Waterloo Region & Guelph

GrantOntario program

OCI Digital Competence Centre grants

OCI's Digital Competence Centre has grants to help Ontario businesses plan and buy digital technology. One pays for a custom digital plan made with a consultant; another helps shops and other public-facing businesses buy point-of-sale and similar tools. A third stream, for putting a plan into action, is closed.

Amount
Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan: up to $15,000. Retail Modernization Project Grant: up to $5,000. Technology Demonstration Program: up to $50,000 (closed).
Status
Open nowThe digital plan and retail grants are first come, first served while funds last. The Technology Demonstration Program is closed. No dates are given.
Type
Grants for digital plans and tools
Run by
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Where
All of Ontario
Checked on
Nov 13, 2026

Who it's for

  • Digital plan: Ontario-based for-profit businesses with 1 to 499 employees
  • Retail grant: Ontario-based for-profit businesses open to the public, with a physical commercial location (not home-based)
  • Retail grant: sells goods or services directly to consumers, such as cafés, boutiques and hair salons
  • Retail grant: 1 to 50 staff, incorporated and operating at least 1 year, at least $100,000 in annual revenue
  • Technology Demonstration (closed): $750,000+ revenue and a finished digital plan

Not for

  • Retail grant: home-based businesses
  • Not-for-profits (all streams are for for-profit businesses)

What it covers

  • Digital plan: a custom Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan made with a Digital Adoption Consultant
  • Retail grant: hardware and software such as point-of-sale systems, inventory tools and customer loyalty software
  • Technology Demonstration (closed): putting the plan's recommended technology in place

How to apply

  1. Read the program guidelines for the stream you want on the OCI page.
  2. Digital plan: submit the DCC intake form.
  3. Retail grant: submit the Retail Modernization Project Grant interest form.

Good to know

  • The page doesn't say whether you need to put in any of your own money.
  • The retail grant says "1 to 50 full-time staff" in one place and "1 to 50 employees" in another, so it's unclear whether part-time staff count.
  • The Technology Demonstration Program is marked closed, but the shared intake form still lists it.
  • No application deadlines or total funding amounts are given.
  • You can apply for the digital plan grant or the retail grant, but not both.

Questions

Is it only for retail stores?

The retail grant is for businesses with a public location that sell directly to consumers. The page's examples include cafés, boutiques and hair salons, not just stores. The digital plan grant is open to most for-profit businesses with 1 to 499 staff.

Can a home-based business apply for the retail grant?

No. The page says you need a physical commercial location that isn't home-based.

Is there a deadline?

No date is given. Both open streams are first come, first served while funds last.

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