NG COMPANY AND SMALL BUSINESS BC
GROW YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE
As part of the Program Small Business BC has partnered with NG Company to deliver the Grow Your Business Online grant to small businesses.

Eligible businesses will receive a micro-grant of up to $2,400 to help with the costs related to adopting
e-commerce and supported by a network of e-commerce advisors.
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WHAT IS THE GROW YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE PROGRAM?


The Grow Your Business Online grant will help small businesses across British Columbia
take advantage of e-commerce opportunities.

Eligible businesses will receive a micro-grant of up to $2,400 to help with the costs related to adopting digital technologies. Grants will be available through Small Business BC. SBBC will also support a network of e-commerce advisors who will advise and help small businesses adopt e-commerce.

The grant is administered by Small Business BC and is not administered by NG Company.

Participant Requirements

Applications can only be submitted by a small business that meets all of the following criteria:

  • Is a for-profit business (including for-profit social enterprises and co-operatives)
  • Is a registered or incorporated business
  • Is a consumer-facing business
  • Can be accessed by end-use consumers or provides in-person services to consumers
  • Businesses that are not considered consumer-facing are those that focus primarily on wholesale trade or sell only to other businesses. Businesses that engage in drop shipping or online reselling are also not considered consumer-facing.
  • Has at least one employee on payroll that is not the owner or a contractor (full time or part time, but for at least three months prior to application) or have had at least $30,000 in annual revenue in the most recent tax year.
  • Must commit to maintaining digital adoption strategy for six months after participation in the program
  • Must consent to participating in follow-up surveys, sharing information with the Government of Canada (ISED and Statistics Canada), and having the name of the 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
  • A brokerage firm and their agents (real estate, investment, insurance, etc.)
  • Businesses that engage in online reselling or drop-shipping businesses reliant on third party suppliers
  • Wholesale or distribution businesses and manufacturers (unless their business model includes direct sales to the end consumer)
ELIGIBLE COSTS
  • Development of new e-commerce website
  • Upgrading existing e-commerce site for added functionality (i.e., new plugins, or features)
    • Please note redesign of an existing site is not eligible
  • Costs related to the implementation or improvement of a digital e-commerce plan (e.g. online reservation/booking tools, online ordering systems, electronic payments)
  • E-commerce software including:
    • Software to track and manage product inventory, as well as fulfill and ship orders,
    • Software for product databases
    • Software to track sales, market to customers, offer discounts, maintain a loyalty programs
    • Software to simplify marketing
    • Cyber Security software or certifications
  • 20% of the cost of Hardware and accompanying software up to 20% of the grant total.
    • For instance, if a small business buys a new e-commerce integrated point of sale (POS) system that costs $1,300, CDAP will cover 20% or $260.
    • The maximum amount of the grant that can be allocated to hardware and related non e-commerce software is 20% of $2400 or $480
  • Costs related to website search optimization

    Note: plan cannot be strictly so website search optimization, it needs to be tied to overall e-commerce implementation plan, and not a standalone item.

  • Costs related to the installation of an e-commerce platform (including subscription fees/costs)
  • Costs of back-office solutions to support an e-commerce strategy
  • Costs of social media advertising

    Note: plan cannot be strictly social media advertising, it needs to be tied to overall e-commerce implementation plan, and not a standalone item.

  • Costs related to the creation of customer databases
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INELIGIBLE COSTS
  • Costs of connectivity
  • Costs related to the shipping of goods purchased through the e-commerce platform
  • Purchases made prior to grant approval
  • Office Software (e.g., Microsoft Office, iWork, Google Workspace, etc.)
  • Renewal of digital services such as domain name, software subscription etc.
    • This includes existing eCommerce subscriptions.
  • Signage and printing
  • Logo redesign and rebranding
  • Business Owner’s salary or current employee salary for executing the project
  • Costs of land, building or vehicle purchase
  • Costs of intangible assets such a goodwill, whether capitalized or expensed
  • Interest on invested capital, bonds, or debentures
  • Monthly mortgage, loan and/or rent payments
    • Refinancing of an existing debt
    • Losses on investments, bad debts, and any other debts
  • Fees for administrators including payments to any member or officer of the Recipient’s Board of Directors
  • New capital expenditure
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HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
1
Confirm Your Eligibility
- Operate a registered for-profit business (social enterprises and cooperatives included) in British Columbia
- Earn more than 30k revenue in a year OR have at least one employee other than the owner
- Don’t currently sell online or want to make improvements to an existing e-commerce site
- Have a business that is customer-facing
2
Submit an application
Fill out the form on our website
3
Submit Your Plan To Get Reimbursed
Money spent on e-commerce improvements will be reimbursed upon review of receipts and/or invoice copies, with proof of payment.
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REQUIRED DOCUMENTS & DETAILS

Business Registration Information
  • Federal Business Number
  • GST/HST number
  • Industry type and NAICS code
Required Documents

One of the following:

  • Incorporation or registration documents
  • Operating/business license
  • Proof of business registration with a Band Council (Indigenous businesses only)
Details About Your Business
  • A paragraph explaining how funds will be used toward eligible expenditures
  • Number of years in business
  • (since business registration)
Attestations

One of the following:

  • Attestation that the business has employed at least one employee (other than the owner) for at least three months prior to the application

OR

  • Attestation of annual gross revenues exceeding $30,000 in the last 12 months of operations or since incorporation/registration (for businesses that have been in operation for under a year)