Strategic Improvement Assistance
Get up to $20,000 in non-repayable grant funding to cover professional consulting costs for your PEI export business. This support covers up to 40% of eligible expenses, but you must secure formal approval before spending any money.
“Personal information on this form is collected under Section 31(c) of the _Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act_ R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c f-15.01 as it relates directly to and is necessary for determining eligibility.”
From the official program page
Before you spend a dollar
Approval must come BEFORE any financial or legal commitment is made on the project; do not start work or sign contracts until you receive the letter of offer.
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 run a PEI business in a strategic sector like bioscience, aerospace, or ICT and you actively export goods or services.
- You need outside professional expertise for planning or efficiency rather than buying physical equipment.
- You can wait for formal approval before signing contracts or paying consultants, since spending before submission disqualifies you.
Probably not the right fit if
- You operate in a standard local service sector like a typical restaurant or retail store that does not primarily export or fit the listed strategic sectors.
- You have already paid for or signed a legal contract for the consulting work before applying, as pre-commitment is excluded.
- You have defaulted on debts in the PEI Central Default Registry or have unresolved obligations with Innovation PEI.
How much you'd realistically get
For example, on a $10,000 eligible project, that's up to about $4,000 back.
Up to 40% of eligible costs, capped at $20,000 per approved project, with a maximum of $20,000 total per business within a 12-month period.
What may be supported
- Operational efficiency assessments and workflow studies.
- Strategic planning for export growth or supply chain optimization.
- Quality assurance and food safety strategy development.
- IT systems integration and project management tool implementation.
- Renewable energy integration and environmental impact assessments.
What's excluded or restricted
- Purchase of capital equipment.
- Projects that do not provide economic benefit to the province of Prince Edward Island.
- Applications from businesses with defaulted outstanding debt in the Province’s Central Default Registry.
- Applications from businesses in default on reporting, project completion, or financial obligations to Innovation PEI (until resolved).
- Applications where financial or legal commitment has been made before submission (approval must come before spending).
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou must prepare detailed business information, financial statements, project descriptions, and cost estimates with quotes. Consulting an Innovation PEI Business Development Officer is recommended before applying.
- 01Consult with an Innovation PEI Business Development Officer for guidance on your project's eligibility.
- 02Prepare detailed business information, including financial statements, business plan, project description, and cost estimates with quotes.
- 03Submit your application online via the Business Development Application Form portal or send a completed original application to Innovation PEI.
- 04Wait for review and acceptance of a letter of offer (contract) before proceeding with any work or payments.
Who to ask: Phone: 902-368-6300 or Toll-free: 1-800-563-3734; Email: innovation@gov.pe.ca or business@gov.pe.ca; Address: 94 Euston Street, PO Box 910, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7L9
Before you apply
Your application will likely need written quotes
Programs like this usually ask for written estimates for the work before they approve anything, and some require as many as three. BBN Labs works with you on this: we prepare a quote for the work this program funds — scope, costs and timelines you can put straight into your application. Free, no obligation.
Get my quote for this program →Documents commonly required
- Financial statements for existing businesses or business plan for new businesses.
- Detailed project description and cost estimates with quotes from professionals.
- Source of funds documentation.
- Market position analysis and shareholder/management list.
How BBN Labs helps
- BBN implements IT systems integration and project management tools, connecting your software so operations run from one place.
- BBN designs automation and AI workflows that execute the efficiency improvements your assessment identifies, cutting manual work.
- From first draft to final submission, BBN keeps you on schedule so you never miss a deadline.
What to know before you count on it
- This is selective and competitive; Innovation PEI reviews applications for economic benefit to the province and strategic fit.
- The grant is generally taxable income; ask your accountant how this affects your net benefit.
- Combined non-repayable government funding cannot exceed 75% of eligible costs, so you must cover the remaining share.
- Payment mechanics are not explicitly published; confirm with Innovation PEI if this is reimbursement-based or paid upfront.
What are your odds?
Selection is discretionary based on strategic sector fit and economic benefit to PEI; businesses with clear export potential and well-documented project plans tend to succeed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use this grant to buy new equipment?
No. The purchase of capital equipment is explicitly excluded. This grant covers costs for outside professional expertise for assessment, planning, design, or implementation.
Is the grant taxable?
Generally, grants are considered taxable income. You should ask your accountant to confirm how this applies to your specific business structure.
How much can I get in total?
Up to $20,000 per approved project, with a maximum of $20,000 total per business within a 12-month period (up to two applications).
What if I have already started the project?
You cannot apply if you have made a financial or legal commitment before submission. Approval must come before spending.
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What you can combine it with
You can combine this with other funding, but total non-repayable government support cannot exceed 75% of eligible costs.
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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.
Record last updated ; last verified today with the official source. Source: official program page.