Creative Export Canada Launches New Export Development Stream: Up to $90K Grant

The Creative Export Canada (CEC) Program was recently awarded an additional $11 million per year to support Canadian small business exporting projects to increase export profitability for Canada’s Creative Industries.

With up to $90,000 per application, the Creative Export Canada (CEC) – Export Development Stream (EDS) supports the new and early-stage export projects of small businesses through grant funding to build capacity and expand into international markets.

Additionally, the CEC-EDS program offers funding support for seasoned exporters to expand into new international markets and build business networks.

Funding Snapshot: Creative Export Canada (CEC) Export Development Stream

Funding Amount

Eligible Canadian businesses can access up to 75% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $90,000 per fiscal year.

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants must:

• Be incorporated under the laws of Canada, a province, or a territory;
• Be a for-profit company or not-for-profit organization;
• Be Canadian owned and controlled;
• Have a maximum of $10 million in annual revenues in the current or previous fiscal year; and
• Have a minimum of 1 full-time employee.

Please note: An applicant can submit only 1 application per deadline, including entities or subsidiaries of a parent company.

Project Eligibility

Eligible projects must:

• Be market-ready at the project start date (content is fully developed and ready for sales);
• Allow creative industries to expand their sales into international markets and/or develop international business networks;
• Expect to generate export revenues;
• Support one or more of the following creative industries:
  • Artistic craft;
  • Audiovisual;
  • Design (limited to exhibit design, fashion design, artistic product design, public art design, urban design);
  • Music;
  • Performing arts;
  • Publishing (books and periodicals);
  • Visual art; and
  • Interactive digital media (in combination with at least one of the industries listed above).
• Focus on a specific target export market(s) (the targeted markets can be new or existing);
• Have a minimum total cost of $15,000; and
• Be funded at a minimum of 25% by private sources.

Eligible Cost Categories include:

• Export planning activities (up to $30K max.), including the development of an export plan, international marketing plan, export pricing strategy, and market research on target export markets;
• Export training and mentorship activities, including export training, networking activities, matchmaking services, and mentoring;
• International market readiness activities, including versioning expenses, dubbing expenses, and translation and interpretation expenses; and
• Market development activities (up to $40K max.), including travel-related expenses, marketing material, advertising costs, and venue rentals.

Program Timeline

The application deadline is July 26, 2023. Approved projects must start between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.

Small Business Grants for Canadian Companies

Small business grants support Canadian businesses in times of growth and innovation, and in times of resiliency by providing funding support during economic challenges such as the global pandemic. Keeping up to date with these grants is important in understanding how they can contribute to your business’ past, present, and future projects.

Discover The Top 10 Small Business Grants Open to Canadians and learn how your business could offset the cost of various projects to support your organization’s growth and innovation.

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