ExportReady Stream - Creative Export Canada

Overview of the ExportReady Stream - Creative Export Canada program:

The Creative Export Canada – Export-Ready Stream is a funding program under the Department of Canadian Heritage designed to support Canadian creative industries as they expand into international markets. This stream targets businesses that are ready to export and have a strong potential to generate international sales and partnerships. It helps cultural entrepreneurs cover a wide range of export-related project costs such as marketing, distribution, translation, attendance at international events, licensing, and more. The program’s primary goal is to strengthen Canada’s cultural brand globally by enabling creative companies to reach new audiences and increase visibility abroad. Eligible sectors include audiovisual, music, books, design, digital media, performing arts, and visual arts. Funded projects must clearly demonstrate their ability to grow international revenue and support business scalability. The program encourages the participation of organizations led by Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, women, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and persons with disabilities. It is highly competitive and prioritizes projects with measurable business outcomes, a clear export strategy, and strong alignment with Canada’s cultural policy objectives.

Benefits of the ExportReady Stream - Creative Export Canada program:

• Covers up to 75% of eligible export-related costs
• Maximum contribution of $90,000 per project
• Helps Canadian creative businesses expand globally
• Supports participation in international trade shows, translation services, marketing, and distribution
• Encourages diversification by supporting underrepresented groups in Canadas creative economy
• Aligns with Canadas cultural export and trade development strategy
• Boosts visibility and international recognition of Canadian cultural products and services

Eligibility criteria of the ExportReady Stream - Creative Export Canada program:

• To be eligible, applicants must:
• Be a Canadian-owned and controlled organization (for-profit or not-for-profit)
• Be active in the creative industries, such as audiovisual, interactive digital media, publishing, music, visual arts, performing arts, fashion, and design
• Be export-ready, with a clear international business development strategy and prior international engagement
• Demonstrate the capacity to complete the project, including financial and operational readiness
• Submit a project focused on international market growth with measurable outcomes
• Be registered in Canada and have a valid business number
• Preference is given to projects promoting equity-deserving groups, such as Indigenous, racialized, women-led, and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations
• Ineligible applicants include individuals, municipalities, and federal, provincial, or territorial governments.