Creative Export Canada — Export-Ready Stream
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Non-repayable contribution of up to $2.5M for export-ready Canadian creative industry companies to market and commercialize content, products, or services internationally. Covers trade missions, international marketing campaigns, licensing, co-productions, and export-related business development.
Eligibility Requirements
- Incorporated under the laws of Canada, a province, or territory
- For-profit company or not-for-profit organization in an eligible creative industry
- Canadian-owned and controlled with annual revenues up to $500 million
- Minimum one full-time employee (at least 30 hours/week, on salary)
- Project must involve international marketing/commercialization of eligible creative content
- One application per deadline (including subsidiaries of parent companies)
- Ineligible if parent company revenues exceed $500M or if applicant received CEC funding 3+ years in the last 5 fiscal years
- Eligible creative industries: audiovisual, music, performing arts, publishing, visual arts, crafts, design, interactive digital media (combined with another eligible industry)
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $2,500,000 per application
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 75% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
See how this program compares on approval odds, difficulty, and competition — so you know if it’s worth your time. Unlock with Premium →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipApplications that clearly demonstrate existing export traction (revenue, distribution deals, international partners) score significantly higher than first-time exporters. Quantify projected international revenue and name specific buyers or markets — vague 'global expansion' narratives are routinely rejected.
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Success Profile
Established Canadian creative company (5+ years, $1M+ revenue) with a track record of domestic sales now pursuing a defined international market — e.g., a book publisher entering the UK market, a games studio targeting Southeast Asia, or a music label doing a US radio campaign.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application steps not yet documented.
Required Documents 7
Deadline Notes
Annual intake with a fixed deadline each spring (typically April). For 2025–2026, the deadline was April 23, 2025; the 2026–2027 intake deadline is expected around April 2026. Budget is $7M/year for this stream.
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How Creative Export Canada — Ex... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Export Canada — Export-Ready... | Up to $2,500,000 per application | Hard | Milestone-Based | Ongoing |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Annual intake window.... |
| Export Development Canada (EDC) Finan... | Varies | Easy | Equity | Ongoing |
| Digital Technology Supercluster | Up to $5 million | Hard | Reimbursement | Open — Call for... |
| Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit | 25% of eligible BC | Moderate | Tax Credit Offset | Ongoing |
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