Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Your guide to OCI grants: DMAP, TDP & CIT funding
ion8 is a Digital Adoption Consultant (DAC) working within OCI's Digital Competence Centre and Critical Industrial Technologies programs, helping Ontario SMEs build their funding roadmap. We do not act as the same-project implementation vendor where OCI rules require independence.
- DMAP
- TDP
- CIT
- DCC
- DMAP
- Up to $15,000
- TDP
- Follow-on to DMAP
- CIT
- Up to $10,000 in OCI support
Ontario-based SMEs with 1–499 employees are generally eligible for DMAP and related programs. OCI runs two initiatives relevant to Ontario SMEs: the Digital Competence Centre (DCC) covers DMAP, TDP, and the Retail Modernization Project Grant, while the Critical Industrial Technologies (CIT) initiative serves mining, advanced manufacturing (non-auto), agri-food, and construction.
Four OCI funding programs for Ontario SMEs
- DMAP
Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan
Build a custom digital adoption plan with a registered Digital Adoption Consultant.
Up to $15,000
50% cost-share
Ontario businesses, 1–499 employees
Rolling intake
- TDP
Technology Demonstration Program
Follow-on implementation funding for SMEs that have completed a DMAP.
Requires completed DMAP
Intake windows vary by cycle
- CIT
CIT Future Ready Program
Part of OCI's Critical Industrial Technologies initiative that supports employee upskilling tied to critical-technology adoption (AI, cybersecurity, robotics, and more).
Up to $10,000 in OCI support
Mining
Advanced manufacturing
Agri-food
Construction
- DCC
Digital Competence Centre
OCI's hub for SME digital transformation support, covering DMAP, TDP, and the Retail Modernization Project Grant.
DMAP
TDP
Retail Modernization Project Grant
Where ion8 fits
Plan with us. Implement independently.
As a Digital Adoption Consultant, ion8 helps assess your digital needs and build the DMAP and technology roadmap. Where OCI's rules require independence between planning and execution, we hand implementation to your chosen vendor or a separate ion8 team, protecting your eligibility for follow-on funding like TDP.
DAC status
ion8 is a registered Digital Adoption Consultant within the OCI ecosystem.
End-to-end or independent
We structure engagements to match OCI's independence rules, then help you execute the funded work.
FAQs
OCI funding
What's the difference between DMAP, TDP, and CIT?
DMAP (Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan) funds the planning stage — up to $15,000 with a 50% cost-share to build a digital roadmap with a registered Digital Adoption Consultant. TDP (Technology Demonstration Program) is the follow-on: implementation funding available only after a DMAP is completed. CIT (Critical Industrial Technologies) is a separate stream for mining, advanced manufacturing, agri-food, and construction employers, funding up to $10,000 in workforce upskilling tied to AI, cybersecurity, and robotics adoption.
Can ion8 both write our DMAP and implement the funded project?
We can write your DMAP as a registered Digital Adoption Consultant, but OCI's rules require independence between the planning and execution roles to protect eligibility for follow-on funding like TDP. Once the DMAP is complete, we hand implementation to your chosen vendor or a separate ion8 team.
Is my business eligible for DMAP?
Ontario-based small and mid-sized businesses with 1–499 employees are generally eligible for DMAP and related OCI programs. Exact eligibility depends on sector, revenue, and current program rules, so we confirm this directly with you before you apply.
What if the current intake window is closed?
OCI programs run on cyclical intake windows rather than staying open year-round, and a closed window doesn't mean the program is gone for good — it may reopen in a future cycle. We track intake dates across programs and can tell you when the next window is expected, so your application is ready the moment it opens.
Not sure where you fit?
We'll confirm eligibility, sequence your applications, and build the roadmap.