Digital investment goes a long way

DMI grants and programs have helped hundreds of businesses adapt to compete in today’s digital market and we’re not stopping there. See our impact across the province for yourself and find out how local business owners have used their grants to transform their operations.

Creating Impact

Technology moves fast and every business, regardless of size or industry, needs to keep pace. This is an ongoing, ever-changing process as businesses encounter new challenges and technology continues to evolve. Upgrading technology often seems complex and overwhelming, adding to the difficulties many companies face. Despite this uncertainty, investing in technology is not optional — it’s the key to increased productivity, enhanced operational efficiencies, staff retention, and access to new markets.
In 2021, The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce launched DMI to make digital adaptation more accessible and help our province adapt to the increasingly digital world. This initiative is designed to address the digital needs of Manitoba businesses across industries. Since October 2021, the MCC has delivered the TechUP and PowerUP grant programs and the Digital Services Program.
A computer with gears icon.

Digital Services Program

Learning From the Experts

In March 2022, the MCC launched the Digital Services Program, pairing eligible SMEs with third-party expert advisors. The defined services are developed for companies who have already been growing their digital footprint and need to make a step change. These curated services empower business decisions around technology investments.

Digital Service Streams

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Business Technology Assessment

Tailored IT roadmap to guide investments.
02

Cybersecurity Audit

Custom report defining cybersecurity posture.
03

Digital Legal Services

Privacy policy, terms of use, or end-user-license-agreement.

Building MomentuM – Year One Report

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Companies participated

Program was fully subscribed
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New IT investment

Planned among participants

Urban & Rural Participation

With 71 companies operating in Winnipeg and 29 across southern Manitoba, year one had balanced provincial participation

Location of Program Participants

Winnipeg
Brandon
Carman
Morden
Portage la Prairie
Stonewall
Clearwater
Gimli
Headlingly
Ile des Chenes
Mitchell
Neepawa
Onanole
Otterburne
Stanley
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Engaging Small and Midsize Companies

83% of participants have less than 100 employees, while 51% have between 2 and 19

Cross-Sector Participation

Program participants came from a wide range of industries
Sector Participants
Manufacturing
Professional, scientific, and technical services
Other services
Healthcare and social assistance
Construction
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting
Arts, entertainment, and recreation
Educational services
Finance and insurance
Technology, information, and cultural industries
Wholesale trade
Accommodation and food services
Public sector
Wholesale trade
Real estate, rental, and leasing
Transportation and warehousing

Building Digital Competence and Confidence

Following each service participants were interviewed to provide feedback and their general business outlook going forward.

Exit Interview Themes

Willing to invest, once they know where and why

Through the program, participants gained the confidence to move forward with technology investment and related training.
Expertise once illuminated can’t be unseen
For most companies, this was the first time they’d accessed executive-level advice around technology integration. The impact on participants was transformative.

Gaining a bias to act

Having gained confidence in their technology roadmap participants adopted an assertive competitive posture with certainty around implementation.
A positive, learning experience
Participants indicated there was a good fit with their DMI account manager and digital advisor, and that the process was smooth and friction-free.
Testimonials

“The Cybersecurity Audit identified vulnerabilities we’d missed, and helped us save significantly on cyber insurance.”

Wayne Wall, Infrastructure Manager — Décor Cabinets 

“We are too small to have a lawyer on contract, the program provided the website privacy policy we needed.”

Katie McInnes, Owner — The Dogs Run Farm

“We received practical technology advice in plain language to support our team and our goals.”

Dan Joanisse, Executive Director — Spinal Cord Injury Manitoba

“IT issues impacted productivity, efficiency, and even staff morale. Now we have actionable steps to solve these problems.”

Chris Tuk, CFO — The Bethania Group

“We now understand our cybersecurity threats, where they're coming and how to address them.”

Ilya Yunanov, Sales & Marketing Director — bf workplace

“Our new website privacy policy ensures we’re up to date as a regulatory body.”

Dima Vainer, Director of IT — CPA Manitoba

“The program helped us ramp up our technology to make our growing business more efficient.”

Samantha Davidson, Bookkeeper, Safety & Office Manager — Character Homes

“We received excellent analysis of our risks in terms of their seriousness vs. effort required to remedy them.”

Stuart Berenhaut, Broker/Owner — Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate

“Our new website Terms of Use policy gives us confidence and enforceability as our business expands.”

Jill Easson, Manager, Special Projects — Cross Country Manufacturing

TechUP & PowerUP

Investing in Technology Pays Dividends

Grants of almost $14 million were disbursed to over 1,300 Manitoba-based businesses that used funds to update and upgrade essential digital tools and processes in 2021 and 2022. Building on takeaways through discussions with business owners, there were some common threads that emerged. One key component was a fear of spending hard-earned revenues without confidence in where to invest in digital adaptations.

Everybody Wins

Ultimately, as more businesses across different sectors increase their digital capacity, the effects can be seen across Manitoba’s entire economy in terms of increased output, more high-paying jobs, increased market competitiveness, and improved quality of life for Manitobans.

About the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce

Since 1931, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has served as the umbrella association for Manitoba’s action-oriented chamber movement. Today, with 64 local Chambers of Commerce across the province and hundreds of direct corporate members, our network comprises almost 10,000 organizations of all sizes and across all sectors. As the “Voice of Business in Manitoba,” we advocate for sustainable economic development, entrepreneurial success, vibrant communities, and a strong future. To learn more about the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and to become a member visit mbchamber.mb.ca