(flickr.com)

Media Contacts

Jen Holmwood

Press Secretary
Deputy Communications Director
Office of the Premier
Jen.holmwood@gov.bc.ca
250 818-4881

Lori Cascaden

Communications Manager
Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
lori.cascaden@gov.bc.ca
778 698-2892

Backgrounders

Launch Online Grant program overview

The Launch Online Grant program is based on a first-come, first-served basis. The program will provide eligible business owners with up to $7,500 to cover 75% of eligible expense to develop or enhance an e-commerce platform.

The program will run until Sept. 30, 2021, or until all funds are distributed.

Eligibility criteria for businesses include having:

  • a goods and services tax number and paying taxes in B.C.;
  • generated sales of more than $30,000 in either 2019 or 2020, and;
  • one to 149 employees (applications can be submitted by sole proprietors).

As part of the application, businesses are required to develop a grant proposal that indicates how they plan to use the funds.

Recipients of the Launch Online Grant can use the funding for a variety of online-related expenses, including cost to build the online shop or booking system, pictures, advertising costs, subscription costs of an e-commerce platform and training staff to manage the online shop or online booking system.

All service providers used to create or enhance the businesses online shop or online booking system must be based in B.C. and be registered to do business in B.C.

Based in Victoria, Alacrity is a non-profit organization that promotes technology entrepreneurship and facilitates regional investment.