Funding that helps your company grow into global markets
Important Message about CanExport SMEs
CanExport SMEs initiated an administrative pause on June 12, 2021, and is no longer receiving new applications at this time. Please check back in the fall of 2021 for details on when the program will resume.
Small and medium sized companies may access up to $75,000 in funding to assist with international market development activities. We cover up to 75% of costs for export marketing of your products and services in international markets where you have little or no sales.
What activities do we fund?
In light of COVID-19, CanExport SMEs activities requiring travel are currently on hold. We encourage you to make informed decisions to minimize risk and protect your health and that of your employees. Please refer to the Government of Canada’s travel advisories for the most recent information.
We support the following non-travel activities:
Gathering market intelligence (custom research, reports and studies)
Applying for intellectual property protection in international markets
Applying for certification in international markets
Seeking expert legal and business advice
Search Engine Optimization
Translating, adapting or creating marketing materials
Attending virtual trade shows, networking functions, meetings or conferences
When travel resumes, we also support:
Visits to foreign markets
In-person participation at trade shows, networking functions, meetings or conferences
Participating in a trade mission
Who can apply?
Eligible Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises must:
be for-profit
be an incorporated legal entity, limited liability partnership (LLP) or cooperative
have a Canada Revenue Agency business number
employ fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees
have $100,000 to $100 million in declared revenue in Canada during its past fiscal year (or 12 months for quarterly filers)
What's new
- If we approve your project, the start date of the funding agreement (the date that your expenses are eligible) will be the date that you submitted your project unless:
- 1) you applied after December 15 of the current fiscal year; or
- 2) the program runs out of funds for the current government fiscal year. In those two instances, the start date will be April 1 of the following government fiscal year.
- Export brokers in the agriculture and agri-food sector may be eligible to the program, provided they meet Canadian content requirements.
- The program now supports costs tied to online advertising on social media platforms, online marketplaces and search engines.
- Expert advice for digital and e-commerce marketing (Category F) is now eligible.
