Alberta Export Expansion Program

Grant Summary

• The Alberta Export Expansion Program provides up to $15,000 to support Alberta businesses seeking new international markets.
• Funding covers 50% of eligible costs, with allowances for per diems and multiple trade events in a single application.
• Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with a turnaround of 25 business days.

About the Grant

The Alberta Export Expansion Program is a provincial initiative to help Alberta-based businesses expand their reach into foreign markets. This grant subsidizes export-related expenses, covering up to 50% of eligible costs, from $1,000 to a maximum of $15,000 annually. The program is focused on helping companies gain footholds in new markets through funding for eligible activities such as trade missions and market entry strategies. Funding is available for various applicant organizations, from SMEs to industry associations and Indigenous communities, with a streamlined turnaround time of 25 business days for application processing.

This program is available to various entities, including for-profit SMEs, industry associations, and non-profits. It helps reduce financial barriers to international expansion, making it easier for Alberta businesses to promote their products and services abroad. This grant offers eligible organisations financial support for two Alberta-based travellers, covering per diem costs of $400 for the first traveller and $200 for the second for all eligible days abroad.

Who Is It For?

The Alberta Export Expansion Program is tailored to support Alberta-based companies actively seeking to enter new international markets. Eligible applicants must be legally incorporated entities, primarily operate in Alberta and maintain an Alberta-based permanent establishment. To ensure businesses are prepared for the complexities of entering foreign markets, applicants must provide a robust market entry plan, demonstrating their readiness and strategies for international growth.

To meet eligibility requirements, businesses must have an annual revenue of at least $250,000, with a cap of $25,000,000 in Alberta. Additionally, applicants should employ between 1 and 499 full-time staff in Alberta. The program offers more flexibility for emerging technology companies with a reduced minimum annual revenue requirement of $50,000. In some cases, startups with emerging technologies may be eligible, even if they don’t meet revenue thresholds, and are individually assessed. It is important to note that applications must be received within two months after the first day of formal event participation.

Eligible Participants

Eligible participants for this grant include a variety of organization types, such as:

• For-profit SMEs with Alberta operations
• Non-profit organizations
• Municipalities and industry associations
• Tertiary education institutions and technical institutes
• Indigenous communities
• Economic development organizations based in Alberta

For-profit organizations must be incorporated, have Alberta-based operations, and provide an established market entry plan to demonstrate a clear pathway for foreign market expansion.

Additionally, the program includes specific requirements for traveller support. Up to two Alberta-based employees from the applicant organization can receive a per diem while abroad, with the primary traveller eligible for $400 CAD per day and the secondary traveller eligible for $200 CAD per day.

Calculate Your Eligibility

The Alberta Export Expansion Program aims to give Alberta-based businesses a competitive advantage in expanding into new markets. Interested applicants can determine their eligibility by utilizing the grant calculator to evaluate their fit based on annual revenue, employee count, and market entry planning criteria. Ready to expand internationally? Access the grant calculator to confirm your eligibility and take your first step toward accessing new markets.