How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $50000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the CanExport SMEs?

CanExport SMEs is funded by Trade Commissioner Service (TCS), Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada (GAC)

What are CanExport SMEs's eligibility criterias?

The business must be for profit. The business must have an active CRA number. The business must have between 1 and 500 employees. The business must have reported annual revenues between $100,000 and $100 million in Canada.

CanExport SMEs

Last Update: June 16, 2025

Canada

Supports Canadian SMEs’ export activities in new international markets

CanExport SMEs at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $10,000 to $50,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : March 13, 2025
Closing date : May 31, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

All industries

Grant Providers

Trade Commissioner Service (TCS)
Government of Canada
Global Affairs Canada (GAC)

Status

Closed

Overview of the CanExport SMEs program

The CanExport SMEs program, offered by Canada's Trade Commissioner Service, provides financial aid of up to $50,000 to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to export Canadian goods and services to new international markets. Eligible activities include cost-sharing for international business development, aiming at diversifying exports and fostering global expansion for Canadian businesses.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding covering 50 % of the eligible costs of a project.
Minimum funding amount of 10 000 $ and maximum of 50 000 $ per project and per year.
The total eligible cost of the project must be between 20 000 $ and 100 000 $.
Total financial assistance from Canadian government sources cannot exceed 75 % of the project costs.
A business can receive a maximum of 99 999 $ from CanExport SMEs per financial year.

Eligible projects & activities

Participating in trade events abroad to meet with key contacts from target markets.
In-person participation as an exhibitor at international trade events.
Shipping and handling for items related to event participation.
Business meeting room rentals abroad.
Creating and adapting promotional materials for foreign markets.
Website adaption to specific target markets.
Video creation or adaptation for trade events or meetings in foreign markets.
Advertising participation in trade events in target markets.
Interpretation services for in-person international interactions.
Adapting and translating contractual agreements for target markets.
Supplier diversity certification fees for recognized bodies in foreign markets.
Legal, tax, and business consulting for target market entry.
Market research, feasibility studies, and identification of key business contacts in target markets.
Filing applications for intellectual property protection in international markets.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 49,000

Developing market entry strategies for Asian textile industry

$ 48,500

Establishing partnerships with Middle Eastern food distributors

$ 49,500

Adapting tech solutions for the Latin American healthcare sector

$ 50,000

Expanding clean energy product line in Scandinavian countries

$ 48,000

Launching digital marketing campaigns for Asian tech markets

$ 47,000

Developing distribution strategies for the Australian beverage market

Eligibility criteria of the CanExport SMEs program

The company must be established in Canada and be a for-profit entity.
The company must be an incorporated legal entity, limited liability partnership (LLP), or cooperative in Canada.
The business must have an active Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number.
The company must have between 1 and 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
The company must have between $100,000 and $100 million in annual revenue declared in Canada during its last complete tax reporting year or during the last 12 months for monthly and quarterly filers.
The company must legally own the goods and services intended for export.

Who is eligible?

Businesses established in Canada
For-profit entities
Incorporated legal entities, limited liability partnerships (LLP), or cooperatives in Canada
Enterprises with an active Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number
Businesses with between 1 and 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
Enterprises with annual revenue between $100,000 and $100 million declared in Canada during the last complete tax reporting year or the last 12 months for monthly and quarterly filers

Who is not eligible

Sole proprietorships
Limited partnerships (LP)
Third-party representatives, including agents, promoters, sales representatives, consultants
Trading houses and export brokers (unless for the agriculture and agri-food sector)
Distributors and wholesalers acting as intermediaries
Franchisees (only the franchisor is eligible)
Companies related to recreational cannabis, tobacco, vaping, or similar industries
Projects related to unabated fossil fuel energy sectors
Companies with insufficient economic ties to Canada
Applications from corporate entities that do not demonstrate meaningful economic ties to Canada
A company applying on behalf of another entity identified by a different CRA business number, such as a parent company applying for its subsidiary
Consultants applying on behalf of their clients

Eligible expenses

International travel expenses for meetings or events with key contacts, including airfare, ground transportation, per diems, and mandatory visa fees.
Expenses related to participation in international trade events, such as booth rental, on-site booth design and installation, utilities for booths, business card scanner rentals, and shipping and handling of event materials.
Creation or translation of marketing materials from English or French to a language used in the target market, including brochures, flyers, banners, and website adaptation.
Creation or adaptation of videos for trade events or meetings, including infographics, voiceover, animations, and translations.
Advertising costs specific to trade event participation targeted to the approved target market.
Interpreter fees for in-person interactions with key contacts.
Adaptation and translation of contractual agreements.
Supplier diversity certification fees recognized in the target market.
Consultant or legal firm fees for expert business, tax, or legal advice specific to the target market.
Consultant fees for market research, feasibility studies, identification of key contacts, and facilitation of B2B meetings.
Costs related to the protection of intellectual property in the target market, including filing patent applications and trademark registrations.

Eligible geographic areas

Small and medium-sized enterprises established in Canada.
Legal entities incorporated or with a limited liability partnership or cooperative status in Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the CanExport SMEs program

Represents new or expanded initiatives aligned with the company's international business development goals and goes beyond the company's core activities.
Clear explanation of how a new project builds on or differs from previous projects, especially for repeat market entries.
The objectives, activities, and expected outcomes of the project are realistic.
The proposed activities and expenses are specific and reasonable, with a preference for projects that include participation in established commercial events with fixed dates.
Demonstrated commercial potential of the product or service in the target market(s) through market research or other information.
Capacity in terms of human and financial resources to undertake the proposed activities.
Previous export history and past interactions with CanExport, the TCS, and partners of Global Affairs Canada.
Performance on previous CanExport projects and expectation to claim the majority of the funds awarded.
Failure to comply with any conditions of a previously funded project considered in the evaluation of a new application.
Alignment with the Government of Canada's Export Diversification Strategy, prioritizing applications focusing on export diversification.
Projects targeting markets covered by free trade agreements.
Applications from businesses owned or led by traditionally underrepresented groups in international trade, such as women, Indigenous Peoples, Black Canadians, LGBTQ2+, visible minorities, and young entrepreneurs.

How to apply to the CanExport SMEs program

Select Target Markets

Select a maximum of 5 international markets where your company wishes to make sales or secure new customers.
Provide reasons for choosing your target market(s).

Confirm Eligibility

Ensure each market meets the CanExport SMEs definition of a new and eligible target market.
Indicate your company's total revenue and revenues for each target market for the last complete fiscal year.

Set Objectives and Plan

Set realistic objectives for each target market.
Outline a detailed plan of action in your application.

Select Activities

Choose from 8 categories of activities to achieve your objectives.
Verify each proposed expense for eligibility.

Prepare Budget

Provide a detailed and specific budget.
Ensure the total budget is between $20,000 and $100,000.

Set Timeframe

Allow at least 60 business days between submission and the start of the first activity.
Select a project termination date that aligns with the project duration.

Submit Application

Access the online portal optimized for Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.
Regularly save your information during the application process.
Submit before the deadline and ensure all information is comprehensive and accurate.

Additional information

Approved projects must incur expenses and complete activities within the specified fiscal year for which funding was provided.
The CanExport SMEs program has a standard processing time of 60 business days for funding decisions.
Applicants must disclose any pre-existing relationships or affiliations with consultants as part of their application.
Program officials may request additional documents or evidence to verify activities and expenses.

Documents and links

CanExport SMEs

Contact Trade Commissioner Service (TCS)

canexportsmes@international.gc.ca

1 (343) 203-6820

Apply to this program

Financial support for technology innovations