E-tools for Exporting
Grow your export sales with up to 65% reimbursement (max $15,000) for digital marketing and market research. You must pay all costs upfront and get approval before spending. Verified against the official source on July 2, 2026.
How we verify funding records →
“For the minimum project size of $5,000, the reimbursement would equal $3,250 ; for a project of $27,033 or greater, the maximum reimbursement would be $15,000.”
Before you spend a dollar
Approval must come BEFORE spending; do not make financial commitments prior to submission or costs will not be eligible.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Not sure if you qualify?
Get a free, 2-minute read on whether this program fits your business. No obligation.
Check your fit →Is this for you?
- You are a PEI-based SME with a CRA Business Number that is currently exporting or planning to start.
- You need support for digital export activities such as SEO, paid online ads, e-commerce setup, or market research.
- You have the cash flow to pay 100% of project costs upfront and wait for reimbursement after completion.
Probably not the right fit if
- You operate in retail, wholesale, real estate, government services, personal/social services, or softwood lumber.
- You are a professional service firm like a marketing agency or coach, unless your project offers a unique strategic benefit to Atlantic Canada.
- You have already incurred costs or made financial commitments before submitting your application, as these are ineligible.
How much you'd realistically get
Up to 65% of eligible costs, capped at $15,000 per project, with a minimum project cost of $5,000.
What may be supported
- Market research or export plan development.
- Lead generation activities.
- Sales activities such as mapping sales process or creating a sales playbook.
- Translation services.
- SEO and paid online advertising campaigns.
- Integration of e-commerce functionality.
- Social media strategy and video production.
- Training, coaching, or mentoring on the above activities.
- Professional or consulting fees to undertake these activities.
What's excluded or restricted
- Costs associated with participating in a trade show
- Printing of brochures
- Production of trade show booth
- HST (Harmonized Sales Tax)
- Consultant travel fees
- Trade show attendance fees
- Work performed by employees (except for managing online advertising campaigns where the 'consultant' is the platform like Google/Facebook)
- Financial commitments made or costs incurred prior to application submission
- Projects that do not demonstrate how the activity will lead to increased sales outside of Canada
- Projects that are continuations of previous projects (for second applications)
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou must complete an online application, attach consultant proposals, wait for evaluation (usually two weeks), sign a contract, execute the project with arm's length consultants, and submit a claim for reimbursement.
- 01Complete the online application form at the LearnSphere portal.
- 02Attach consultant proposals and other supporting documents.
- 03Wait for evaluation outcome, usually within two weeks of submission.
- 04If approved, sign a contract with LearnSphere.
- 05Select arm's length consultants and execute the project within six months.
- 06Submit a claim after project completion to receive reimbursement.
Who to ask: Sally Marchand (Project Manager) or Carolyne Mongrain (Project Coordinator) at LearnSphere. Phone: 1 877 644 2267. Email/Contact page: https://learnsphere.ca/contact
Documents commonly required
- Completed online application form.
- Consultant proposal(s) detailing the work.
- Supporting documents as required by the portal.
- Proof of CRA Business Number.
- Evidence of PEI head office location.
How BBN Labs helps
- BBN builds your export-ready website and integrates e-commerce so international buyers can browse and purchase your products directly online.
- BBN runs your SEO strategy and paid online advertising campaigns to generate qualified leads and drive traffic from your target markets outside Canada.
- BBN builds the lead-generation landing pages and forms this grant funds, turning your export campaigns into qualified buyer inquiries.
- BBN handles translation and localization of your website and digital assets, so your message lands clearly with customers in each target market.
- BBN produces your export marketing videos and manages your social media strategy, showcasing your products to international buyers in the channels they watch.
What to know before you count on it
- You must cash flow 100% of the costs upfront and wait for reimbursement after project completion and claim acceptance.
- Projects must be completed within a six-month period from approval.
- You are limited to two projects per program phase, and a second project must demonstrate progressive activity, not just a continuation.
- Costs incurred before application submission are strictly ineligible.
What are your odds?
Applications are evaluated within two weeks, but approval is not guaranteed and depends on demonstrating how the activity leads to increased sales outside Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use this funding for trade shows?
No. Costs associated with participating in a trade show, printing brochures, or producing trade show booths are explicitly excluded.
Do I need to pay for the project before I get the money?
Yes. You must cash flow 100% of the costs upfront. LearnSphere reimburses the contribution amount only after all project costs have been paid and a claim is submitted and accepted.
Can I apply if I am a marketing agency?
Generally no. Professional services like marketing firms are ineligible unless the project represents a unique strategic opportunity with potential economic benefit to Atlantic Canada.
How long do I have to complete the project?
Projects must be completed within a six-month period from approval.
What you can combine it with
You can apply for a maximum of two projects per program phase, provided the second is distinct and progressive.
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Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Record last updated July 3, 2026; last verified July 2, 2026 against the official source. Source: official program page.