E-tools for Exporting
LearnSphere pays back up to 65% of costs (max $15,000) for digital marketing and market research that help you sell outside Canada. You must pay all costs upfront and get approval before spending.
“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.”
From the official program page
Before you spend any money
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.
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
For example, an export-ready website with translated marketing:
Project cost
$23,000
Program pays
$14,950
You pay
$8,050
Illustration using this program's published rate and cap; amounts and eligibility are decided by the program.
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.
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 usually evaluated within two weeks. Approval depends on showing how the activity will lead to more 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.
More funding by what it pays for
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.
Related programs
Export Market Access Program (EMAP)
Up to $15,000
This cost-share program helps PEI small businesses expand into international markets by reimbursing eligible expenses for digital export activities…
Checked
Export Enhancement and Diversification Fund
Up to $32,000
Innovation PEI pays part of the cost of export activities such as trade shows and market research.
Checked
Small Business Assistance
Up to $2,500
This Innovation PEI grant helps PEI micro-businesses pay for expert help with plans, such as business or marketing plans.
Checked
Worth reading before you apply
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.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.