Digital Main Street

Digital Main Street, Altitude Accelerator
Digital Main Street offers programs and services to help brick and mortar businesses achieve digital transformation. The program was initially built around an online learning platform, structured training programs, and Digital Service Squads.  COVID-19 forced businesses across Ontario to close their doors this spring and many are looking for new and creative ways to attract business. With Future Proof, DMS aims to expand their support and create lasting change for small businesses across Ontario. Please direct all DMS related inquires to Lee St. James our DMS Future Proof Program Lead at Altitude Accelerator – lee.stjames@riccentre.com

DMS SUccess Stories

Digital Main Street, Altitude Accelerator

MedEssist’s multilingual, user-friendly platform helps local pharmacies prepare for COVID-19 vaccine rollout. 

MedEssist applied for the DMS Lab program and were selected in December 2020 to pilot their solution to a group of independent pharmacies in Peel region.

DMS Future Proof

Digital Main Street is a program that helps main street businesses achieve digital transformation. The program is made possible through financial support from the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund. In partnership with FedDev Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, DMS announced its new Future Proof Program on August 19, 2020. With Future Proof, DMS aims to expand their support to help small businesses across Ontario recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for future economic storms.

The Future Proof program is designed to have regions explore what is possible when we bring the innovation ecosystem together with main street businesses. It offers three streams:

1. DMS Lab Pilot Projects: funding of up to $25,000 to pilot innovations that encourage transformational change for groups of small businesses either in a BIA or across an industry group. Applications were submitted during September and October, 2020 by technology innovators; decisions will be announced soon.

2. Community Collaboration Projects: Altitude Accelerator has a budget of $50,000 to support pilot test solutions in Peel Region that address challenges at the community and regional level. Consultations started in early September with workshops and information sessions intended to encourage the sharing of ideas between municipal economic development staff, business improvement areas, boards of trade and other community stakeholders. The first two projects were selected in November 2020 with completion expected by March 1, 2021.

3. Transformation teams: individual businesses can apply to work with an interdisciplinary team of recent graduates and highly trained students that offer expertise in web design, digital marketing, graphic design, user experience/user interaction (UX/UI) and copywriting. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. 

The Future Proof Program has recently launched an augmented reality (AR) application for iOS and Android, created in partnership with ImagineAR, to show support for local businesses in Brampton and Mississauga. See the app in action.

Corporate Sponsors & Partnerships

Founded by the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) with direct support from the City of Toronto, Digital Main Street is also supported by a group of strategic corporate sponsors and government partners.

Digital Main Street, Altitude Accelerator

DMS labs

COmmunity Collaboration Project

Transformation Teams

Questions? Contact our Altitude Accelerator DMS lead Lee St. James at lee.stjames@riccentre.com.