UNLOCK UP TO $15,000

Automate your small business operations with government funding

Unlock up to $15,000 in matching government funding for professional support to upgrade your technology, make smarter investments, and automate the tasks that slow your business down.

Check eligibility

Why now

Manual work is the most expensive line item on your P&L.

You don't see it on the income statement, but it's there. Every hour your team spends keying invoices, chasing inventory, updating CRM records, or generating the same reports is an hour that costs you in payroll and momentum. Most businesses just absorb it.

The teams pulling ahead right now are deploying automations that handle the repetitive operational work in the background. Cleaner data, faster cycles, lower costs, and a team that gets to focus on the work that actually grows the business.

That's what this grant is for. If you're an Ontario business, the government will cover up to $15,000 of it.

Who qualifies

Ontario businesses

5-499 employees

$500K+ annual revenue

Businesses eager to optimize operations

Manufacturing, construction, wholesale, distribution, agri-food, and mining industries

What we build

Automation systems built around the work you actually do.

We don't sell off-the-shelf software. We assess where automation will move the needle in your business, then design and deploy systems custom-built for your operations.

Automation Audit & Strategy

We map your operations end-to-end, identify the highest-ROI automation opportunities, and build a phased rollout plan tailored to your industry and team capacity. (replaces "AI Audit," sharper)

Custom AI Agents

Design and deployment of AI agents trained on your data and processes. Quoting, scheduling, customer follow-ups, internal coordination, reporting — built for the workflows your team runs every day. (keeps original; light polish)

ERP & CRM Automation

We connect your systems and automate the data flows between them. Less manual entry, fewer mismatched records, cleaner reporting across sales, ops, and finance. (reframed: was "integration," now "automation")

Document & Data Workflows

Invoice processing, AP/AR matching, contract review, inventory updates, compliance reporting. We build automations that handle the document-heavy work that's eating your team's time.

Website & Customer Experience

Revamp design, development, and SEO so your site converts better and shows up in AI-powered search.

Implementation & Training

Every build comes with hands-on training so your team owns the system after we leave. We stay close through rollout, optimize as you scale, and make sure adoption sticks.

Your digital transformation begins here

We've helped over 100 small businesses unlock government funding for AI and technology upgrades. Fill out the form below and we'll be in touch within 48 hours.

Successfully submitted.

Congrats, you may be a great fit for the DMAP program. Book a consultation call to find out more.

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

ABOUT US

Official partner with Ontario's Future Ready Program

The Future Ready program supports Ontario SMEs in key sectors including Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Agri-food, and Mining by helping them upskill employees on emerging technologies.

Islands is an official CIT and DCC Program Advisor, helping Ontario small businesses unlock government funding for digital transformation. As a certified Digital Consultancy, we handle the complete process, from funding applications to building and implementing custom technology.

Book a free consultation call

Ali El-Shayeb

Founder & CEO of Islands

Serial entrepreneur, investor, and AI operator out of Toronto. With two AI exits behind him, Ali works with high-growth teams as a Fractional CTO, designing agentic systems, training their people to build alongside them, and turning AI strategy into shipped work.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What business owners ask us

Quick answers to help you understand how the grant works for your business.

Is my business eligible for the automation grant?

Your business may be eligible if you're an Ontario small or medium enterprise (SME) with fewer than 500 employees, more than $500K in revenue over the last three years, and operate in Manufacturing, Construction, Wholesale, Distribution, Agri-food, or Mining industries. We'll help you determine eligibility during your free consultation call.

How much funding can I get?

You can access up to $15,000 in government funding through the DMAP program to develop your digital transformation strategy and automation solutions. During our first call, we'll assess your business needs and determine if you qualify for this or other available government funding programs.

What does the application process look like?

It's simple - we handle everything for you. After your consultation call, we help you complete all the paperwork and submit your application. Most clients are approved within 2-4 weeks.

What type of solution can I get?

You'll receive a comprehensive Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan that includes technology assessments, automation recommendations, implementation roadmaps, and ongoing support - all customized for your specific business needs. As a technology company, we can even develop any AI and automation technology needed for your business.

Do I have to pay anything?

This is a 50% matching grant program. Your business contributes $15,000 toward technology solutions, and the government provides a matching $15,000 grant.

What is the DMAP program?

DMAP (Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan) is an Ontario government program that provides funding to help small businesses evaluate their technology needs and plan their digital transformation.

Why should I work with Islands?

We're official CIT and DCC Program Advisors with a proven track record. Besides supporting your business at no cost with the application process, we have deep expertise in automation solutions, and provide end-to-end support from funding to product development and implementation.

APPROVAL PROCESS

How to apply for the Digital & AI Training Grant

We guide you through the entire process. Approval typically takes 30 days.

Check eligibility

Book a Call

We map where AI can help your business most and which modules fit your team.

Application and proposal

We handle the paperwork and build a custom funding proposal for your business.

Get approved and start training

Access up to $10,000 in funding and start hands-on, agentic AI training built specifically for your team.

WALL OF LOVE

Real results from real businesses

We specialize in helping businesses secure funding for both digital transformation and AI adoption. Our team ensures a seamless application process, from eligibility assessment t project implementation. See what our clients have to say:

Monty Elsabbagh, Director

Ottawa General Contractors

We weren’t just learning theory—we werebuilding AI workflows that solved realbottlenecks. This was the best kind of hands-ontraining: clear, relevant, and future-ready.

Vash Bhatia, CEO

Myron Tile & Stone

The Islands AI training felt like a lightbulb going off. This was the first time AI made real sense for our business, making AI actually useful, not just cool.

Junaid Zabir, COO

Toronto Construction

Islands made AI click for me and my team. It’snot just about tools, it’s a new way of thinkingabout scaling our work.

Mohammad El Hassan, CEO

Infinite Distribution Inc.

Our partnership was all about strategy. Islandcame in, assessed our business, and showed usexactly where AI would drive ROI. It was hands-on consulting and results.

Husam Abu Hashem, CEO

International Design Stars

From automation to customer experience, theirtraining gave us a whole new toolkit to rethinkhow we do business. We're now miles ahead ofwhere we started.

Amal Ahmed, President

Selections Interiors and Design

We’ve tried trainings before, but nothing likethis. Islands gave us clarity, direction, animmediate ways to streamline our work. We leftwith tools we actually use every day.

Mark Anthony, CEO

Noble Ground

Their LLM sessions were strategic, fast-paced and laser-focused on our real needs. I’d recommend Islands to any founder trying to bring AI into operations.

Khaled Daoued, CEO

Arcan Glass Inc.

Their AI training was detailed, actionable, and made me rethink how we run key processes. The team came out more efficient and more confident in using AI.

Justin Hocking, Director

JH & Co

From prompt engineering to smart automations, every part of the program delivered immediate ROI. This is AI strategy with execution.

Angie Polanco, Owner

Elite Iron Design

Islands upskilled our team quickly, but more than that, they taught us how to build, test, anddeploy AI solutions that actually work in our dayto-day environment.

Akram Hanna, Owner

Hanna Homes Construction

They didn’t just train our team. They restructured how we think about AI, applying it to procurement, site operations, and client communications with deep expertise.

Roger Sabat, CEO

Biiibo

Islands helped us unlock Grant (DMAP) thatdirectly supported our growth plans. Theirprocess was efficient and clear, and the impacton our hiring and internal systems wasimmediate.

Abdallah El-Falou, CTO

FluidAI Medical

Working with Islands gave us a real edge. Theyhandled the complexities of the grant processwhile we focused on scaling. The grant fundingwe secured through them accelerated keyinitiatives across our team.

Anan Massud, Head of Sales

Toronto General Contractors

Phenomenal team and very fast work. Glad wemet Ali and the team. They work diligently andhave helped us secure $25K funding in weeks,with very little effort on our side.

Valentin Staykov, CEO

Pastel

Islands made it incredibly easy for us to accessnon-dilutive capital. Their team understood ourbusiness, acted fast, and helped us makemeaningful progress without slowing us down.

Devin Holmberg, Founder

YTZ Management Inc.

Partnering with Islands was a smart move for us.They streamlined the entire funding process and helped us secure the support we needed tostrengthen our back office and internalcapabilities. Highly recommend them to anygrowing company.

Salpy Sepan, General Manager

Ararat Trading Corp.

We’ve worked with other consultants in the past, but Islands was on another level. Their team made the grant process seamless, and we were able to invest into areas of the business that needed immediate attention.

Umang Dua, Director

Trysight

Working with Islands felt like having an in-housegrants team. They guided us through every step, from identifying the right fundingopportunities to handling the full submissionprocess. Their support directly helped us investmore confidently in our team and productroadmap.

Limited funds available

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Book a free 30-minute consultation today and find out how much your company qualifies for.

Book a strategy session

No pitches, no hard sell. Just a real conversation.