Take your innovation global with the Trade Commissioner Service

You've developed innovative technology. Now, what’s next?  

Depending on where your business is in its growth journey, you may be looking to validate your technology, find international research and development (R&D) partners, explore new markets, connect with investors or secure funding to support commercialization.

There’s no single path to international growth, and there isn’t one kind of support for  every innovator’s needs. That’s why we offer a range of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) programs and services to help Canadian innovators pursue opportunities around the world.  

Whether you're just beginning to explore global opportunities or preparing to scale into new markets, we have the support you need to help you move forward.

In this article, you'll learn how our programs and services help you:

• expand into key global tech hubs
• identify international research and development partners
• access funding to support international innovation

Entering a new market can mean navigating an unfamiliar business environment, understanding customers and competitors, and building relationships with the people who can help move your business forward. 

Through our Canadian Technology Accelerators (CTA) program, we help high-potential Canadian companies explore opportunities in global technology hubs through market insights, expert mentorship and connections with potential customers, strategic partners and investors.

If you’re looking to validate a market, expand your international network, or build a stronger foundation for growth abroad, a CTA could be a valuable next step. 

Innovation often happens through collaboration.

The Innovation Partnership Program (IPP) helps Canadian companies connect with international organizations for collaborative R&D and technology development opportunities. Through targeted partnering activities and introductions, the program helps businesses identify potential collaborators that can support innovation, commercialization, and future growth.

If developing new technologies with international partners is part of your strategy, IPP can help you build the right connections.

Finding a promising international partner is an important step. Developing that relationship into an R&D collaboration takes time and resources.

Travel, meetings, and other partnership-development activities can add to the cost of pursuing opportunities abroad.

CanExport Innovation (CXI) helps eligible Canadian businesses offset some of these costs by providing funding for activities that support international research and development partnerships and commercialization opportunities.

For companies ready to take the next step internationally, funding can help reduce barriers and make new opportunities more accessible. 

Innovation programs are only one part of the support we offer. With a presence in more than 160 cities worldwide, we can help you take your innovation further.

We can help your business:

• better understand international markets
• identify potential customers, partners and collaborators
• navigate local business environments
• access global research and innovation networks
• understand research security considerations and intellectual property best practices
• connect with resources that support international growth

Whether you're looking for funding, international R&D partnerships, market entry support or investor connections, we can help you explore opportunities and grow abroad, 

Explore our Science, Technology and Innovation programs and services to find what’s right for your business.