Launch Export Atlantic Incubator
Highlights
This program is designed for businesses like yours, aiming to expand sales outside of Nova Scotia and Canada. By participating, you will receive targeted export educational sessions and 1:1 coaching to help you navigate foreign markets. The program includes training on customer discovery, sales, digital marketing, and more, ensuring you are well-prepared for international growth.
Key Benefits:
- Export Monthly Action Plan (Export MAP) to guide your export planning.
- Educational Trade Mission to Atlanta, Georgia in May 2024, with pre-mission sessions and post-mission follow-up.
- 75% reimbursement of air travel and accommodation costs for one participant per company.
The program is easy to qualify for and offers substantial support to help your business thrive internationally. With a minimal fee of $250 for training and another $250 for the trade mission, the value you receive far outweighs the cost. This is a unique opportunity to gain the knowledge and connections needed to succeed in export markets.
Financing Details
Type of Financing:
- Loan: The program offers a repayable loan to support your business's export activities.
Repayment Terms and Interest Rates:
- Repayment Term: The loan must be repaid within 5 years.
- Interest Rate: The interest rate is fixed at 3% per annum.
Eligible Expenses:
- Export Planning: Costs associated with developing an Export Monthly Action Plan (Export MAP).
- Educational Sessions: Fees for targeted export educational sessions.
- Coaching: Costs for 1:1 coaching opportunities.
- Trade Missions: Expenses related to participating in educational trade missions, including travel, meals, and accommodations.
Ineligible Expenses:
- Operational Costs: Day-to-day operational expenses such as salaries, rent, and utilities are not covered.
- Existing Debts: The loan cannot be used to pay off existing debts or liabilities.
Fees:
- Training Component Fee: $250, covering export training, support services, and coaching.
- Educational Trade Mission Fee: $250, with reimbursement of 75% of air travel and accommodation costs for one participant per company, upon submission of travel claims and receipts.
Qualifications
- Must be a small business in Atlantic Canada.
- Must be interested in expanding sales outside of Nova Scotia and Canada.
- Must be willing to participate in virtual export readiness programs.
- Must be able to attend an educational trade mission to Atlanta, Georgia in May 2024.
- Must pay a training component fee of $250.
- Must pay an Educational Trade Mission fee of $250.
Must be able to cover costs associated with travel, meals, and accommodations (75% of air travel and accommodations costs for one participant per company will be reimbursed upon submission of receipts).
Disqualifications:
- None specified.
Description
This program is designed to help your business expand its sales outside of Nova Scotia and Canada. It offers targeted export education sessions to build your export capacity. These sessions cover essential topics like customer discovery, sales training, pitch practice, digital marketing, and more.
You will also receive 1:1 coaching to solve business challenges and enter foreign markets. A highlight of the program is an educational trade mission to Atlanta, Georgia in May 2024. This includes pre-mission preparation, meetings with Canadian government and business organizations, and post-mission follow-up.
The cost for the training component is $250, which covers all virtual sessions and coaching. The trade mission fee is also $250, with 75% reimbursement for air travel and accommodations for one participant per company. This program is a great opportunity to grow your business and gain valuable export knowledge.
Program Steps
Gather Required Documentation:
- Business Plan
- Financial Statements (last 2 years)
- Export Market Research
- Projected Cash Flow Statements
- Proof of Business Registration
- Identification Documents
Complete the Application Form:
- Fill out the application form provided by the program.
- Ensure all sections are completed accurately.
Submit the Application:
- Submit the completed application form along with the required documentation.
- Applications can be submitted online or via mail, as specified by the program.
Pay the Training Component Fee:
- Pay the $250 fee for the export training, support services, and coaching.
- Ensure payment is made through the specified method (e.g., online payment portal).
Attend Virtual Training Sessions:
- Participate in the scheduled virtual training sessions via Zoom.
- Engage in sessions on customer discovery, sales training, pitch practice, and more.
Develop an Export Monthly Action Plan (Export MAP):
- Work with program advisors to create a detailed Export MAP.
- Outline your export goals, strategies, and timelines.
Participate in 1:1 Coaching Sessions:
- Schedule and attend coaching sessions to address specific business challenges.
- Receive personalized advice on entering foreign markets.
Prepare for the Educational Trade Mission:
- Pay the $250 fee for the Educational Trade Mission.
- Attend pre-mission sessions to understand planning and expectations.
- Arrange travel, meals, and accommodations (75% of air travel and accommodation costs reimbursed post-mission).
Engage in the Trade Mission:
- Participate in meetings with Canadian government and business organizations.
- Visit sector-specific sites and attend educational sessions in Atlanta, Georgia.
Post-Mission Follow-Up:
- Submit travel claims with receipts for reimbursement.
- Follow up with a matchmaker for additional support after B2B meetings.