Update: On May 25, 2020, little more than a month after the program began, the Ontario government paused the $2.5 million Agri-Food Open for E-Business program and took the applications offline. Once the existing applications have been reviewed, the program will re-open to new additional applications if funding is still available.
If you’re looking to take your agri-food business online, the Ontario and Federal governments are willing to help. The Agri-Food Open for E-Business Program offers two funding streams. One provide grants of $5,000 to help establish an online presence and the other offers cost-share funding for up to 90 percent of $75,000 to develop larger-scale e-business opportunities.
“Bring Your Business Online” provides grants of up to $5,000 to establish or expand your website, e-commerce, and online marketing.
Eligible costs incurred after April 24, 2020 include such things as developing, enhancing, or expanding an online marketing/sales platform (e.g. e-business capability, website, online ordering, overall online presence); website design and graphic development; marketing (including search engine optimization (SEO), online advertising, and building social media presence); and more.
You’re eligible if you operate a business in the agriculture, agri-food, or agri-product sectors and comply with all the government requirements.
To learn more about this program and the more extensive “Develop Online Business Opportunities” grant program, visit the targeted intake page.