SUISSE News Winter 2026
Business
February 2026
Did you know that the Canadian Government offers a grant to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs expand into new international markets)? In today’s evolving trade environment, this program is a strategy many SMEs are considering to support their global growth plans.
What is it?
The CanExport Grant Program provides up to $50,000 to eligible SMEs to explore new international markets where they currently have little to no sales. The program is based on cost sharing, with the Government covering 50% of eligible expenses and the SME covering the remaining 50%.
Eligibility
- To qualify, your business must:
- Be established in Canada
- Be for-profit
- Be an incorporated legal entity, limited liability partnership (LLP), or cooperative
- Have an active Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number
- Employ between 1 and 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
- Have declared revenues between $100,000 and $100 million in Canada during its last fiscal year (or last 12 months for quarterly filers)
- Have sales of less than $100,000 in the target export market
Eligible Expenses
- Funding may be used for:
- Travel to foreign markets
- In-person participation in trade missions, trade shows, meetings, or conferences
- Market intelligence gathering (custom research, reports, and studies)
- Intellectual property protection in international markets
- Contract adaptation and supplier diversity certifications
- Expert legal and business advisory services
- Translation, adaptation, or creation of market-specific marketing materials
If you would like support with the application writing and submission process, feel free to contact the SCCC at sccc@swissbiz.ca to be connected with an independent specialist.
