British Columbia businesses can apply for several types of government funding programs aimed at fueling competitiveness. This includes funding to offset the costs of business and market expansion, capital and technology adoption, research and development, and workforce development projects. While some of these government funding programs are provided federally, those funding programs created and administered…
Social media marketing is one of the easiest and least financially-demanding strategies your company can use to support sales internationally. Developing a reputable, engaging brand on social sites will funnel traffic to your website and promote sustainable growth in foreign markets. If you have physical operations within the country, it can also help to bring…
Assistive devices are increasingly helping people with disabilities join the workforce and add value to employers. Although there are a range of assistive devices currently being used across Canada for a variety of disabilities, there are few technologies that encourage digital economy participation. As a result, few disabled persons can contribute in a knowledge-driven capacity….
London, Ontario is home to several technology-oriented incubators. Innovation hubs such as Western University’s Propel and Fanshawe’s Leap Junction are a great place for startup companies to establish themselves and develop a minimum viable product (MVP), but once a firm reaches a certain size there’s limited structural support. So, what comes next? Where can early-stage…
The IESO Conservation Fund is an Ontario government funding program that helps businesses better manage and reduce electricity consumption through innovative projects. This includes, but is not limited to, the development and piloting of energy conservation programs, tools, training, and technologies. Interested parties can apply for funding during one of the program’s scheduled intake periods;…
Leadership in business requires a trio of qualities: character, competence, and commitment. This is why excellent employees do not always transition to become good managers; while they may be competent and perform job duties to a high standard, their character qualities prevent them from excelling when managing or working with others. Businesses traditionally focus on…
Canada’s dairy industry has been a focal point of numerous recent trade agreements including the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). Negotiations for each required the federal government to open the domestic market to international dairy processors, a move which is putting financial pressure on many Canadian dairy processors. Fortunately,…
Alberta Innovates’ Product Demonstration Program (PDP) funds cooperative prototype demonstration activities between two or more businesses. It helps innovators overcome the commercialization gap by working directly with an interested buyer or distributor of the technology to showcase, test, and verify its performance in an operational setting. The Product Demonstration Program awards Alberta businesses with up…
Southern Ontario is home to many of Canada’s most innovative and globally-oriented businesses. But while significant growth potential exists within the region, it’s often difficult for companies to make large-scale investments in productivity-boosting technologies. Despite the long-term benefits of adopting or adapting technology, upfront project costs can impact cash flow and make these types of…
NOTICE: As of August 22 2019, the CanExport program now offers up to 75% of project expenses to a maximum of $75,000 per application and is open to agricultural producers and processors. Please refer to the CanExport program page for the most recent updates. It’s been quite an eventful year for the popular CanExport funding program. Earlier in…