Expanding into export markets can bring new opportunities and growth, but it also comes with extra costs and challenges. For businesses in Atlantic Canada, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) offers programs to help you get started and succeed in international markets. If your company is based in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or Prince Edward Island and is ready to explore sales beyond Canada, ACOA’s International Trade and Investment support can help you develop, fund, and carry out your export strategy.
ACOA’s International Trade and Investment support is designed to help Atlantic Canadian businesses grow in global markets. The program offers advisory services, connections, and sometimes funding to help you prepare for and succeed in exporting.
ACOA export support is available to businesses that:
Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis and depends on your export goals and your business’s readiness.
ACOA focuses on practical export-related activities that help your business get ready for international sales. Supported activities may include:
Support may include advisory services, referrals to other government partners, and sometimes non-repayable funding for eligible export development activities.
GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you quickly filter export funding programs by province and industry, including ACOA options.
ACOA does not list a fixed funding amount for International Trade and Investment support. Funding levels depend on:
Some projects may receive non-repayable contributions, while others may focus on advisory and connection-based support.
Getting ACOA support is more about building a relationship than just filling out a form.
Typical process:
Define your export goal
Be clear about which markets you want to enter and what kind of support you need.
Contact ACOA directly
An ACOA business development officer will talk with you about your export plans and check if there’s a good fit.
Develop a project outline
You may need to describe your planned activities, timelines, and expected results.
Funding assessment (if applicable)
If funding is part of your support, ACOA will review eligible costs and conditions before approving your project.
This approach helps make sure the support matches your real business needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all application.
To make the most of ACOA’s export support, keep these tips in mind:
Be specific about your target markets
Avoid broad terms like “global expansion.” Name the countries or regions you plan to target.
Start early
ACOA support is most helpful during planning and early market entry, not after you’ve already started exporting.
Clarify eligible costs
Not all export-related expenses are covered. Check with ACOA to confirm which costs are eligible before you commit.
Coordinate with other programs
ACOA export support can sometimes be combined with federal programs like CanExport, but there are limits on stacking government funding.
Prepare key documents
Having a draft export plan, budget, and market research ready can speed up the process.
Q: Does ACOA provide grants for exporting?
Yes. Depending on your project, ACOA may offer non-repayable funding along with advisory services. Funding depends on your project’s scope and expected impact.
Q: Who is eligible for ACOA export support?
Businesses based in Atlantic Canada that want to export goods or services internationally may be eligible. Projects are reviewed individually.
Q: What expenses can ACOA support?
Eligible activities may include export planning, marketing strategy development, skills training, and market-entry activities. Always confirm eligible costs with ACOA before applying.
Q: How do I apply for ACOA International Trade and Investment support?
Start by contacting ACOA directly to discuss your export project. A business development officer will guide you through the next steps.
Q: Can ACOA export funding be combined with other grants?
In many cases, yes. ACOA can coordinate with other federal programs, but total government assistance limits apply.
GrantHub tracks over 2,500 active grant and export support programs across Canada. You can check which ones match your business profile and export goals.
If exporting is part of your growth plans, ACOA support can help lower your risks and improve your chances of success. Start by clarifying your target markets and export activities, then look into how ACOA and other programs can support your plans. Using a platform like GrantHub helps you compare ACOA options with other federal and provincial export programs, so you can make informed decisions.
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