OAKVILLE, ON (February 5, 2026) – Ontario is strengthening the competitiveness of small businesses by helping them adopt digital tools that improve productivity, build resilience, and support long-term growth. Today, the Honourable Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business, joined the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) and industry leaders at GVA Lighting in Oakville.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Ontario’s economy, and in today’s digital world, their success depends on having the right tools to compete and grow,” said Minister Nina Tangri. Through Ontario’s Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC), our government is helping Ontario businesses modernize their operations, strengthen cyber resilience, and boost productivity. These investments are delivering real results, supporting good jobs, driving innovation, and ensuring Ontario’s small businesses are well positioned to succeed in a rapidly evolving global economy.”

Small businesses make up approximately 98 per cent of all enterprises in Ontario, employing nearly 2.5 million people and driving job creation, innovation, and local economic growth. Within this landscape, retail alone employs roughly 850,000 Ontarians and contributes $40 billion annually to Ontario’s GDP.

“As markets evolve, digital modernization and cyber resilience have become essential for small businesses to remain competitive,” said Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI). “Ontario’s DCC was created to help Ontario’s small and medium-sized businesses turn technology into a competitive advantage. The results we’re seeing, from increased productivity and efficiency to stronger sales and job growth, demonstrate the powerful impact of digital adoption when it’s paired with the right expertise and support.”

Launched in November 2022 and led by OCI, the Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC) helps Ontario small and medium-sized enterprises adopt and integrate digital solutions that reduce costs, increase productivity, strengthen customer engagement, and enable long-term success.

In April 2025, Ontario renewed and expanded DCC to include retailers through the Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG). Since renewal, demand for DCC programs has surged. Both the Digital Modernization Adoption Program (DMAP) and the Technology Demonstration Program (TDP) have been oversubscribed, while RMPG has become the fastest-accelerating program, demonstrating the critical need for digital adoption support across Ontario’s small business economy.

“The Technology Demonstration Program supported GVA Lighting in advancing several key initiatives, including production floor digitalization, SMT efficiency improvements, and the development of advanced financial and reporting tools,” said Roman Glikman, GVA’s Director of Operations. “The support strengthened visibility, tracking, and overall operational efficiency, and we would highly encourage other Ontario-based SMEs to explore the program as a valuable catalyst for growth.”

The announcement was hosted at GVA Lighting, a global leader in specification-grade architectural lighting and a recipient of both DMAP and TDP funding. Operating from a 100,000-square-foot facility in Oakville, GVA delivers custom-engineered lighting solutions for iconic projects worldwide, including skyscrapers, airports, bridges, stadiums, and malls.

With support from DCC, GVA Lighting has achieved measurable results, including:

• 15% increase in sales efficiency and securing a $1.5 million project
• 30% boost in operational efficiency through ERP upgrades
• 10–20% improvements in labour efficiency via automation and material handling
• 30% higher equipment efficiency and 10% fewer product rejections from SMT optimization
• Enhanced, real-time decision-making through Power BI automation

These improvements have supported job retention and creation, reduced operator stress, improved on-time delivery, and positioned the company for continued growth.

“Digital transformation is no longer optional, it’s essential to building resilient, future-ready businesses,” said Raed Kadri, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Business Development and Head of OVIN at OCI. “Through the Digitalization Competence Centre, we’re helping Ontario companies move from interest in technology to real-world implementation and measurable impact. By supporting automation, data integration, and advanced digital tools, DCC is enabling businesses to improve operations, empower their workforce, and accelerate their growth in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”

Today brought together DCC clients, technology providers, digital adoption consultants and ecosystem partners. Highlighting how digital adoption is helping Ontario businesses modernize, scale, and compete globally.

In its third year, DCC continues to demonstrate how targeted digital adoption programs strengthen Ontario’s economy, empower small businesses, and build a more resilient, innovative province.

About the Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC)
Led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation, the Digitalization Competence Centre helps Ontario small and medium-sized businesses adopt, integrate, and scale digital technologies through funding programs, advisory services, and ecosystem partnerships. DCC supports manufacturers, technology companies, and retailers in improving productivity, cybersecurity, and competitiveness in a digital economy.

About the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) brings industry, academic, and government partners together to invest in collaborative R&D, technology development, and commercialization opportunities that generate the highest return on innovation for Ontarians.
As an ecosystem connector, OCI initiates unparalleled partnership opportunities, develops and manages successful industry-academic collaborations, supports high-potential SMEs in commercializing ground-breaking research, and provides hands-on training and skills development opportunities for the next generation of highly-skilled talent.
OCI drives economic growth and job creation through investments in the development, commercialization, and adoption of advanced technologies.
For more information: https://www.oc-innovation.ca