CanExport SMEs

Receive up to $50,000 in Exporting Grants.

The CanExport SMEs funding program provides Canadian government grants to support Canadian businesses seeking to develop new export opportunities and markets, particularly high-growth priority markets and sectors, by covering a portion of eligible sales and marketing activities.

Mentor Works Government Funding Application Success Rate

Apply for Funding

Give your application the best chance at approval. Mentor Works has an 86% approval rating across all Canadian funding programs.

Apply for This Program

CanExport SMEs

Amount of Funding

Successful applicants may receive the following:

  • Up to 50% funding to a maximum $50,000 grant per project;
  • Applicants may receive up to 50% of eligible costs for up to $10,000 to $50,000 in grant funding per project;
  • The applicant is responsible for the remaining 50% of costs;
  • The annual CanExport contribution maximum is $99,999 (in the event of multiple projects approved in the same government fiscal year);
  • A group of related companies cannot receive >$200,000 in funding in a single fiscal year. Projects budgets should be between $20,000-100,000; and
  • Applicants can apply for funding multiple times as long as their prior CanExport application has been completed all reporting is finished.
Amount of Funding from the Canadian Government

CanExport SMEs

Eligible Applicants

To be  eligible for the CanExport program, Canadian businesses must:

  • Maintain 1 to <500 full-time employees;
  • Earn annual revenues ranging from $100,000 to $100,000,000;
  • Be federally incorporated federally or classified as a limited liability partnership (LLP);
  • Create eligible project expenses of $20,000 or more; and
  • Be financially stable and able to pay all project expenses not covered by the program.
Eligible Applicants for Canadian Government Funding

CanExport SMEs

Eligible Activities

To access CanExport funding for upcoming international expansion initiatives, ensure the project revolves around:

  • Attending Virtual Trade Shows: Event fees and other associated networking functions;
  • Adaptation of Marketing Tools and SEO: Third-party design, translation, and printing of marketing collateral;
  • Applying for IP/Product Certifications: Intellectual property, certification, and adaptation of contracts;
  • Gathering Market Research: Third-party market research and custom studies or reports; and
  • Expert Advice: Third-party advice on digital and e-commerce marketing, intellectual property, trademarks, patents, certifications, consulting services, and sales agents.

Projects Ineligible for CanExport SMEs Export Marketing Grants

Alternately, some of the project activities not eligible to receive CanExport small business grants include:

  • Activities in a foreign country where more than 10% or $100,000 of total sales has been generated in the last 24 months;
  • Ongoing or operational activities not associated with market expansion;
  • Language training and other educational services; and
  • Promoting Canadian investment or seeking economic immigrants.
Eligible Expenses for Canadian Government Funding

CanExport SMEs

Program Deadline

CanExport SMEs resumed its intake on February 29 2024, to May 31, 2024, until 5:00pm EDT for projects beginning on or after April 1, 2024. Please contact a member of our team to learn more about the program and the application process.

Program Deadline for Canadian Government Funding
Apply for Government Grants with Mentor Works for Time Savings

Apply for Funding

We provide an average 95% time savings to our clients, compared to businesses that apply for funding in-house.

Start Application