What Is The Launch Online Grant Program and How Can Branding Agencies Help?
These past couple of years have not been easy for a lot of people.
The local economy has taken a dip since the start of the pandemic. Especially for small and medium-sized businesses losing revenue, customers and their community.
There is some good news for today to help with some of these losses with the help of the government and branding agencies.
The B.C. government has invested another 30 million to help B.C. businesses get back on their feet. They’re providing a maximum of $7,500 for each small, or medium business that can benefit from launching an e-commerce site to reach their community and grow their sales.
The Launch Online Grant Program is designated for small and medium-sized businesses to use to build an online shop or an online booking system. It can also be used to improve an existing website.
The program is still accepting applications and it’s based on a first-come, first-served operation up until September 30th, 2021, or until the funds have been fully distributed to those in need.
The Launch Online Grant Program is now welcoming businesses prepared to debut their online store or booking system within 12 weeks, as the grants must be utilized to engage B.C.-based firms for the creation or revamp of the online platform.
This strategic investment fosters a circular economy, allowing the grant funds to flow back into B.C.-based digital branding agencies or marketing firms. Such an approach not only bolsters revenue within the local B.C. community but also supports the growth and success of these agencies, including those focused on startup branding.
Additionally, this initiative contributes to the preservation and expansion of employment opportunities within digital and startup branding agencies in B.C.
This blog is going to tell you who qualifies for BC’s Launch Online Grant, and how to apply for the Launch Online Grant.
We have the information you need to get approved, and we also have the tools, expertise and team to help small and medium-sized businesses thrive online.
From website development, creative branding to strategic content marketing, we can offer it all with your unique vision in mind because we’re a full-service agency. We are known for turning companies into memorable brands. We’re no strangers to helping companies thrive.
We are experts in helping companies start their online business ventures. It’s what we specialize in.
Things have changed, and we’re here to support you.
Who Is The Launch Online Grant Program For?
You might be wondering who is qualified for The Online Grant Program and if it is for you.
If you’re a B.C. resident with a small business needing to scale online, this is for you.
Since the B.C. government has invested another 30 million to help small and medium-sized businesses, it’s an opportunity to revive your company. A chance to seek out marketing and branding agencies like The Branded to help you, too.
It is for businesses that have been hit hard in many different industries like hotel, tourism and the service industry. Not to mention smaller or micro-businesses that rely on their sales to get by. Business owners can now apply for this grant so that they recover and grow back what was lost.
An important note to make is that the B.C. government has reserved and allocated 30% of the grant funds towards Black, Indigenous and People of Colour-owned (BIPOC) businesses.
“The pandemic has impacted so many people throughout B.C., it has also disproportionately impacted people and communities of colour,” – Nerissa Allen, president of, Black Business Association of BC.
It highlights that our recovery as a community must be inclusive. It needs to include everyone with no hierarchy in mind to ensure that no one gets left behind.
“I am pleased to see funding set aside for the Black, Indigenous and people of colour business community. This change, combined with opening the grant program to service-based businesses, will give business owners and entrepreneurs the opportunity to access funds that will help revive their business.” – Nerissa Allen
It also includes businesses operating outside of the lower mainland. Victoria included too.
How To Apply for the Online Grant Program
Applying for The Online Grant Program is straightforward. The proposed grant has three steps in its process, and we’ve included it right here.
This is taken right out of the Launch Online website.
Step 1: “Develop a grant proposal that explains how you plan to use the funds. Businesses need to show a cost estimate that includes how much funding you need and how the money will be spent.”
Step 2: “Complete the online application demonstrating that you meet the eligibility criteria and submit your online shop proposal.”
Step 3: “Applicants will be contacted within three weeks with the outcome of their application.”
At The Branded, we can provide more information to help you get approved and begin your online journey to recovery.
Where Can We Invest The Online Grant?
Over 3,500 small businesses have applied, proving the need for the support.
The first step of the application details the need to develop a grant proposal and explain how the applicant intends to use the funds. With that, a cost estimate needs to be included along with information on how much money will be spent on the eligible expenses.
The funding will help cover 75% of costs for these expenses:
Service provider costs:
Platform, online shop and online booking system development
Copy and online content writing
Developing an online inventory of goods, products and services
Pictures (including hiring a photographer), stock photos or related graphics needed
Digital Customer Acquisition:
E-commerce platform subscription (up to 1 year)
Online advertising (up to 1 year)
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Creating banners and other embedded advertising
Course fees to cover staff training to manage the online shop or an online booking system, learn about digital marketing, etc.
Successful applicants are required to use B.C-based marketing and branding agencies to build or improve their online store or online booking system. Creating a circular economy that helps other businesses thrive in their respective field, too.
The only non-B.C.-based eligible expenses include:
Platform subscription costs
Purchase of online photos and graphics
Purchase of online promotional space such as Facebook ads
Online course fees
As we keep this in mind, we understand that some businesses aren’t fully versed in the digital world. We’re here to help with that.
We can scale your business online together. From your first online sale to full scale.
How To Get Approved For the Launch Online Grant Program
Let’s get you approved.
As a B.C.-owned business, you need to meet all the eligibility criteria. Here are the important ones listed below.
The business is registered in B.C. and is owned by a B.C. resident
The business’s sole or primary operations are located in B.C.
Generated sales of more than $30,000 in the past year (in 2019, or in the year preceding the application)
One of the following applies:
Does not currently have an online store or has an online store that has no more than three of the five identified online store features optimized
Customer registration and information security features
Shopping cart and order management capabilities
Payment processing options including application of appropriate taxes and shipping costs at time of ordering
Product catalogue, search and inventory status
Website analytics and reporting capabilities
OR
Does not currently have an online booking system or has an online booking system that has no more than three of the five identified online booking features optimized
Customer registration and information security features
Schedule navigation and reservation management capabilities
Payment processing options including application of appropriate taxes at time of ordering, if applicable
Automated replies and reminders
Website analytics and reporting capabilities
You can view the full eligibility criteria here.
How This Grant Can Help Your Business
This grant can help your business thrive online. Small and medium-sized businesses had to change the way they operate at the start of the pandemic.
Some have made it, and some are still painfully picking up the pieces. We empathize with this because we know ourselves what it takes to build a business and the amount of work that goes into it.
This grant is meant to pave the way to recovery. A way to find a new perspective. A new community to build.
The grant’s purpose is to build a new shop or booking system for your company.
Building an online shop can expand your business immensely. From reaching your target audience to finding different communities to showcase your service or product to, it’s a space where you’re able to grow.
With the right branding agency that can help you design your brand identity, brand image and brand mission along with website design and website development.
You can start again. You can scale again.
At The Branded, we focus on curated solutions for your unique position in your business. As a boutique branding agency, we are hands-on and pay importance to your story. We want to tell your story through your brand voice because your business has a brand story to tell.
Because you have an impactful story to tell through your business, this can create brand authenticity and brand awareness. With that, it builds trust with the audience and customers you are targeting.
It’s time to sustain and grow your business online so that you can thrive again.
Your voice and your story matter.
Partner with us. Let’s get your business making sales and customers happy.
How Digital Branding Agencies Can Help You
As a small or medium-sized business, you might be wondering how marketing or branding agencies can help you further in terms of reaching your goal of financial recovery or business recovery.
Because of isolation and social distancing, online sales have doubled through 2020. They are also expected to increase further into 2021.
This is why online marketing and digital branding agencies are an investment for your company.
To survive and make it through, having an online presence boosts your revenue and income.
Branding experts with brand strategies and marketing development plans are investments in your business today.
With The Online Grant Program provided by the B.C. government, they make it clear that the successful applicants must work with local B.C. services to provide them with an online shop or an online booking system.
This not only provides small businesses with the chance to thrive online but also secures circularity for the local B.C. economy.
Branding agencies like us, The Branded, can help you.
How The Branded Can Help You With Your Online Business
We’ve created The Branded to be a little bit different than other branding agencies.
Get your business online in a way that will drive customers and revenue long term.
We have fair and transparent pricing, and we do not leave you in the dark. There are no hidden fees. We also offer flat-rate packages. We’re flexible when it comes to the number of services we offer.
Because we’re a full-service agency, we can help you from the start of your online journey.
We take businesses who need help in creating a brand, an online presence and everything in between. From website development to e-commerce and marketing campaigns.
With us, you’re covered from your first successful sale and beyond.
More Information On The Launch
Online Grant Program
Now that you are equipped with all the information you need. It’s time to apply and begin the application for the Launch Online Grant Program.
After successfully getting approved, we can then work together to get your business on the right track.
We’ll build your online shop and discuss how your brand can scale further.
“The Launch Online Grant program responds to the way the pandemic has changed the business world, and the strong demand shows we are filling an untapped need. ”
Here are some links for more information on The Launch Online Grant Program.
Launch Grant Online Program Website
Online Grant Program Press Release
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