Export Marketing Assistance Program
Highlights
The Northern Ontario Exports Program is designed specifically for businesses like yours. It offers financial assistance and training to help you expand into new markets. This program is ideal if you are looking to grow your business through exports.
Why Apply?
- Financial Support: Receive up to $10,000 to offset costs for trade missions and events.
- Marketing Assistance: Get up to $10,000 (or 50% of project costs) for market research, marketing materials, and trade show participation.
- Training Funds: Access up to $21,000 (or 70% of project costs) for expert training in areas like strategic export planning and sales skills.
Benefits
- Expand Your Market: Connect with foreign buyers and new markets.
- Tailored Support: Funding for specific needs like product certification and digital marketing.
- Ease of Access: Applications are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis, making it straightforward to qualify.
By participating, you can optimize your operations, improve your marketing strategies, and ultimately increase your sales. This program is a valuable opportunity to take your business to the next level.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Grant
Repayment Terms and Interest Rates:
- No repayment required.
- No interest rates apply.
Eligible Expenses:
- Event hosting costs.
- Coordinated group participation in new domestic and in-market events.
Ineligible Expenses:
- General operational costs.
- Salaries and wages.
- Capital expenditures not related to event hosting or participation.
Fees:
- No fees associated with the program.
Qualifications
- Must be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).
- Must be located in Northern Ontario.
- Must be export-ready.
Can be an industry association or not-for-profit organization representing exporting sectors and companies in Northern Ontario.
Disqualifications:
- Businesses not located in Northern Ontario.
- Businesses that are not export-ready.
Description
The Northern Ontario Exports Program offers your business financial support and training to help you expand into new markets. You can receive up to $10,000 to cover costs like organizing events, hosting foreign buyers, and participating in trade missions. This funding helps you connect directly with potential buyers, increasing your chances of making valuable sales.
If you need help with marketing and business development, the program can provide up to $10,000 (or 50% of project costs). This money can be used for market research, creating marketing materials, attending trade shows, and more. These activities can help you better understand and reach new markets, boosting your sales potential.
For improving your operations, you can get up to $21,000 (or 70% of project costs) to hire experts for training and planning. Areas covered include strategic export planning, sales skills, productivity improvements, and supply chain management. This training can make your business more efficient and competitive in the global market.
Program Steps
Contact Program Manager: Reach out to Jenni Myllynen, Program Manager, at [email protected] or 705-674-4455 x4428 to express your interest and get the application form.
Prepare Documentation: Gather the necessary documents to support your application. You will need:
- Business plan
- Financial statements
- Market research reports
- Marketing materials (both traditional and digital)
- Product certification and intellectual property documents (if applicable)
- Any other relevant documentation that demonstrates your readiness for export
Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form with detailed information about your business and the specific export-building initiative you are proposing.
Submit the Application: Send the completed application form and all supporting documents to the provided contact details. Ensure everything is accurate and complete to avoid delays.
Await Review: Your application will be reviewed by the NOEP Advisory Committee. Be prepared to provide additional information if requested.
Approval and Funding: If your application is approved, you will receive confirmation and details about the funding amount and any conditions. Follow the instructions provided to access the funds.
Implement the Project: Use the funds to carry out your export-building initiative as outlined in your application. Keep detailed records of all expenses and activities.
Report Progress: Periodically update the program manager on the progress of your project. Be ready to provide financial reports and evidence of how the funds are being used.
Final Reporting: Upon completion of your project, submit a final report detailing the outcomes and benefits achieved. Include any financial documentation required to verify the use of funds.