New Tech Impact Program To Give N.B. Businesses A ‘Digital Boost’
FREDERICTON- A new program is aiming to give New Brunswick businesses a “digital boost.”
Digital technological innovations have rapidly transformed business, allowing companies to drive increases in productivity and opening up new markets. Technology also makes these businesses better able to withstand challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic. Tech Impact’s new Digital Boost program will help qualifying New Brunswick businesses to do just that.
Tech Impact’s Digital Boost program will provide 75 percent of the cost for a transformative project, up to a project maximum of $50,000, for a qualified New Brunswick-based, for-profit company with annual sales of at least $2-million that can demonstrate growth potential by deploying new or enhanced digital technologies.
Companies will be required to contribute 25 percent of the total cost of the project and to work with a qualified New Brunswick IT services provider. The total funding for this program is more than $1.2-million.
“New Brunswick is home to many outstanding IT services firms that help businesses deploy new digital technologies to survive and thrive in the current environment,” said Cathy Simpson, CEO, TechImpact, in a news release. “The Digital Boost program opens the door to help New Brunswick businesses modernize their operations, solve specific business problems, and explore new opportunities through the use of technology.”
The Digital Boost program will receive $925,000 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and $100,000 from the Government of New Brunswick. Participating companies will be required to contribute a total of $250,000 to take part in the program.
The program is open to all sectors except retail/wholesale, real estate, government services, social services and softwood lumber. Professional services firms are not considered eligible for the program.
A wide range of technology is eligible to be deployed under Digital Boost including, but not limited to: artificial intelligence/machine learning; infrastructure investment to support remote working; cloud migration; Work process modernization and automation; moving business functions online (e-commerce, inventory, distribution, customer service, et cetera);
cybersecurity and digital marketing (inbound marketing platforms, content marketing, et cetera).
“Businesses that make smart investments in new digital technologies will increase their productivity, and be more competitive and stronger in the face of unexpected challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic,” said René Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages. “We are pleased to work together with the Government of New Brunswick and TechImpact to make this program a reality for New Brunswick businesses.”