... Skip to content
Digital Accelerator

Accelerate the Development of EcommercE, AI & Tech CompanieS

The Digital Accelerator aims to increase the business growth of startups and SMEs across Quebec in Canada so they can increase brand awareness, sales and optimize their processes. The program targets eCommerce, Retail & Tech companies that are registered in Quebec and that earn revenues.

Get Access to Grants & Top Expertise to propel your Business

The Digital Accelerator is a program designed to support Quebec SMEs in their digital transformation journey. It aims to strengthen their online presence, enhance their competitiveness, and increase their productivity through advanced digital skills and customized guidance. Your entreprise could get up to 50% off its Digital Transformation costs.*
A Tailored Program to Strengthen Productivity & Online Presence

The program you were expecting for

This program stands out because it is led by seasoned experts who have successfully scaled B2B and eCommerce companies to multi-million dollar revenues and built high-performing teams. These industry experts have hands-on experience in developing and implementing digital transformation strategies that deliver real results. They use a data-driven approach and a tailored strategic guidance to help you stand out online and achieve business growth.

THE DIGITAL ACCELERATOR

Program Objective

The Digital Accelerator program is dedicated to driving online visibility, growth, and productivity for Quebec businesses. Through a comprehensive digital transition, the program supports companies in implementing innovative digital marketing, eCommerce, and B2B strategies. By providing tailored solutions and expert guidance, it empowers businesses to expand their market reach, optimize operations, and thrive in today’s competitive digital landscape.
ACCELERATION PROGRAM for eCOMMERCE, B2B & TECH Enterprises

Eligibility

You can get funding up to 50%* of your digital transformation costs through the Digital Accelerator Program if your business:

  • Is a for-profit enterprise (less than 500 employees)
  • Is registered or incorporated in Quebec, Canada (with a valid NEQ)
  • Operates as either B2C (selling goods and services online directly to end consumers) or B2B
  • Has at least one employee (besides the owner) 
  • Generated a minimum of $200,000 in annual revenue in the most recent tax year
  • Commits to maintaining a digital strategy for six months
  • Agrees to participate in follow-up surveys during the program and for one year after completion, share data about the experience, and have its name published as a grant recipient
  • Agrees to sign the Ministry of Economy & Innovation’s consent form to evaluate the program’s efficiency and impact
  • Agrees to pay the program fees upfront 
  • Agrees to complete the program to receive the grant

Projects we support

The business incubator’s program aims to support SMEs to increase their online presence and drive concrete business growth. The following projects are eligible:

  • eCommerce projects: e.g., a complete overhaul of an existing Shopify store to optimize performance and improve user experience.
  • Implementation of web marketing strategies aimed at increasing the online presence and revenues of SMEs, such as SEO/SEM strategies and lead generation campaigns.
  • Projects related to  eCommerce content strategy or B2B Content Strategy (Demand Generation) implementation, at every stage of the funnel
  • Implementation of advanced digital marketing strategies:  e.g., integration of user-generated content (UGC) into their Amazon online store to increase loyalty, conversions, customer engagement and trust.
  • Unified commerce projects: e.g., offering flexible payment options such as installment payments available both online and in-store to encourage larger purchases, or leveraging unified customer data to personalize product recommendations on the website and in marketing emails, thereby increasing conversion rates.

SEO | SEM | Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)

Increase website sales by improving the conversion funnel.

AI-Powered Product Recommendations

Increase average order value (AOV) with personalized recommendations.

Demand Generation & B2B content Marketing

Fuel the pipeline with content that resonates with your clients and create demand that converts into revenue

Marketplace Expansion

Expand product distribution to marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, or Walmart.

AI-Driven Customer Support

Set up automated email campaigns (e.g., abandoned cart, welcome series)

Dynamic Pricing and Promotions

Use AI to optimize pricing for revenue and competitiveness.

Affiliate Marketing Program

Increase traffic and sales through affiliates.

Headless Commerce Migration

Reinventing the internal architecture of a store:
Headless commerce provides the freedom to sell anywhere, without design or development constraints.

Social Commerce Integration

Sell products directly on social media platforms.

Unified Customer Data Platform (CDP) Implementation

Create a single view of the customer across all touchpoints.

Omnichannel Loyalty Program

Create a unified rewards system across online and offline channels.

Email Drip Campaigns & Lead Nurturing

Nurture prospects through automated email sequences.

How to Apply

The Digital Accelerator is a program designed to support Quebec SMEs in their digital transformation journey. It aims to strengthen their online presence, enhance their competitiveness, and increase their productivity through advanced digital skills and customized guidance. 

You need to complete the initial application form. This involves providing your enterprise information and company details, specifically your company size and structure, current revenue, market position, and primary business activities.

You should describe your key digital challenges in detail, including your current technological pain points and specific areas where you need digital transformation. The form also requires relevant enterprise data about your current digital infrastructure, technology stack, and how you allocate resources for digital initiatives.

You may need to provide supporting documentation, and assessors might follow up with additional questions to gain a complete understanding of your digital maturity level and business growth potential.

Completing the application form does not guarantee that you will receive the subsidy. It is a preliminary step to gain access to the evaluation committee.

This comprehensive assessment evaluates your digital strategy and leadership approach, current technology infrastructure, data management practices, customer experience capabilities, operational processes, and your workforce’s digital skills. 

You should submit the quote of your project costs at this stage. During this time, the program committee reviews your application and assesses your company’s digital transformation potential, resource readiness, project viability, and expected impact. You might receive preliminary feedback during this stage as the committee evaluates your application. 

If your company is eligible for the subsidy, we will get back to you with the final amount of reimbursement approved.

  • Review and accept program terms and conditions
  • You have the option to pay your project costs directly to your Senior Expert or to MTL+Ecommerce. Please note that taxes are not eligible for reimbursement, and a 5% management fee will be deducted from the total subsidy reimbursement amount.
  • Complete full payment through to MTL+eCommerce or the Digital Expert through approved payment channels
  • Pay all fees upfront, which includes:
    • Program fees 
    • Management & Evaluation fees
    • Applicable taxes (TPS and TVQ)

You’ll be assigned to an accredited Senior digital expert. This begins with an initial consultation where you’ll review your challenges in detail, set the project scope and timeline, establish key milestones and deliverables, and define how you’ll communicate throughout the program. You will receive the subsidy payment at the end of the project upon completion of a certificate signed by the Senior expert.

Upon receipt of the project invoice, you will receive an email with the exact amount of reimbursement approved for your project.

Complete the program with your assigned consultant.

  • Apply for up to 50% reimbursement * of the project fees (excluding taxes and evaluation management fees)  by June 15th 2025
  • Submit your reimbursement request with:
    • The signed completion certificate
    • Your invoice & proof of payment
  • For Training projects of 40h costing up to $7,000, the maximum subsidy is up to 50% of the total project cost.
  • For implementation projects between $7,000 and $10,000, the maximum subsidy is $3,500 (fixed amount). 
  • For implementation projects costing between $10,001 and $15,000, the maximum subsidy is $4,000(fixed amount)
  • For implementation projects costing more than $15,001, the maximum subsidy is $5,000(fixed amount).

Please note that a 5% management fee will be deducted from the total reimbursement amount (up to a maximum of 750$) of every project. Taxes are not eligible for refund.

F.A.Q

One (1) of the following:

  • Master business license 
  • Article of incorporation (Valid NEQ)
  • GST return from CRA or revenue Quebec

We prefer that you provide a government document that confirms your business registration. If you provide only a GST/HST number, then this number must be verified via the GST/HST Registry.

You can submit your application all year round. However, if you wish to join the Digital accelerator cohort, please register before 31 March, 2025. There won’t be any extension.

No. The completion of the form and the project estimation costs must be submitted to the MTL+Ecommerce evaluation committee to verify your enterprise eligibility to the program. Upon evaluation of your project, you will receive a response regarding approval or rejection. You will also be informed of the final amount you are eligible for reimbursement.

 

The digital transformation project is designed to involve between 20 and 40 hours of tailored expertise at your convenience, until June 30, 2025. The exact duration depends on the specific scope and requirements of your project, and our accredited digital consultants will work with you to tailor the timeline accordingly.

The external committee will also evaluate the digital & business needs of each enterprise.

The selection process is managed by an external jury who evaluates applications based on the following criteria:

  1. Registered in Quebec (valid NEQ)
  2. Economic growth potential 
  3. Current digital maturity level
  4. Project relevance and impact

You have the option to pay your project costs directly to your Senior Expert or to MTL+Ecommerce. Please note that taxes are not eligible for reimbursement, and a 5% management fee will be deducted from the total subsidy reimbursement amount. apply with your own consultant or provider, as all digital consultants must be accredited by MTL+eCommerce to ensure they offer senior expertise.

Reimbursement Scenario for a $7,000 Training Project (40h of training)

  1. Project Cost: $7,000 + Taxes (GST/QST)
  2. Calculated Subsidy (50% of the project cost):
    • $7,000 × 50% = $3,500
  3. Management & Evaluation Fees (5% of the total project cost):
    • $7,000 × 5% = $350
  4. Net Reimbursement:
    • $3,500 – $350 = $3,150

Summary:

  • Project Cost: $7,000 + GST/QST
  • Subsidy (50%): $3,500
  • Management Fees (5%): $350
  • Net Reimbursement: $3,150
  • Company’s Contribution: $3,850

 

 

Reimbursement Scenario for a $15,000 Digital Implementation Project (Advanced eCommerce or B2B Implementation Project)

  1. Project Cost: $15,000 + Taxes (GST/QST)
  2. Fixed Reimbursement Amount: $5,000
  3. Management & Evaluation Fees (5% of the total project cost):
    • $15,000 × 5% = $750
  4. Net Reimbursement:
    • $5,000 – $750 = $4,250

Summary:

  • Project Cost: $7,000 + GST/QST
  • Subsidy (fixed amount): $5,000
  • Management Fees (5%): $750
  • Net Reimbursement: $4,250
  • Company’s Contribution: $10,750

Each enterprise is allowed to submit only one project application.

No. You cannot apply with your own consultant or provider, as all digital consultants must be accredited by MTL+eCommerce to ensure they offer senior expertise.

Propel your Business growth today