New Grant to Help Ontario Retailers Embrace Digital Tools and Boost Sales

BRANTFORD, ON – Today, Associate Minister Nina Tangri announced that the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) is expanding the reach and impact of Ontario’s Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC) thanks to a new $7.5 million investment from the Government of Ontario. This funding will support hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across the province as they adopt digital technologies, boost competitiveness, and build long-term resilience.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Ontario’s economy, and our government is helping more businesses embrace new technologies that will improve their operations, ensuring they stay competitive in today’s digital economy,” said Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business. “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we will continue to support  small businesses in priority sectors like retail, so they can create jobs and grow the economy for everyone.”

Launched in 2022 and delivered by OCI, the DCC is a flagship program helping Ontario businesses modernize operations and adopt made-in-Ontario technology solutions. With today’s announcement, DCC will grow to include new supports for Ontario’s retail sector while continuing to scale the highly successful Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP) stream.

“Ontario’s small businesses are ready to grow, and digital tools are key to unlocking that potential,” said Dr. Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation. “Through Ontario’s Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC), companies across the province are able to streamline operations, boost competitiveness, and bring Ontario-made technologies to market faster.”

Of the $7.5 million investment, $5 million is being directed to support new and existing DMAP projects. DMAP helps companies assess their digital needs, work with qualified consultants to build a roadmap, and receive up to $15,000 in matching grants for digital planning. Businesses that complete a DMAP project can then apply for a Technology Demonstration grant of up to $100,000, allowing them to implement the digital technologies outlined in their Digital Modernization Adoption Plan.

To date, DCC has approved:

• 249 DMAP projects, resulting in over $3.2 million in funding;
• 45 Technology Demonstration projects, with over $5.5 million invested;
• A roster of more than 100 Digital Adoption Consultants across Ontario;
• An Ontario Digital Technology Vendors List of over 140 companies.

Participants in the DCC program have reported more than $380 million in increased revenue, a clear sign of the measurable economic impact of digital adoption.

“As local entrepreneurs navigate the pace of change in the digital economy, Ontario’s Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC) has placed small businesses on the map, as engines of economic growth, job creators, and agents of revitalizing local communities,” said Raed Kadri, VP of Strategic Initiatives, Business Development and Head of OVIN, OCI. “Ontario’s renewed investment in the DCC and its expansion into retail will empower even more small businesses to harness the power of innovation and next-generation technologies that will fuel their success and build resilience for years to come.”

The remaining $2.5 million will fund the Retail Modernization Project Grant, a new DCC offering designed to help Ontario retailers access tools such as:

• Online payment and e-commerce platforms
• Inventory and customer relationship management (CRM) systems
• Cybersecurity solutions
• Artificial intelligence tools for business optimization

Retailers can receive a matching grant of up to $5,000 to adopt new digital technologies.

This investment builds on OCI’s long-standing mandate to support early-stage innovation, strengthen Ontario’s technology ecosystem, and help businesses compete globally—especially in fast-moving sectors like fintech, health, manufacturing, and now, retail.

To learn more about the DCC, DMAP, or the Retail Modernization Project Grant, visit: www.oc-innovation.ca/DCC

Media Contact
Alicia Pereira, apereira@oc-innovation.ca