Objectives

The IT Kickstart program encourages small and medium-sized businesses across Pennsylvania to implement information technology projects. The program will enable your business to:

• Increase competitiveness
• Increase profitability
• Improve relationships with customers
• Provide access to a broader range of IT suppliers

Eligibility

• Businesses must employ less than 500 employees and have been established (i.e. have had sales) for at least one year
• Maximum grant funding is 25 percent of PA-based external consulting cost up to $7500
• Minimum grant amount is $500
• Grant cannot be used to purchase hardware or software
• Project cannot be started prior to grant being awarded
• The selected vendor must be located in Pennsylvania
• Organizations can be awarded no more than 2 IT KickStart grants through this program

Ready to Apply?

Read through our program details, benefits summary and sample contract, then fill out the grant application. The application must be approved before the IT project has begun in order to qualify.

Our Partners

Northwest Industrial Resource Center
Our IRC (Industrial Resource Center) partners help small to mid-sized companies increase productivity, profitability and competitiveness in the regional and global marketplace. They provide Pennsylvania manufacturers with services that ensure long term success by providing regional manufacturers with objective counsel, strategic perspective, high value services and solutions through access to regional, state and national resources. Depending on your application and industry, a portion of your grant may be subsidized by the IRC partner.

Process

1. Submit Grant Application and copy of selected vendor's project proposal and quote

Send electronic copy to: amy.bridger@ebizitpa.org

OR

Mail hardcopy to:
eBizITPA IT Kickstart Program
Knowledge Park
5340 Fryling Road, Suite 201
Erie, PA 16510

2. Review Process

Company will receive an e-mail in a timely fashion to avoid delaying the decision making process

• If Approved, eBizITPA will contact business to indicate the next steps in the process
• If Rejected, eBizITPA will contact business and explain the reason for rejection.

We try to work with companies to qualify them rather than just reject their application.

3. Approval Agreement

• Once approved, the company will execute the contract with eBizITPA which specifies the terms of the grant
• Allows the vendor to begin work on the project

4. Grant Disbursement

Upon completion of approved project, company must submit:

• Copies of IT provider invoices and proof of payment
• Benefits Summary which quantifies project success

Please include a completed copy of a W9 form with your application. A blank W9 is available for download from www.ebizitpa.org/Programs/files/W9_Form_10_2007.pdf