Economic Development

Alberta's Export Expansion Program provides funding to help export-ready companies and non-profit organizations enhance access to international markets and attract global buyers.

For-profit or municipal applicants may be reimbursed up to 50%, and non-profit applicants up to 75%, on eligible costs such as:

• accommodation
• airfare
• inter-city ground travel
• registration for tradeshows or events
• translation or interpretive services for marketing materials
• conference room space

Each applicant can apply to the program multiple times, but will only be eligible for up to a combined maximum of $25,000 in the approved grant agreement(s) per program year (April 1 to March 31).

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The Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) is an innovative program designed to help small- and medium-sized enterprises gain knowledge and a network of contacts to unleash their export potential. Through a series of in-depth workshop sessions with trade and industry experts, Canadian business leaders learn to overcome export barriers and reach new markets faster.

TAP can help your company make the most of its export capabilities. Through the program, you will:

1. Define a growth strategy
2. Identify and analyze your target market
3. Complete an export plan
4. Iidentify the resources available for international expansion

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CanExport

SMEs

Small and medium-sized companies may access up to $75,000 in funding to assist with international market development activities. Up to 75% of costs for export marketing of your products and services in international markets where you have little or no sales are covered.

Supported non-travel activities:

Export Guarantee Program

Export Development Canada's (EDC) Export Guarantee Program can help you access additional financing through your financial institution. EDC shares the risk with your financial institution by providing a guarantee on the money you borrow, encouraging them to increase your access to working capital.

How it works

The value of the guarantee can vary depending on the type and size of the loan:

• EDC’s total exposure under one or multiple guarantees in support of your business can’t exceed US$10 million.
• Fees are determined based on your credit rating, duration of coverage and the amount of financing needed.

If your business needs access to working capital to cover payroll or operational costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for the EDC BCAP Guarantee.

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Export Readiness - Micro Vouchers

Through this program, Alberta Innovates supports Alberta SMEs, with a minimum of $20,000 in revenue, to build and develop a strategic approach to expanding their international plans and building global export opportunities. Prior to entering new global markets, it’s important to understand the necessary steps to grow export markets while evaluating benefits and assessing risks are keys to success.

Alberta SMEs need to ask some basic questions. For example:

• What country do I want to export to?
• What is my competitive advantage in that country?
• How do I set up my distribution channels?
• What is my pricing model?
• How do I avoid risks?
• What are the trade, tariffs and even regulatory requirements?
• What is the cost of entering the global market?

Support to hire a service provider

The focus of the program is to fund an Alberta SME (applicant – you) to hire a qualified service provider that will help you build a strategic approach to entering global markets. You may be eligible for up to $20,000, which is paid directly to one service provider named in the application.

If successful, you must work directly with the service provider you’ve identified in your application to define the scope of work to expand export activities. This can include:

• A market entry strategy or export plan
• An international marketing plan
• Export pricing strategy
• Research on export markets for the product
• Distribution and logistic
• Help to find a broker or distributor, including international distribution channels
• Business services and advice
  • Accountancy (taxes, receivables etc.)
  • Legal (contract support, patent protection)
• Tariff, certification requirements, regulations and insurance advice
• E-business or online strategy (may include online international plan, sales or online security advice)
• Translation support (translate user manuals, product guides, labelling etc.)

You can apply for funding for the development of export-related activities in multiple countries; however, all applicants are limited to two investment awards. All applicants must contribute 25% of eligible project costs and their companies have a minimum of $20,000 in revenue.

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Other Helpful Links

Key Word Search

(Two hours) Providing adequate keyword tips in order to rank higher on Google.

Social Media Audit (Branding Strategy)

(Two hours) Teaching and guiding to ensure logos, banners, bios, posting cadences, and handles are consistent with your brand guidelines.

Content Creation Strategy Session

(Two hours) Teaching strategy to increase social media engagement.

Set It Up

(Two hours) Assisting in setting up one of the social media accounts of your choice.

Customer Avatar Creation

(One hour) Identifying and defining three Digital Customer Avatars to better help target your ideal customers online.

Creating a Facebook Ad From Your Page

(Two hours) Guiding you through the basics of creating a Facebook Ad from your business page from start to finish.

Social Writing Audit

(Two hours) Auditing and editing the copy of the about sections and descriptions on your various social media channels to ensure copy is clear and compelling.

Website and Search Engine Optimization

Existing Website Audit

(Two hours) Auditing your website's site speed and domain authority and learning actionable steps to improve them.

On Page SEO

(Two hours) Analyzing your overall SEO rank, and providing recommendations for improved performance.

User Experience Audit

(Three hours) Assessing your website, the structure and overall user experience.

Competitor Audit

(Four hours) Researching up to two competitor websites and assessing how your website compares.