The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) is a new initiative aimed at propelling Canadian businesses into the digital era. At the heart of this program is the “Boost Your Business Technology Grant,” a strategic investment designed to foster technological innovation and growth.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the key components of this grant, how a CDAP Partner (such as Everbrave) can guide the process and create a plan, and how it can set up your business and your people to thrive in an increasingly tech-driven world. 

What you need to know about CDAP

1. CDAP features a $15,000 Boost Your Business Technology Grant

The $15,000 grant focuses on providing financial support to businesses looking to undergo digital transformation. As technology continues to reshape industries, this initiative aims to empower businesses to adopt and integrate digital solutions that enhance efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness. It can be used to cover the development of a plan that will be the blueprint for an effective digital adoption strategy (see below).

2. Which businesses are eligible for CDAP?

The program caters to a diverse range of businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across various sectors. To qualify for the Boost Your Business Technology Grant, businesses must meet the following criteria:

• Be incorporated
• Be a for-profit privately-owned business
• Be a consumer-facing company
• Have between 1-499 full time employees
• Have an annual revenue of $500,000 in one of the last three years
• Will commit to maintaining a digital adoption strategy for six months

3. What can the grant be used to cover?

There are many different ways in which a company can utilize the funding as long as an approved CDAP Advisor like Everbrave is used, and the funding is used solely on the creation of the Digital Adoption Plan.

 Whether the plan is to implement new software, upgrading hardware, increase your marketing chops through a marketing CRM or enhancing cybersecurity measures, the grant provides financial assistance to facilitate these essential changes.  It’s important to note that the funding is used to create the plan and cannot be used to implement the plan. In other words, it pays for the strategic analysis, needs assessment and solution recommendations – and not the cost of the actual products/services of steps required to integrate it within your business.

4. How to apply for the Canadian Digital Adoption Program

The application process is quick to complete (it can take as little as 30-45 minutes). Your business must have an active CRA corporate tax account to apply. The approval process is incredibly fast. Many applicants have been approved within 1-day of submitting their application.

Once approved, you can get started finding a CDAP Advisor that best suits your digital needs and will have access to a list of all CDAP Approved Advisors to choose from. Make your choice based on the future state of your digital needs.

5. How can CDAP impact business growth?

The potential impact of the grant on your growth can be very rewarding. By embracing digital technologies, businesses can streamline operations, reduce inefficiencies, reach new markets, and stay competitive in an increasingly digital landscape.

6. Who creates your CDAP plan?

You will be required to pay an approved CDAP Advisor (such as Everbrave) to develop your plan on your behalf. Once it is completed and submitted, the program will reimburse the cost.

7. What does the typical CDAP plan include?

Your typical CDAP plan with Everbrave will include:

• Discovery
• SWOT Analysis
• Technology & Systems Audit
• Data Quality Audit
• Gap Analysis
• Recommendations
• Implementation Guidelines
• Implementation Budget & Timeline

8. How long does the CDAP process take?

As an authorized CDAP Advisor, Everbrave has successfully taken clients through the entire CDAP process from application approval to final plan approval with impressive speed. Here is the average completion schedule, based on our experience:

• Application Process: 1-2 days
• Vendor Selection: 2 weeks
• CDAP Plan Development: 4 to 6 weeks
• Plan Submitted to Government: 1 day
• Plan Approved by Government: 30-45 days
• Reimbursement Received: 5-10 days

Boost your technology to propel your business forward

The Boost Your Business Technology Grant under the Canada Digital Adoption Program is a beacon of support for Canadian businesses navigating their own digital landscape. By embracing this opportunity, businesses can not only survive but thrive in an era defined by technological advancements.