If your business is registered with the Province, and you have your Manitoba Business Number, you can register for the Digital Manitoba Initiative. You do not need to be a member of the Chambers of Commerce or currently have a physical storefront. Once your account has been approved, you must determine your project timeline and the resources you’ll need to achieve your digital business goals. Once all the relevant documents have been gathered, you can apply for TechUP or PowerUP.

If you are not a registered Manitoba business, you are not eligible for the Digital Manitoba Initiative. Thank you for your interest in evolving your business. We encourage you to seek other funding opportunities through federal or private initiatives.

If you’ve answered no because you’re not sure what digital tools or resources might be helpful to your business, we encourage you to consult with your sector council group, industry association or local Chamber for further research. And always listen to your customers and their needs when considering any business adaptations.

If yes, then you may be eligible to register for the Digital Manitoba Initiative and apply for either TechUP or PowerUP, depending on the level of financial and time investments required to complete your proposed project. Learn more about TechUP and PowerUP here. Our goal is to help your business adapt, evolve and thrive in the digital economy so you can take advantage of all the new opportunities for growth that technology can offer, fostering stronger and more meaningful customer relationships along the way.

Technical advisory services are an admissible expense for both TechUP and PowerUP. If you’re interested in obtaining professional advice to guide your digital asset upgrades and investments, consider contacting a local IT supplier for guidance and a quote that can be included in your application to TechUP or PowerUP.

If yes, then your project may be eligible for TechUP, which is designed to provide registered businesses with grants for short-term digital investments and tech upgrades generally involving a one-time investment. If your project requires more than $5,000 and over 30 days to complete, consider applying for PowerUP, instead.

TechUP is designed for immediately actionable investments in your digital assets and business development tools. Once you’ve identified what digital assets and tools you’d need for a successful digital adaptation, as well as any necessary tech support, consider applying for TechUP and include all quotes and receipts in your application.

If your proposed investment exceeds $5,000 and requires more than 30 days to execute, consider registering for PowerUP which may grant up to $25,000 for larger projects.

If you answered yes to all of the above criteria, your project may be eligible for PowerUP. This capacity-building program is designed to grant businesses up to $25,000 for the undertaking of digital adaptation projects that can be completed in under 90 days with a maximum investment of $25,000. If you can not demonstrate that your project will be completed within 90 days or provide receipts for each stage of funding within that time frame, it is not eligible.

Technical advisory services are an admissible expense for both TechUP and PowerUP. If you’re interested in obtaining professional advice to guide your digital asset upgrades and investments, consider contacting a local IT supplier for guidance and a quote that can be included in your application to TechUP or PowerUP.

Whatever your answer, we won’t judge. Technology is advancing so rapidly that it’s virtually impossible for even the most digitally savvy to keep up with all the new tech tools, platforms and algorithm updates. However, businesses that know how to utilize digital assets are better equipped to stay competitive in the evolving modern economy. In other words, business operators must be digitally literate.

You can develop your digital literacy and craft a more effective social marketing strategy by using TechUP funds to subsidize the cost of digitally-minded upskilling courses, up to $5,000.

Regardless of your answer, if you read this question and hesitated (or aren’t even really sure what it means) the Digital Manitoba Initiative was designed for you. We have officially entered into a digital-first economy. The TechUP and PowerUP grant opportunities are here to help you adapt and thrive in this new landscape, whether your needs involve digital asset creation and development, legacy system upgrades or digital literacy upskilling initiatives. Read about the TechUP and PowerUP incentives to learn more about how they can benefit your business.

If you said yes, the PowerUP program may be able to turn your digital adaptation dreams into reality. PowerUP provides a maximum grant of $25,000 to business owners that want to expand their business’s capacity and disrupt its current systems through larger, more strategic digital adaptation projects. Eligible projects will include a detailed timeline demonstrating that all funded stages can be accomplished within 90 days following approval, including all quotes or professional statements necessary to support their funding rationale.

If you’re not willing to take on the responsibility of a long term investment in your business’s digital transformation, you may still be eligible for TechUP, which is designed to provide resources of up to $5,000 for business owners to invest and upgrade their digital assets, tools and continued learning.

The Digital Manitoba Initiative opens October 20, 2021 and will accept applications for TechUP and PowerUP on a rolling, first come, first served basis. Once you’ve decided on a course of actions and determined what tools you’ll need to invest in the future success of your business in the digital economy, consider re-taking this quiz to determine your eligibility for TechUP or PowerUP.

You probably already know what you need to do in order to boost sales and stay competitive, but something has been holding you back. Here is your opportunity to take the leap and minimize your risk. TechUP is designed to act as an incentive for businesses to try new things, reimbursing your expenses up to $5,000. So, go buy that professional camera and audio equipment. Don’t be afraid to shoot your own promotional videos and finally launch that podcast! The Digital Manitoba Initiative is here to support your evolution and growth.

If you answered no because you are not in financial need, thank you for allowing the Digital Manitoba Initiative to distribute its limited funds to businesses in need. If you said no because you aren’t convinced that digital adaptation is important for your business, you may want to reconsider.

Your business can thrive in the modern economy by using digital technologies to create, modify or optimize existing processes, culture, and customer experiences. Digitally enabled businesses use data and technology to create new value in their business models that enhance financial and operational efficiency as well as customer experiences and retention. By taking advantage of these opportunities to evolve, businesses can create more meaningful relationships with their customers, strengthen their competitive advantage in the modern economy, and maximize their profitability.