B.C. GOVERNMENT HAS INVESTED $30 MILLION TO HELP B.C. BUSINESSES MOVE THEIR BUSINESS ONLINE
The Launch Online Grant Program provides funding to B.C.-based business to create an online shop or an online booking system and/or improve their existing online operations to attract new local customers and expand to
new markets. The grant will pay for up to 75% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $7,500 per business.
ELIGIBILITY
The business is owned by a B.C. resident or residents; the business’s sole or primary operations are located in B.C. The business is currently operating; is registered in B.C.; employs up to 149 B.C. residents; pays taxes in B.C. Maintains a Federal business number; GST number; PST and WorkSafeBC number (where applicable); generated sales of more than $30,000 in the past year (in 2019, or in the year preceding the application)
Program application intake is open until September 30, 2021 or until the funds have been fully subscribed. Funding will be awarded on a first-come first-serve basis to small- and medium-sized B.C. businesses. Successful applicants will receive funding within 2-3 weeks of approval and are required to develop or upgrade their online shop or online booking system within 12 weeks of receiving the grant.
HURRY AND APPLY NOW!
How the program works
The Launch Online Grant program provides funding to B.C.-based business to create an online shop or an online booking system and/or improve their existing online operations to attract new local customers and expand to new markets. The grant will pay for up to 75% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $7,500 per business.
The program supports a rapid response for businesses and is accepting applications from businesses ready to start and finish their online shop within 12 weeks.
◉ Up-to 30% of funds will be reserved for Black, Indigenous and people of color owned businesses and businesses operating outside of the lower mainland and greater Victoria.
◉ The funds must be used to hire B.C.-based company(ies) to do the online store or online booking system development.
The program application has three steps
Step 1:
Develop a grant proposal that explains how you plan to use the funds. Businesses need to show a cost estimate that includes how much funding you need and how the money will be spent.
Step 2:
Complete the online application demonstrating that you meet the eligibility criteria and submit your online shop proposal.
Step 3:
Applicants will be contacted within three weeks with the outcome of their application.
Application deadlines
Program application intake is open until September 30, 2021 or until the funds have been fully subscribed. Funding will be awarded on a first-come first-serve basis to small- and medium-sized B.C. businesses.
For the projects to have an immediate benefit, the funds will be given as soon as a business has been approved for the program.
Determine your eligibility
Review the following criteria to determine if your business, including sole proprietors and non-profits, is eligible for the program.
Applicants must meet all of the following general eligibility criteria:
◉ The business is owned by a B.C. resident or residents;
◉ The business’s sole or primary operations are located in B.C.
◉ The business:
◉ Is currently operating;
◉ Is registered in B.C.
◉ Employs up to 149 B.C. residents;
◉ Pays taxes in B.C.
◉ Maintains a
◉ Federal business number
◉ GST number
◉ PST and WorkSafeBC number (where applicable)
◉ Generated sales of more than $30,000 in the past year (in 2019, or in the year preceding the application)
◉ One of the following applies:
◉ Does not currently have an online store or has an online store that has no more than three of the five identified online store features optimized
◉ Customer registration and information security features
◉ Shopping cart and order management capabilities
◉ Payment processing options including application of appropriate taxes and shipping costs at time of ordering
◉ Product catalogue, search and inventory status
◉ Website analytics and reporting capabilities
OR
◉ Does not currently have an online booking system or has an online booking system that has no more than three of the five identified online booking features optimized
◉ Customer registration and information security features
◉ Schedule navigation and reservation management capabilities
◉ Payment processing options including application of appropriate taxes at time of ordering, if applicable
◉ Automated replies and reminders
◉ Website analytics and reporting capabilities
Eligible Expenses
Funding will help cover up to 75% of costs for expenses like:
◉ Service provider costs:
◉ Platform, online shop and online booking system development
◉ Copy and online content writing
◉ Developing an online inventory of goods, products and services
◉ Pictures (including hiring a photographer), stock photos or related graphics needed
◉ Digital Customer Acquisition:
◉ E-commerce platform subscription (up to 1 year)
◉ Online advertising (up to 1 year)
◉ Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
◉ Creating banners and other embedded advertising
◉ Product catalogue, search and inventory status
◉ Website analytics and reporting capabilities
◉ Course fees to cover staff training to manage the online shop or an online booking system, learn about digital marketing, etc.
Successful applicants must use one or more B.C.-based service providers to build or improve their online store or online booking system. The only non-B.C.-based eligible expenses include:
◉ Platform subscription costs
◉ Purchase of online photos and graphics
◉ Purchase of online promotional space such as Facebook ads
◉ Online course fees
Mandatory online shop features
At the end of the 12-weeks your online shop will need to have:
◉ Customer registration and information security features
◉ Shopping cart and order management capabilities
◉ Payment processing options including taxes and shipping costs at time of ordering
◉ Product catalogue, search and inventory status
◉ Website analytics and reporting capabilities
Mandatory online booking system features
At the end of the 12-weeks your online booking system will need to have:
◉ Customer registration and information security features
◉ Schedule navigation and reservation management capabilities
◉ Payment processing options including taxes at time of ordering, if applicable
◉ Automated replies and reminders
◉ Website analytics and reporting capabilities
