Export and New Market Development Support
The Government of Canada offers a range of export-focused funding programs to support small businesses who are poised for international growth. Recently, the federal government announced more support for export market development activities, including renewed support for the trade commissioner services.
Trade Commissioner Service – Export Market Development Services
Prime Minister Harper recently announced expansion to the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) to increase support to businesses. With this expansion, the TCS will receive new staffing and programming resources to support businesses.
There are more than 160 TCS offices worldwide to provide education, resources, tools, and support to businesses who are about to engage or already engaging in export activities. In addition to Canadian government funding programs, small businesses can utilize government services, such as the TCS, to support export market activities.
Through the TCS small businesses can:
- Access contacts, business leaders, and decision-makers in new markets;
- Obtain market intel;
- Gain crucial knowledge about the sector and country; and
- Resolve business problems.
CDMN Soft Landing – Market Development Support
The Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN) offers businesses funding of up to $4,000 to support mature start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access new markets and pursue business opportunities around the world.
Through their outbound market development Soft Landing program the CDMN provides up to $4,000 to cover the costs of transportation and accommodation to help digital media SMEs expand into new markets. In addition to direct funding support, the Soft Landing program helps businesses get connected with local accelerators or incubators to provide office space if needed.
Recently, the CDMN have announced the latest funding recipients. Each business will receive up to $4,000 to help offset the costs related to export market development. In the most recent round of funding supported businesses will be able to access new markets including:
- New York City;
- London, U.K.;
- San Francisco;
- Seattle;
- Hong Kong, China;
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and
Export-Oriented Canadian Government Funding Programs
In addition to the CDMN Soft Landing program and support services offered by the Trade Commissioner Service, there are several Canadian government funding programs available to support Canadian small businesses’ in export market development. These programs offer small business funding to help cover market development costs including:
Although not all of these programs are export specific, they can be used to help businesses bring new products to market, train staff on new processes/equipment, or implement new equipment to support market developments.
Learn More about Canadian Government Funding
If you are interested in learning more about Canadian government grants and funding available for your small business, take a look at our events page and register for a free webinar. You can also stay up-to-date with weekly funding updates by registering for our weekly e-newsletter. You can also follow me on Twitter or connect on LinkedIn to keep updated. updated.