Start Your CanExport SMEs Application for 2025

You know what they say, the early bird gets the worm. Getting an application started early can help businesses maximize their potential to receive funding support. The CanExport SMEs program is a great example of afunding opportunity for Canadian businesses that are exploring opportunities to export their services and/or products.

Due to its immense popularity, every year businesses miss out on CanExport SMEs funding when they do not align their application submission with the program’s tight deadlines. While there is alternative funding available, CanExport SMEs is a vital program to consider completing an application ahead of time.

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.

Benefits of CanExport SMEs Funding

Offering up to $50,000 in funding support, the CanExport SMEs program helps eligible businesses by covering up to 50% of the costs associated with market research, participation in trade shows, and other export-related activities.

Check out Canadian Exporting Trends to uncover what other Canadian businesses are focusing on for international trade strategy.

Funding Amount

Successful applicants may receive the following:

• Up to 50% funding to a maximum $50,000 grant per project;
• The annual CanExport contribution maximum is $99,999 (in the event of multiple projects approved in the same government fiscal year);
• Related companies cannot receive more than $200,000 in funding in a single fiscal year. Project budgets should be between $20,000-100,000; and
• Applicants can apply for funding multiple times as long as their reporting for the prior CanExport application is complete.

Eligibility for the CanExport SMEs Program

Eligible Applicants

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

• Maintain 1 to less than 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 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;
• Adapting 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
• Gaining 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.

How to Apply

Ideally, a business interested in applying for the upcoming CanExport SMEs deadline in spring of 2025 will be preparing their application in the fall of the previous year.

For support on funding program applications, Canadian businesses can optimize their approval potential by working with Ryan’s government funding consultants who have prior knowledge and experience on successful CanExport SMEs applications.

To find out if your business qualifies for active Canadian government funding programs, please contact our team. We focus on grant writing and business consulting while assisting our clients in navigating common growth challenges by connecting them with sources of grants, loans, and/or tax credits.