Update on Digital Main Street Grants Program
We are currently awaiting further updates from the Province regarding the future of the Digital Main Street Ontario Grants Program, which includes the Digital Transformation Grant and the Digital Service Squad Grant. Until a decision is made, our contract with the Digital Service Squad, which ended on June 30, 2025, prevents us from offering direct support through this program at this time. However, businesses in Brampton can still access valuable digital skills training through free webinars offered by Digital Main Street. We encourage you to take advantage of these resources to continue growing your digital presence.
Digital Service Squads are trained specialists who meet with brick-and-mortar small businesses at no cost to help them build their digital knowledge and skills. This one-on-one assistance includes support for basic website setup, Google Business Profiles, 360⁰ photos, social media presence, and much more.
The Digital Service Squad, made up of two digital technology specialists, will help brick-and-mortar small businesses across Brampton. The Squad will focus on digital assessments, building an online brand, attracting clients, and marketing and selling products using digital tools and technology. The Squad program will be delivered through the Brampton Entrepreneur Centre (BEC) under the City’s Economic Development Office.
Digital Service Squad
Free Digital Help is Here!
Brampton’s Digital Service Squad (DSS) is here to help your business achieve your digital transformation by building your online brand, helping to market and sell your products and/or services online, and to be competitive globally, all through the use of digital tools and technologies.
Brampton is home to over 100,000 small businesses. Our digital specialists work directly with your business to review your digital footprint and provide guidance and support through digital tools and technologies.
Our DSS can provide one-on-one assistance with the following:
- Completing a Digital Assessment of your business
- Provide you with a free 360-degree image of your place of business. (value: $300)
- Teach owners how to enhance their web presence through tools such as Google My Business, social media, e-commerce, etc.
- Provide guidance, resources, and recommendations on growing digitally.
Services
The Digital Service Squad provides complimentary services, including:
- Ads & Analytics
- Identity & Brand Management
- Content Creation
- Social Media
- Website & Online Presence
Eligibility
The following are eligibility criteria for businesses accessing the Brampton program through the Brampton Entrepreneur Centre:
- Employing 1-99 employees.
- Pay commercial property tax (commercially assessed), either directly or through commercial rent.
- A registered business in Ontario and/or incorporated.
- Operate within Brampton (home-based businesses are not eligible)
Owned By:
- An Ontario resident or operating a business in Ontario.
- An individual of 18 years or older at the time of application.
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
The following are not eligible to access the Brampton-funded program through BEC:
- Business supplying digital services to other businesses (e.g. website design/development, SEO, programming)
- Franchises
- Not-for-profit/charitable organization
- Renting office space temporarily (month to month)
- Shared workspace such as a hot desk or dedicated desk
- Purely online business
- Home-based
**Important: This service is not available for home-based businesses.
The Digital Service Squads’ role is to evaluate, consult and coach; not to act as an agency for your business, or be assigned administrative responsibilities that would otherwise be given to a staff member or outside firm.
