Atlantic Canadian Companies Can Access $2.2-Million Fund to Increase Exports
FREDERICTON – Atlantic Canadian businesses that want to export more products and services can now access the $2.2-million LearnSphere Export Market Access Program, the LearnSphere CEO announced today.
New Brunswick companies have had access to this program since 2003, and it’s now been rolled out across the region.
“We are thrilled to be able to launch this funding across Atlantic Canada,” said Annette Comeau, LearnSphere’s CEO, in a release. “The region has so much to offer. We want to see Atlantic Canadian exports continue to thrive, and economic growth to be realized here.
Small- and medium-sized enterprises can receive a total of $30,000 to expand or launch export initiatives. The money can be used to help with research, planning, sales or digital marketing. To be eligible, SMEs need to be currently exporting or be export-ready within the next nine months.
RELATED: Ottawa, Provinces Create $20-Million Fund to Boost Exports
The new funding envelope was made possible by Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). Through the Atlantic Growth Strategy launched earlier this year, the federal government plans to double the number of exporters in the region by 2025.
Masitek is one of LearnSphere’s success stories. The smart sensor manufacturer received $30,000 in 2016, and developed a new social media strategy and re-branded their website. The funding was also used to help with lead generation in identified target markets.
“The LearnSphere programs have helped Masitek’s export business to grow exponentially,” said Masitek CEO Tracy Clinch. “We accessed two programs through them, and those programs enabled us to build a dynamic website to reach customers in markets where we never would have been able to before.”