CanExport SMEs vs. Global NY STEP: Export Marketing Grants Compared
Understand the eligibility guidelines, funding caps, application timelines, and stacking playbooks for both options.
CanExport SMEs Program
Offers cost-shared funding to help Canadian businesses expand into new international markets by covering travel, marketing, trade show, and translation costs.
View GuideGlobal NY State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Helps New York small businesses enter or expand into international markets by offsetting costs for trade shows, translations, and global marketing campaigns.
View GuideHead-to-Head Criteria Comparison
| Dimension | CANEXPORT Parameters | NEW Parameters |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Region | Federal Canada (all provinces) | New York State (other states have separate STEP programs) |
| Maximum Amount | Up to $50,000 (reimburses 50% of project costs) | Up to $10,000 (reimburses 70% of project costs) |
| Eligible Costs | Travel, marketing translation, IP protection, trade show booths | Exhibit space fees, flight tickets, international SEO, translations |
| Min Corporate Revenue | $100,000 to $100 Million (declared in tax history) | No fixed minimum; must match SBA small business size thresholds |
| Intake Schedule | Annual cycle starting April (rapidly runs out of funds) | Rolling intake throughout the fiscal year |
Stacking Recommendation & Action Plan
How to optimize your filings by leveraging both programs in parallel.
Export grants are region-locked based on corporate registration. A Canadian CCPC will use CanExport to subsidize international expansion, whereas a US entity registered in New York will leverage NY STEP.
Optimization Playbook:
- Always obtain formal written approval prior to booking flights or signing contracts with international trade show organizers. Retrospective claims are universally rejected.
- Combine these export travel subsidies with local training grants (such as Ohio TechCred or Ontario Skills Development Fund) to cover the costs of training your sales representatives on localized foreign CRM modules.
Explore Stacking Options By Industry
Public funding eligibility varies significantly by sector. Select your industry to view custom program matches and stacking playbooks:
Related Programs
Detailed guides on programs related to this comparison:
CanExport SME
Offers cost-shared funding to help Canadian businesses expand into new international markets by covering travel, marketing, trade show, and translation costs.
Global NY State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Helps New York small businesses enter or expand into international markets by offsetting costs for trade shows, translations, and global marketing campaigns.
SR&ED Tax Credit
Canada's largest tax incentive for businesses conducting scientific research or experimental development. Provides a fully refundable investment tax credit (ITC) for eligible R&D expenditures.
IRAP Grant
Provides non-repayable grants and advisory support to help Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) develop and commercialize innovative technologies.
Unsure Which Path Yields the Most Funding?
Our analysts review business registration records, technical R&D payroll, and market goals to draft custom stacking models.
Funding Eligibility Estimator
Calculate potential matching grants and tax credits for your business profile.
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Local Funding Hubs
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Official Program Alignment
FSI Digital reviews eligibility standards in accordance with official guidelines. We never guarantee funding; all approvals are subject to official government program review.