This $80 million, three-year pilot program will spur innovation, and increase the productivity of, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) that adopt digital technologies and integrate them into their business models.

DTAPP is designed to speed up the rate at which SMEs in Canada adopt digital technology and build digital skills. Through new and existing networks and relationships with colleges and organizations across Canada, the DTAPP team provides SMEs access to expertise in the digital technology adoption field. The DTAPP team also works with other government organizations to leverage the synergies of all available digital economy strategy resources.

If a company is incorporated, has 500 employees or less, and is currently seeking opportunities to adopt digital technology with a goal of increasing productivity, then the company could be eligible to receive assistance from NRC-IRAP through the DTAPP team. DTAPP could also assist colleges or not-for-profit organizations that are interested in delivering services to SMEs in order to help them adopt digital technologies.

Learn more about the DTAPP program online.

Launched in July 2011, DataBC is the first provincial open data initiative in Canada. It is a key aspect of the Provinces’ open government mandate to improve transparency and citizen engagement.

It is also part of the Province’s effort to spur innovation in the private sector. Governments are becoming aware that data – the quantitative information about their services and the communities they serve – is not just a by-product of operations, but a valuable strategic asset. DataBC make these assets available by providing reliable, authoritative and accessible data as an essential ingredient to identify and solve problems.

If you are an entrepreneur, the Province’s open data may fuel your next startup or new product commercialization. For example, the library datasets on DataBC give the location of all of the public libraries in BC. A developer could create a smartphone app that allows users to find BC public libraries. Many of the datasets available in the DataBC Catalogue are similarly geographically enabled, presenting opportunities to create map apps for the growing mobile market.

To make investments, you require as much certainty as possible from government policy. The cornerstone of a solid foundation for investment is the Open Government Licence. With only a few conditions, the license provides certainty and peace of mind as you grow your business. To view the entire OGL, click here.

Follow the link to DataBC and search the Catalogue for data that can help your business. If you can’t find what you are looking for send a data request at data@gov.bc.ca.

The Rick Hansen Institute is providing emerging companies, seeking financing for an innovation related to accelerating progress to a cure for paralysis after spinal cord injury or innovations that will improve the lives of those living with SCI, the opportunity to pitch their company and innovation to the delegation at Interdependence 2012.

Five companies will be selected by an external panel and have the opportunity to present directly to various experts and key opinion leaders from across the continuum of spinal cord injury research and care, including investors with experience in the life sciences and healthcare sectors. Timing of the presentations with respect to the Interdependence 2012 program schedule will be determined at a later date.

Learn more about application criteria and important dates online.

He is presently the director of Simon Fraser University’s Innovation Office, President and Chairman of Greenangel Energy Corp, President of the Western Universities Technology Innovation Fund (WUTIF), and runs the Vancouver Angel Network (VANTEC).

And now Volker’s book titled Making the Business Case is available in e-book format and downloadable for free online.

Do you have an idea for a business? This book will help you to determine how to go about turning your idea into reality and cash. More importantly, though, as a first step it will help you determine if the idea is even worth pursuing in the first place. To get partners and investors, you must make a business case. This means having the answers to some tough questions, the most important question being: How will your idea make money? You will also learn how to best communicate your idea using an effective Executive Summary and a well-honed elevator pitch.

Designed, but certainly not limited to women entrepreneurs who have launched or are looking to launch a new business. Everybody is welcome.

The 6 interactive workshops run from January to June and are 2.5 hours each. Each workshop is limited to 20-25 individuals per session (15 women entrepreneur members, 5 entrepreneurial-minded members;, and up to 5 non-members).

Sign up online today.  Questions? Please email ashlee@fwe.ca or call 604.682.8115.

The deadline to apply is January 20th and this time around they’re interested in your company if it falls into one of these categories – Platforms, Big Data, Developer Tools, Analytics/BI, Mobile, Enabling Tools, Infrastructure, Automation, and Performance Management.

“The .CA Impact Awards is truly unique amongst awards programs,” says Byron Holland, President and CEO of the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA). “By celebrating .CA websites that make an impact, we are recognizing the Internet as a powerful agent of social change.”

CIRA is looking for people and organizations that use their .CA websites to make a positive difference in the lives of their users and those around them. Impact can be social, cultural, political, technological, or economic.

The Impact Awards is seeking entries in four categories: Public Sector and Not-for-Profit, eLearning, Small Business and Applications. Entries for the 2012 awards will be received until March 23rd.

Winners of the Impact Awards will receive $5,000 each and the added visibility which comes from winning a national award.

If you’re thinking of applying to you, you should ask yourself: Is an accelerator right for me and my business?

Vancouver-based GrowLab is looking for applications for their next cohort, so they have taken on the task of helping you answer that question.

On January 17th, GrowLab is hosting an Info Night for the startup community to explore the topic of accelerators a little further. GrowLab founders and portfolio companies will be there to share some insights and personal experiences that will hopefully help you determine if applying to an accelerator is the right move for your startup.

The Info night is at GrowLab headquarters at 116 West Hastings on January 17th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm. Register online for free.

Connie Linder was recognized in the Trailblazers and Trendsetters category and Cybele Negris was acknowledged in the Champions category.

Linder co-founded Vancouver-based Polymer Research Technologies Ltd. which won the top prize at the BCIC-New Ventures Competition for 2011. Negris is the President of Webnames.ca – a sponsor of the BCIC-New Ventures Competition.

Here are their write-ups from today’s Financial Post.

Connie Linder: Insight Creative Communications

Connie Linder is an entrepreneur, business strategist and creative communications professional who has focused on innovative start-ups and sustainability issues for much of her career. She established consulting firm Insight Creative Communications in 1999 and recently began creating her own start-up businesses. For example, Linder co-founded Vancouver-based Polymer Research Technologies Ltd., a company specializing in the chemical recycling of polyurethanes that recently won the top prize at the BCIC-New Ventures Competition for 2011. She’s also launching a web-based search engine/directory designed to make sustainable products, services and information more widely accessible. A noted speaker, Linder recently delivered the keynote address at the University of British Columbia’s Ignite Conference. She’s also active in the community, having served as chair of the Vancouver International Children’s Festival, and she also developed an African Education Initiative associated with Rotary International. In 2008, Linder was recognized as a leader in sustainability by UBC.

Cybele Negris: Co-founder and president, Webnames.ca

Cybele Negris helped start Webnames.ca, Canada’s original .ca registrar, offering services such as domain extensions, domain portfolio management, domain privacy, web hosting, Web Builder, e-mail, SSL certificates and a range of other online solutions. After its 2009 acquisition of Ripe B2B Inc., Webnames.ca started to provide software and systems development services and has also launched a Search Engine Optimization Consultation service and a WordPress Web Development Program integrated with social media called Essentials. Negris is the vice-chair of Small Business BC’s board and also serves on the boards of the Small Business Roundtable of British Columbia and the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs.

The bootcamp is a one-day session to help companies design, implement and capitalize on the benefits of market research using the latest tools, techniques and practical approaches that companies of any size can use.

Designed for both startups and growth companies, the Rocket Academy session will combine an overview of key concepts with applied learning through case examples, interactive discussions and best practices checklists.

Register online today.