Trade Market Intelligence Service
Highlights
This program is designed to help your business grow by providing critical market and trade intelligence at no cost. You will receive customized market research tailored to your specific products, services, and target markets. This includes competitor analysis, trade regulations, market characteristics, and marketing research.
What You Get:
- One-on-one collaboration with a Regional Development Advisor and TMI Manager
- Detailed, customized reports to support your export strategy
- Access to leading proprietary databases for in-depth market insights
Benefits:
- Identify new export opportunities and improve competitiveness
- Save time and resources with expert research support
- Make informed decisions for market entry and expansion
Applying is straightforward, and the approval process is efficient, ensuring you get the insights you need promptly. This program offers a significant advantage over other financing options by providing valuable intelligence without the financial burden.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Grant
Repayment Terms and Interest Rates:
- No repayment required.
- No interest rates apply.
Eligible Expenses:
- Marketing and promotional activities.
- Research and development.
- Training and skills development.
- Equipment purchases.
- Operational costs directly related to the project.
Ineligible Expenses:
- Salaries and wages for existing staff.
- Real estate purchases.
- Debt refinancing.
- Personal expenses.
Fees:
- No application fees.
- No processing fees.
Qualifications
- Must be a revenue-generating business based in Nova Scotia.
- Must have fewer than 75 full-time employees (FTEs).
- Must be export-ready or looking to diversify exports within the next 6 months.
- Project questions should be relevant to decision-making for upcoming market entry plans.
Must be engaged and referred to the service by a Regional Business Development Advisor or Export Development Executive.
Disqualifications:
- Businesses not based in Nova Scotia.
- Businesses with 75 or more full-time employees.
- Businesses not planning to export or diversify exports within the next 6 months.
- Businesses not engaged or referred by a Regional Business Development Advisor or Export Development Executive.
Description
This program offers your business a valuable chance to grow. You can receive up to $1,000,000. This money can be used to buy equipment or improve your business space.
You can use the funds for:
- Commercial kitchen appliances
- Manufacturing machinery
- Computers and IT infrastructure
- Renovating a retail space
For other costs, like software or operational expenses, you can get up to $150,000.
The federal government guarantees 85% of the loan, providing a significant safety net for you.
The loan is flexible. If you've made significant purchases in the last 365 days that fit the program guidelines, you can include them in this loan.
You have several options for repayment. Choose a variable interest rate, a fixed one, or combine your loan amount and interest into blended payments. You have up to 15 years to pay back the loan, regardless of what you spend it on.
Program Steps
Contact Your Regional Business Development Advisor: Reach out to your Regional Business Development Advisor to get the application link and your Invest Nova Scotia Customer Number.
Prepare Documentation: Gather the necessary documents to support your application. You will need:
- Business plan
- Financial statements
- Export strategy
- Details of your products or services
- Market research data
Complete Two-Step Identity Verification:
- Enter your Invest Nova Scotia Customer Number and associated email address to receive a one-time code.
- Enter the one-time code to verify your identity and gain access to the online form.
Fill Out the Online Application: Use the link provided by your Regional Business Development Advisor to access and complete the online application form.
Submit the Application: Ensure all information is accurate and complete before submitting your application online.
Await Assessment: Your application will be assessed and prioritized by the TMI Manager in consultation with your Regional Business Development Advisor.
Receive Approval and Begin Collaboration: Upon approval, you will collaborate with an Invest Nova Scotia Regional Development Advisor and the TMI Manager to refine your research objectives and receive a detailed report customized to your needs.