Exporting your goods or services outside Canada can be a major growth opportunity — but entering new markets can come with significant costs. To help offset those early-stage expenses, the federal government offers the CanExport SMEs program, providing funding for eligible Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to expand internationally.  The Langley Chamber encourages our members to explore the CanExport program to see if it might support their growth plans.

What the Program Offers
Through CanExport, eligible businesses can access between $10,000 and $50,000 in funding to cover up to 50% of eligible costs for export development activities. This includes support for marketing, business development, research, and other key steps involved in exploring a new international market.

Who is Eligible
To be eligible for CanExport funding, your business must:

• Be a for-profit, privately held Canadian company
• Be incorporated and have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number
• Have fewer than 500 full-time employees
• Have annual revenues between $100,000 and $100 million (in any of the last three years)

Applicants must also be selling products, services, or technologies that are fully developed and ready to be sold in international markets. The program is not intended to fund product development or R&D.

What Activities Are Funded
The CanExport grant covers a broad range of costs related to entering a new foreign market. Supported activities can include:

• Travel to target markets (airfare, accommodation, per diem)
• Translation/adaptation of marketing materials for the local market
• Legal and IP advice related to market entry
• Consulting fees for market research or business development
• Trade show participation (booth costs, registration fees, freight, etc.)
• Digital marketing and SEO tailored to the target country
• Third-party market research
• Developing e-commerce strategies specific to the market

To qualify, the market must be one where the business has had limited or no sales in the past — the goal is to help companies build a presence in new international markets, not support existing export activity.

The funding may be used for activities that take place between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.

Applications and Timelines
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but funding is limited and programs are competitive. Businesses must in advance of their intended activity as the program does not fund activities retroactively. 

More Information
You can find full eligibility details and the application guide on the CanExport website >