IT Kickstart

This program is temporarily closed. Please bookmark this page for updates in August. We will also announce the re-opening of the program in our monthly e-newsletter.

IT Kickstart is a reimbursement grant program that encourages small and medium-sized companies in Pennsylvania to implement IT projects.

With the assistance of various resource partners, past projects include designing and implementing informational Web sites, e-commerce applications, simple server upgrades, customized database creation, and more. Upon submitting a grant application and vendor quote for the IT project, Ron May, eBizITPA’s Director of IT Programs, will assist with the next steps of the process.

Is My Business Eligible?

Businesses involved in the IT Kickstart program vary widely. Businesses are chosen to receive a grant based on their ability to identify significant benefits to be achieved through the project. Benefits include the number of jobs created or retained, as well as the measurable increase in competitiveness, efficiency and productivity that the investment in information technology can bring.

Application Information

Applications are now being accepted. Given the limited funding and the popularity of the program, we encourage interested companies to submit applications now.

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.

Questions?

Please feel free to contact Ron May at ron.may@ebizitpa.org or 814.898.6532.

Pay It Forward Committment

The Pay It Forward (PIF) commitment is a pilot addition to the IT Kickstart program designed to encourage Pennsylvania companies to give back to their communities and make an impact by sharing their experience with others. Those businesses awarded an IT KickStart grant are required to meet the PIF requirement by sharing their professional experience and expertise with members of the community through some form of volunteer activity.

Only companies in the following counties will be required to meet the PIF requirement for an IT KickStart grant:  Erie, Crawford, Warren, McKean, Potter, Mercer, Venango, Forest, Elk, Cameron, Clarion, Jefferson and Clearfield.

Examples of activities that meet the PIF requirement are:

1. Contribute time to mentoring a student(s) during the project
2. Make a presentation to a class or forum about your company’s project experience
3. Provide project feedback to an IT Service Provider focus group from the company/client perspective

Grant recipients may also choose to design their own PIF activity which must be approved by the Director of IT Programs as part of the grant application.

If you are applying for this pilot program, please fill out the PIF commitment and submit to Ron May with your grant application.