score. This is part of the consent you provide when applying for the loan.

TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM ISED’s WEBSITE…

 

The registration process starts with an online digital needs assessment (DNA) that identifies the SME’s business and digital strengths and weaknesses across several parameters, such as strategy, business model, products and services, customer experience, operations, technology, organization and cybersecurity. This DNA will allow SMEs to obtain their current perceived overall level of digital maturity. Once completed, SMEs will be able to move to the next step in their application.

 

• For eligible SMEs that have successfully completed the DNA, CDAP will pre-approve them for a grant covering up to 90% of the cost of the digital adoption plan evaluated at a maximum of $15,000.

• Eligible SMEs will then have access to an online marketplace of qualified digital advisors called the digital advisor marketplace in order to retain the services of a digital advisor to produce a digital adoption plan.

• During their search, SMEs may contact as many digital advisors as they would like. When making initial contact with prospective digital advisors, SMEs are encouraged to share the results of their DNA as well as an overview of their business and objectives.

• It is important for an SME and digital advisor to agree on the terms of work, including objectives, timing and associated costs before they begin working together.

• When the SME finds a digital advisor who they consider to be the right match for their business, the parties will sign an agreement to develop a digital adoption plan.

• The SME and the digital advisor will work together to develop a digital adoption plan that meets the CDAP requirements. Upon completion, the SME will upload their completed digital adoption plan and invoice to the CDAP portal. Once accepted, the grant will be issued to the SME.

• With a digital adoption plan in hand, the SME is now eligible to access a zero-interest loan from the BDC as well as a subsidized youth work placement to implement their plan and adopt new digital tools for their business.

In Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced the $4 billion Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) to help get your business online, give your e-commerce presence a boost or help digitalize your business’s operations.

 

CDAP provides funding and support to businesses, as well as training and work opportunities for young Canadians.

 

Here is the official announcement link.

We're honoured to have helped the following game changers with their marketing and digital adoption plans

Reagan Pflug,
Networth Management
Marketing Guardians is a professionally minded company that cares about doing things right from the beginning. They understand your business in-depth before they build a plan. They know how to market your business and position it to get results.
ReaganP-120x120 Canada Digital Adoption Program
Jon Rozhon,
Oak Leaf Energy Training
I have been pleased working with Stephen. What I appreciate most is his patience and commitment to work on things until he and his staff get things absolutely right.
301449760_163749702911559_4156362032562685055_n-120x120 Canada Digital Adoption Program
Kim Lozinski,
Reliance Asset Consulting
Stephen, Maja and the Marketing Guardians team were top notch. They always went above and beyond to help me and my team. I wouldn't think twice about using their services!
reliancelogo-120x120 Canada Digital Adoption Program
Shane Stirling,
Epscan Industries
We’ve been working with Marketing Guardians for years. Their monthly subscription model fits perfectly to support our needs. Even with our office being 1000km apart, they have worked to be a vital part of our team.
shanestirlingepscan-120x120 Canada Digital Adoption Program
Eric Crowell,
Awesome Journey Inc.
I am a long time supporter of Marketing Guardians work because of their Strategic Thinking that they bring to the marketing conversation. I also very much appreciate their WOW!! Client service that my team and I receive from their TEAM!
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