Regulations, tariff barriers, cultural differences… Exporting requires effort and resources for businesses, but it is also a vector for growth. More than 90% of the Technoparc Montréal companies export outside Quebec.
In order to support businesses in their export projects, the different levels of government have set up programs, and updated them in the context of the pandemic and economic recovery. Whether at the municipal, provincial or federal level, several options are available to companies, large or small, wishing to continue to develop through exports.
“The potential for growth through export is considerable and selling abroad could bring you a lot (in terms of prices, volumes, etc.) but support is essential. Export support ensures that you avoid what we call “minefields” and allows you to gain efficiency at all levels“.
A new provincial program with a local component
This brand new provincial marketing and export support program (programme provincial de soutien à la commercialisation et à l’exportation – PSCE), which replaces the Programme Exportation – volet Entreprise (PEX), includes a first phase of support for SMEs willing to commercialize their products and services on the Quebec market, as a first step towards export.
“This new component will allow Quebec companies to consolidate their position at the local level by integrating their supply chains and then exploring and developing new markets“.
The second phase of the program is in fact a logical extension of phase 1 since it aims to strengthen the export capacity of SMEs by helping them accelerate their projects on markets outside Quebec. However, the program is also accessible to large companies with phase 3: they can be financed for their structuring projects on international markets and thereby accelerate their internationalization.
The PSCE takes the form of a non-repayable contribution. This assistance can reach 50% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $250,000 for a project lasting a maximum of one year, for one phase.
Learn more about the program and the eligibility criteria (in French)
At the federal level, several programs are available
At the federal level as well, adjustments have been made to the CanExport SMEs program. The program now funds up to 50% of eligible costs for $10,000 to $50,000 in funding per project. The program is closed until April 1, 2022, but businesses can start submitting their applications as early as January 10.
For innovative companies, it is possible to obtain $75,000 in funding to assist with research and development (R&D) for a single technology through the CANExport Innovation program. The Government of Canada covers up to 75% of the costs to pursue and sign collaborative R&D agreements with international partners and investors.
Ville de Montréal supports its priority industries
Life sciences and health technologies, the digital industry and clean technologies are among the Ville de Montréal’s priority industries and are therefore eligible for the PME MTL’s Fonds Commercialisation des Innovations.
This fund is not specific to exports, but offers SMEs support to accelerate sales, reach out to new clients and, of course, explore new markets.
Learn more about the Fonds Commercialisation des Innovations
If you are interested in learning more about these different programs and what’s new in the PSCE, join us at the Techno-Export webinar on January 18 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with PME MTL and Excellence Industrielle Saint-Laurent.