Marketing grants in Manitoba — see which you qualify for
Answer a few quick questions and watch the map narrow to the ones your Manitoba business can actually get — free, no account.
Key facts — Manitoba marketing funding 2026
Six numbers every MB business owner should know before applying
- Manitoba Export Development Program reimburses up to 75% of trade show exhibiting costs; intake continuous for 2026/27 fiscal year.
- CanExport SMEs requires 3–500 employees and annual revenue of $300,000–$100 million; next deadline May 29, 2026.
- AgriMarketing SME Stream covers 70% of eligible costs up to $100,000 per project for MB agri-food exporters with fewer than 250 employees.
- PrairiesCan BSP covers Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba businesses; minimum ask is $200,000, maximum $5,000,000.
- Creative Export Canada (Export-Ready Stream) goes up to $2,500,000 per application for Manitoba creative companies with confirmed international buyers.
- CanExport Innovation covers 75% of costs up to $37,500 per project for MB companies pursuing R&D partnerships internationally.
Find which programs match your Manitoba business
The 3-minute quiz filters all 8 programs against your industry, revenue, and export stage — so you apply to the ones you can actually win.
Take the free quiz →Which Manitoba businesses qualify for marketing grants
Four common applicant profiles and the strongest program for each
If you're a Winnipeg or Brandon manufacturer attending your first international trade show
Manitoba Export Development Program (EDP) is your starting point. It reimburses 75% of exhibiting costs and 50% of attendance costs at international trade shows — with continuous intake open for the 2026/27 fiscal year. Eligible companies must have annual sales between $30,000 and $50 million. The application is managed by Trade and Export, Province of Manitoba, and approvals typically come within a few weeks. Layer CanExport SMEs on top for larger-scale market development activities beyond the trade show itself — CanExport covers a broader set of eligible costs including foreign agent fees, travel for market assessment, and digital marketing targeting new export markets.
Winnipeg-based manufacturers in the Inkster Industrial Park, the St. Boniface Industrial Park, and Brandon's industrial corridor are all eligible. The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Manitoba Chambers of Commerce both provide pre-application guidance on which trade shows qualify.
Source: Province of Manitoba — Trade and Export Division; Global Affairs Canada CanExport SMEs program guideIf you're a Manitoba agri-food producer targeting export markets in Asia or Europe
AgriMarketing Market Diversification — SME Stream provides up to $100,000 per project at 70% cost-share for Manitoba agri-food, fish, or seafood companies with fewer than 250 employees and under $50 million in annual sales. The program is open through September 30, 2030, with applications accepted from February 13, 2026 onward. Eligible activities include market research, trade missions, certification for foreign markets, product development for export, and marketing campaigns in target markets. Manitoba Pork, Canola Council of Canada, and Manitoba Beef Producers are examples of organizations that help coordinate group applications for producers in Portage la Prairie, Dauphin, and The Pas regions.
Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada AgriMarketing program guide 2026If you're a Winnipeg creative company — music, film, digital media — building international revenue
Creative Export Canada offers two streams. The Export Development Stream provides up to $90,000 (75% of eligible expenses) for companies pursuing international markets for the first time — expected next deadline June 2026. The Export-Ready Stream goes up to $2,500,000 for Manitoba creative companies with demonstrated international sales and confirmed buyer relationships. Eligible sectors include film, television, music, publishing, digital gaming, and interactive media. Winnipeg's creative sector — including companies in the Exchange District, West End, and Transcona — has successfully accessed both streams. The Manitoba Film & Music office and Creative Manitoba both provide intake support and pre-application review for first-time applicants.
Source: Department of Canadian Heritage Creative Export Canada program guideIf you're a high-growth Manitoba tech or advanced-manufacturing company scaling national and international marketing
PrairiesCan Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) is the right vehicle for growth-stage Manitoba companies that need $200,000 or more for marketing infrastructure, product launches, or scale-up campaigns. BSP runs a two-stage process: Expression of Interest first, then full application if selected. The program requires at least 20% year-over-year revenue growth and confirmed non-government co-funding for at least 50% of total project costs. Winnipeg companies in North End, Tuxedo, and the Digital Corridor routinely access BSP alongside private investors. Manitoba Technology Accelerator (MTA) in Winnipeg and North Forge Technology Exchange in Winnipeg are two regional intermediaries that help companies prepare BSP submissions.
Source: Prairies Economic Development Canada BSP program guide 2026If you're a small Winnipeg retail or service business looking for local marketing support
Most federal programs require incorporated businesses with revenue above $300,000 and genuine export activities — they are not designed for local marketing. The West End BIZ Business Development Grant (administered by the Winnipeg Business Improvement Zones) provides up to $1,000 (50% cost-share) or up to $3,000 for larger projects for member businesses in the West End BIZ area covering marketing, professional services, renovations, staff training, and IT improvements. Brandon, Steinbach, Thompson, and Portage la Prairie each have their own Business Improvement Districts with similar local-marketing grant programs. The City of Winnipeg's Economic Development team can connect businesses to the right local BIZ for their geographic area.
Manitoba export marketing programs compared
| Program | Max amount | Cost-share | Next deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manitoba EDP | 75% of exhibiting costs | 75% exhibit / 50% attend | Continuous (2026/27 open) |
| CanExport SMEs | $50,000/project; $99,999/yr | 50% of eligible costs | May 29, 2026 |
| CanExport Innovation | $100,000/yr organization | 75% of $50K max budget/project | Quarterly — TBD |
| Program | Max per project | Eligible applicants | Open until |
|---|---|---|---|
| AgriMarketing SME Stream | $100,000 (70% cost-share) | SMEs <250 employees, <$50M revenue | Sept 30, 2030 |
| AgriMarketing Core Stream | $2,000,000/yr; $10M over 5 yrs | National industry associations, cooperatives | Sept 30, 2027 |
| Manitoba EDP — agri | 75% of trade show exhibiting | MB companies, $30K–$50M sales | Continuous |
Manitoba marketing grants by region and sector — geographic coverage
Winnipeg is the primary hub for marketing grant applications — home to Trade and Export Division (Province of Manitoba), PrairiesCan's Manitoba regional office (330 Portage Ave, Winnipeg), Global Affairs Canada Trade Commissioner Service Manitoba, and the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce's export advisory team. Companies in the Exchange District, Tuxedo Business Park, Inkster Industrial Park, St. Boniface Industrial Park, and the North End Industrial Area are all within easy reach of these offices.
Brandon — Manitoba's second city — has its own Business Development Centre at the Brandon Economic Development office on Pacific Avenue. Brandon manufacturers and agri-food producers in the surrounding Southwest Manitoba region (including Portage la Prairie, Dauphin, and Virden) most commonly access the MB EDP for trade show support and CanExport for larger international campaigns.
In Steinbach and Winkler — Manitoba's growing manufacturing corridor in the southeast — light manufacturers apply to PrairiesCan BSP for scale-up support and CanExport SMEs for export market entry. The Steinbach & Area Economic Development office and Pembina Valley Development Corporation in Winkler both provide pre-application support.
Thompson, The Pas, and Flin Flon in Northern Manitoba are served by PrairiesCan's Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) stream, which funds community-level economic development including tourism marketing. Indigenous businesses in Northern Manitoba communities — including those affiliated with Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (Winnipeg) and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (Thompson) — can access dedicated PrairiesCan Indigenous stream funding for market development.
Source: Prairies Economic Development Canada regional office directory; Province of Manitoba Trade and Export; Winnipeg Chamber of CommerceDefinitive verdicts — which program to apply for first
Based on eligibility, timeline, and amount
Manitoba Export Development Program (EDP) is the best first application because it has continuous intake (no waiting for a window), requires only $30,000 in annual sales to qualify, and reimburses up to 75% of exhibiting costs. Apply before attending the show — not after.
CanExport SMEs delivers up to $99,999 per company per fiscal year in non-repayable grant funding. With a next deadline of May 29, 2026, Manitoba businesses that move quickly can secure an approval before the June/July summer cycle. Eligibility requires incorporation, 3–500 employees, and $300K–$100M in annual revenue.
AgriMarketing Market Diversification — SME Stream is the right fit: up to $100,000 at 70% cost-share, open through 2030, and designed specifically for producers and processors in the agriculture, agri-food, fish, and seafood sectors — exactly the industries where Manitoba has competitive depth (canola, hog, beef, pulse crops).
PrairiesCan BSP is the right choice for Manitoba companies that need $200,000 or more and can demonstrate 20%+ year-over-year revenue growth with confirmed co-funding. The process is competitive and takes 3–6 months, but the scale — up to $5,000,000 — makes it worth pursuing for companies in active growth phases.
Creative Export Canada Development Stream ($90K, 75%) stacked on top of Manitoba EDP trade show reimbursement creates the most complete package for Manitoba creative sector companies. Apply to EDP for trade show costs; apply to Creative Export for broader campaign costs including agent fees, translation, and distribution agreements. Both can run concurrently.
Eligibility decision trees
Decision tree 1: Which export grant matches your Manitoba business?
- Are you attending an international trade show?
- YES → Apply to Manitoba EDP first (75% of exhibiting costs, continuous intake). Then apply to CanExport SMEs for additional eligible costs (market research, agent fees, digital marketing).
- NO — focused on online or digital export marketing → Apply directly to CanExport SMEs ($50K/project, 50% cost-share, May 29 deadline).
- Is your business in agri-food, fish, or seafood?
- YES, under 250 employees and under $50M revenue → AgriMarketing SME Stream ($100K, 70% cost-share). Can stack with CanExport SMEs.
- YES, but you represent an industry association or cooperative → AgriMarketing Core Stream (up to $2M/year).
- Is your business in the creative sector (film, music, digital media, publishing)?
- YES, first-time exporter → Creative Export Canada — Development Stream ($90K, 75%). Next annual deadline expected June 2026.
- YES, established exporter with confirmed international buyers → Creative Export Canada — Export-Ready Stream (up to $2.5M).
Decision tree 2: Do you qualify for PrairiesCan BSP?
- Is your business incorporated and operating in Manitoba, Alberta, or Saskatchewan? → YES required
- Has it been operating for 2+ years? → YES required
- Can you demonstrate 20%+ year-over-year revenue growth? → YES preferred (not absolute, but strongly weighted)
- Can you secure non-government co-funding for at least 50% of total project costs? → YES required
- Is the minimum project size at least $200,000? → YES required
- IF ALL YES → Submit an Expression of Interest to PrairiesCan's Winnipeg office. A PrairiesCan advisor will schedule a pre-application meeting.
- IF any NO (especially co-funding) → Apply to CanExport SMEs or Manitoba EDP first to build the revenue track record that strengthens a future BSP application.
All 8 programs — Manitoba marketing & export grants 2026
Verified against the GrantCompass catalog; all programs confirmed active as of May 2026
Manitoba Export Development Program (EDP)
Provincial GrantManitoba EDP reimburses trade show costs for Manitoba companies attending or exhibiting at international trade shows. Exhibitors receive up to 75% back; attendees receive 50%. Incoming buyer missions receive up to $5,000. Requirements: Manitoba-based company with annual sales between $30,000 and $50 million. Cannot attend the same specific trade show more than twice in five years.
View full program details →CanExport SMEs
Federal GrantCanExport SMEs provides non-repayable funding for Canadian incorporated SMEs developing new export markets — covering market research, trade missions, foreign agent fees, certification, and digital marketing targeting international audiences. Manitoba companies with 3–500 employees and $300K–$100M annual revenue qualify. 50% cost-share. Applications submitted through the CanExport online portal; a Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) meeting before applying significantly improves outcomes.
View full program details →CanExport Innovation
Federal GrantCanExport Innovation funds international R&D partnerships for Canadian SMEs and research organizations with technology at TRL 4 or above. Eligible activities include joint R&D agreements, licensing negotiations, international IP protection, and attendance at international innovation events. Manitoba tech companies, agri-tech firms, and health sciences companies in Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre corridor and the University of Manitoba Research Park are strong candidates.
View full program details →AgriMarketing Program — Market Diversification (SME Stream)
Federal GrantAgriMarketing Market Diversification targets Manitoba SMEs in agriculture, agri-food, fish, and seafood sectors that want to develop new export markets or diversify existing ones. Fewer than 250 employees, under $50 million annual sales. Covers market research, product adaptation for export, trade show participation in new markets, and marketing collateral. Manitoba pork, pulse crop, canola, and specialty grain producers are particularly well-positioned given the program's Indo-Pacific and underrepresented group bonus rate of 70%.
View full program details →Creative Export Canada — Export Development Stream
Federal GrantCreative Export Canada Export Development Stream supports Manitoba creative businesses — music labels, game studios, film production companies, publishers — that are entering international markets for the first time or expanding into a new market. Covers agent fees, licensing costs, translation, international marketing campaigns, trade missions, and market research. Eligibility requires a Canadian-incorporated company in an eligible creative industry with less than $25 million in annual revenue and confirmed export activities planned.
View full program details →Creative Export Canada — Export-Ready Stream
Federal GrantThe Export-Ready Stream is designed for Manitoba creative companies with established international revenue and confirmed buyer relationships that want to scale export operations significantly. With a maximum of $2.5 million per application, it is one of the largest non-repayable federal grants available to Manitoba's creative sector. Applicants must demonstrate Canadian ownership and control, significant annual revenue from creative activities, and a detailed international export plan with projected outcomes.
View full program details →PrairiesCan Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP)
Federal GrantPrairiesCan BSP provides large-scale repayable contributions (partial forgiveness available for not-for-profit applicants) to high-growth Manitoba businesses — covering marketing scale-up, productivity investments, technology adoption, and market expansion. The minimum project size is $200,000. At least 50% of total project costs must be co-funded from non-government sources. Stage 1 is an Expression of Interest; Stage 2 is a full application by invitation. Manitoba companies in advanced manufacturing, technology, and agri-food processing are the most common successful applicants.
View full program details →AgriMarketing Program — Core Stream
Federal GrantAgriMarketing Core Stream is for national not-for-profit industry associations, cooperatives, and sector councils — not individual businesses. Manitoba agricultural associations eligible for this stream include Manitoba Pork, Manitoba Canola Growers Association, and the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association. The stream covers international market development activities on behalf of member companies, including trade missions, market research, promotional campaigns, and certification activities targeting export markets. 70% cost-share for Indo-Pacific activities and underrepresented group projects.
View full program details →Complete coverage — everything you need to know about Manitoba marketing grants
Eligibility
Most programs require Manitoba incorporation. Manitoba EDP requires $30K–$50M in annual sales. CanExport SMEs requires 3–500 employees and $300K–$100M revenue. AgriMarketing SME requires under 250 employees and under $50M revenue. PrairiesCan BSP requires 2+ years in operation and 20%+ revenue growth.
Application process
Manitoba EDP: apply online via Province of Manitoba Trade portal before attending the trade show. CanExport SMEs: apply via Global Affairs Canada online portal; contact TCS first. AgriMarketing: apply via the AAFC online portal. PrairiesCan BSP: submit an Expression of Interest to PrairiesCan Winnipeg; await invitation for full application.
Funding amounts
Range from $1,000–$5,000 for local BIZ programs (West End BIZ, Brandon BIZ) up to $2,500,000 for Creative Export Canada Export-Ready Stream and $5,000,000 for PrairiesCan BSP. CanExport SMEs is capped at $99,999 per company per fiscal year.
Deadlines and timing
Manitoba EDP: continuous intake. CanExport SMEs: May 29, 2026 next deadline. AgriMarketing SME: open through 2030. Creative Export Development: annual — expected June 2026. PrairiesCan BSP: ongoing Expression of Interest. Plan for 6–12 weeks from application to approval on most programs.
Grant stacking
Manitoba EDP + CanExport SMEs can stack for the same trade show (different eligible costs). AgriMarketing + CanExport SMEs can stack. Creative Export + Manitoba EDP can stack. Total government funding generally cannot exceed 75–100% of eligible project costs. Confirm stacking rules with each program officer before applying to both.
| Program | Max funding | Best for | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Export — Development | $90,000 (75%) | First-time exporters, <$25M revenue | Annual — June 2026 expected |
| Creative Export — Export-Ready | $2,500,000 | Established exporters with buyer relationships | Ongoing |
| CanExport SMEs | $99,999/year | All sectors including creative | May 29, 2026 |
| Factor | PrairiesCan BSP | CanExport SMEs |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum ask | $200,000 | No minimum |
| Max amount | $5,000,000 | $99,999/year |
| Co-funding required | 50% from non-government sources | 50% cost-share |
| Revenue growth required | 20%+ YoY preferred | No growth requirement |
| Repayable? | Partially (for-profit); non-repayable for non-profits | Non-repayable grant |
| Timeline to decision | 3–6 months (two stages) | 8–12 weeks |
| Combination | Combined potential | Key constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Manitoba EDP + CanExport SMEs | 75% EDP + $50K CanExport | Must cover different eligible costs; confirm with program officers |
| AgriMarketing SME + CanExport SMEs | $100K + $50K | Total gov't funding cannot exceed 75–100% of eligible costs |
| Creative Export Development + Manitoba EDP | $90K + 50% trade show | Creative Export must target a new market; EDP covers event costs |
What's changed in 2026 — Manitoba marketing grants
Manitoba Export Development Program — 2026/27 fiscal year now open. The province confirmed continuous intake for the new fiscal year. Companies that applied in 2025/26 and exhausted their annual attendance limit can apply again for different trade shows in the new fiscal year.
CanExport SMEs — May 29, 2026 deadline approaching. Global Affairs Canada confirmed May 29, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET as the next application window close. Applications already in progress must be submitted before this date. The next window date after May 29 has not been announced.
AgriMarketing Market Diversification — Indo-Pacific priority maintained. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada maintained its 70% cost-share rate (vs. the standard 50%) for export activities targeting the Indo-Pacific region and activities involving underrepresented groups. Manitoba pork, canola, and pulse producers targeting Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asian markets benefit directly from this elevated rate.
PrairiesCan BSP — no programmatic changes confirmed for 2026. The program continues its two-stage Expression of Interest / full application process. PrairiesCan merged CanNor's Prairie operations into a single prairie agency (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) in previous years and the integrated delivery structure remains in place for 2026.
Creative Export Canada — export-ready applications remain open. The Export-Ready Stream (up to $2.5M) is accepting applications on an ongoing basis. The Export Development Stream is expected to open its annual intake in June 2026 based on prior years' cycle.
Common mistakes Manitoba businesses make when applying for marketing grants
- Applying to Manitoba EDP after attending the show. EDP requires pre-approval before the trade show date. Retroactive claims are not accepted.
- Applying to CanExport SMEs for markets the company already sells into. CanExport requires the project to target a genuinely new export market or expand into a substantially new activity in an existing market — not support sales you are already making.
- Submitting a PrairiesCan BSP Expression of Interest without confirmed co-funding. The 50% non-government co-funding requirement is a hard gate — applications without a clear co-funding source are rejected at the EOI stage.
- Conflating AgriMarketing Core Stream (for industry associations) with SME Stream (for individual companies). Individual farm businesses and processors cannot apply to the Core Stream; they must use the SME Stream.
- Applying to ACOA programs for a Manitoba company. ACOA serves Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador). Manitoba companies use PrairiesCan, not ACOA.
- Missing the CanExport Innovation quarterly window. Unlike CanExport SMEs which has published deadlines, CanExport Innovation windows are announced with shorter notice. Sign up for Trade Commissioner Service email alerts to avoid missing the announcement.
- Underestimating the Creative Export annual cycle. Creative Export Development Stream typically runs on a June annual deadline; companies that start their application in May are usually too late to gather the required financial statements, market assessments, and letters of support.
Funding Programs in This Category
Manitoba marketing & growth programs in our database, each with eligibility, funding amounts and how-to-apply detail.