[Webinar] January 15: Government Funding to Support Export Expansion

[Webinar] January 15: Government Funding to Support Export Expansion

The federal and provincial government offer a wide variety of support to Canadian businesses who wish to grow or start exporting to new markets. By attending the free Funding to Support Export Expansion webinar, you will learn about various government export funding programs that help businesses grow in export markets by providing business grants of…

Canada’s State of Trade 2019: Part 2 – Trade Diversification for Businesses

Canada’s State of Trade 2019: Part 2 – Trade Diversification for Businesses

Global Affairs Canada recently released its report Canada’s State of Trade 2019. Authored by the Office of the Chief Economist (OCE), the report overviews the major developments in Canada’s imports and exports in 2018. In Part 1 of my blog on this report, I described the report’s most relevant points about domestic and foreign economies…

Canada’s State of Trade 2019: Part 1 – Key Points for Canadian Exporters

Canada’s State of Trade 2019: Part 1 – Key Points for Canadian Exporters

Global Affairs Canada has released Canada’s State of Trade, an evaluation of the country’s economic performance. The report highlights and assesses key developments in Canada’s international trade and examines domestic and foreign economic trends. According to the report, the global economy has seen weaker growth than in previous years; however, Canada’s exports and imports both…

International R&D Success: Developing & Commercializing Innovation

International R&D Success: Developing & Commercializing Innovation

Many businesses that Mentor Works deals with have heard of the two most popular research and development (R&D) funding programs: NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) and the SR&ED tax credit program. Both are valuable programs that support innovation and commercialization efforts. However, most of our clients are unaware of the wider range of programs…

Exhibiting at International Trade Shows: A Powerful Tool to Grow Your Business

Exhibiting at International Trade Shows: A Powerful Tool to Grow Your Business

Despite the transition to digital means of marketing and communication, exhibiting at trade shows remains a powerful tool and one of the most rewarding forms of marketing when approached with the right strategy. Today, according to statistics compiled by spingo.com, 99% of exhibitors believe that trade show marketing provides unique value that is not provided…

Program Update: CanExport Innovation Funding for Research Partnerships

Program Update: CanExport Innovation Funding for Research Partnerships

UPDATE: This program was previously called Going Global Innovation (GGI). The content has been updated to reflect the new name, CanExport Innovation (CXI). Canadian companies are internationally recognized as some of the most creative, innovative firms in the world. But despite this reputation, Canada is falling behind in terms of its opportunities to spur innovation….

CanExport Funding Increases to 75%/$75,000 and Supports AgriBusiness

CanExport Funding Increases to 75%/$75,000 and Supports AgriBusiness

On August 22, 2019, the CanExport funding program undertook two significant updates that impacted how the program operated and the value it provided to Canadian exporters. The first and most notable update was to the program’s contribution amount, while the second focused on company eligibility. Previously, agriculture and agri-food companies were unable to apply; these…

Access Small Business Grants: Talk Productivity, Innovation, Exports

Access Small Business Grants: Talk Productivity, Innovation, Exports

There are hundreds of Canadian small business grants and loans that companies can apply to. There are some key strategies to keep in mind to optimize your chances of success though; for one, always consider the program’s eligibility criteria. It’s not worth applying to small business grants and loans that are not a fit for…

Business Grants Alberta: Top Funding Programs for Growth Projects

Business Grants Alberta: Top Funding Programs for Growth Projects

Alberta business grants and loans are an ideal way to support your organization’s upcoming strategic projects. Funded through the provincial and federal governments, there are a wide range of incentives that companies can use to offset costs and improve growth potential. It’s beneficial for businesses to create a plan of what to apply to and…

Export Development Canada Launches $50M Women in Trade Investments Program

Export Development Canada Launches $50M Women in Trade Investments Program

A major component showcased in the 2018 Federal Budget announcement, the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) is devoting nearly $2 billion to helping women grow their businesses through expertise, access to financing, and talent. This strategy is assisting the Canadian government in achieving its goal of doubling the number of majority women-owned businesses by 2025, as…