Registered business in Atlantic Canada qualifying as a Small or Medium Enterprise (SME) of 499 or fewer employees
Services
Launch Export Atlantic Incubator
Virtual export-readiness program for Atlantic Canadian SMEs that builds export capacity over a seven-month period, selecting up to 32 SMEs (eight per Atlantic province) per year. Each participating company gains access to an estimated $15,000 of export training, coaching, and consultation, including 10 hours of discretionary coaching and a digital marketing asset allowance (up to $1,000 + HST), for a $250 participation fee. Funded by ACOA and the four Atlantic provinces under ATIGA.
Overview
Virtual export-readiness program for Atlantic Canadian SMEs that builds export capacity over a seven-month period, selecting up to 32 SMEs (eight per Atlantic province) per year. Each participating company gains access to an estimated $15,000 of export training, coaching, and consultation, including 10 hours of discretionary coaching and a digital marketing asset allowance (up to $1,000 + HST), for a $250 participation fee. Funded by ACOA and the four Atlantic provinces under ATIGA.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | program (training and coaching) |
| Level | atlantic |
| Region | Atlantic Canada |
| Administrator | Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency with the four Atlantic provinces (via provincial agencies) |
| Intake status | 2026-27 cohort closed (Invest NS deadline 2026-07-03; ONB deadline 2026-07-31); next intake period in 2027 |
| Non-US bias | New markets outside Canada; export diversification focus |
Eligibility
Developed product and/or service available for purchase
Interest in selling products/services in new markets outside Canada
Available to fully participate in a needs assessment interview, 15 virtual training sessions over 7 months, coaching, and surveys
What it covers
Targeted export educational sessions
Business Foundations, Export Readiness, Export Education and Market Entry Strategy (online)
10 hours of discretionary 1:1 coaching on export challenges and foreign market entry
Digital Marketing Asset Allowance (up to $1,000 + HST) for durable digital marketing assets
Ongoing as-needed 1:1 business support from provincial representatives
Invitation to apply to the Educational Trade Mission (Fall 2026, up to 20 companies, pending funding approval)
Market and diversification rules
Participation limited to eight companies per province
Multi-sector program for early-stage and emerging exporters
How to apply
Submit the online application form (Smartsheet) via the provincial program page
Pay the $250 training component fee (travel and accommodation not included) to confirm the application
Fully engage in all program activities once accepted
Stacking notes
Supported by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces through ATIGA
Notes
Estimated $15,000 value of training, coaching, and consultation per SME
2026-27 cohort runs September 27, 2026
March 31, 2027; in-person kick-off in Truro September 28-29
Program is now closed for the current cohort; check back for the next intake in 2027
Relevant services
The services below are grant-eligible: CanExport and EDC reimburse up to 50% for incorporated Canadian exporters.
Book a free readiness call
Grant programs can reimburse up to 50% of eligible market-entry costs. In one free call we tell you honestly whether your product fits a non-US market.
Book a free readiness call