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.
Manitoba businesses have 8 active marketing and export funding programs in 2026.
Where is your next customer?
Shows what pays at that distance, and what is open today.
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; its 2026-27 intake closed August 31, 2026.
- AgriMarketing SME Stream covers 70% of eligible costs up to $100,000 per project for MB agri-food exporters with fewer than 500 full-time equivalent 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 →Where is your next customer? What pays at each distance
A marketing grant in Manitoba is, in practice, export money. As of October 28, 2026, two programs below serve customers down the street, three pay once the buyer is outside Manitoba, four only outside Canada, and one pays for a foreign buyer's trip here. Tap where your next customer is.
Your sector
Overseas or in the United States, 7 programs pay; elsewhere in Canada, 3; down the street, 2. Every program is listed below; pick a ring to narrow it.
See every Manitoba program your business clears, not only marketing →
Every program, by distance
Down the street
- GrantOpen, membersWest End BIZ Business Development GrantHalf of a marketing, website or ad project, to $1,000 ($3,000 for very large ones). Members only.
- GrantOpen, quarterlyStorefront Success ProgramStorefront work, not ads: to $200,000 for ground-floor storefronts in downtown Winnipeg.
From elsewhere in Canada outward
- GrantOpenManitoba Export Development Program (EDP)B2B trade shows and missions outside Manitoba: 75% back exhibiting, 50% attending, to $20,000 an event.
- GrantOpenAgriMarketing Market Diversification, SME StreamAgri-food, fish and seafood: up to 70% of a new-market project, under $100,000. Interprovincial trade is among its aims.
- LoanOpenPrairiesCan Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP)Interest-free, $200,000 to $5,000,000, up to 50% of a scale-up project that can include entering new markets.
Only outside Canada
- GrantOpen per missionCanExport GAC-Led DelegationsHalf your travel and booth costs on a Trade Commissioner-led mission you were accepted into.
- GrantBetween intakes since Aug 31CanExport SMEsUp to $50,000 a project, half the cost, for a foreign market new to you. Not for agri-food firms.
- GrantBetween intakes since Jul 8Creative Export Canada, Export Development StreamCreative companies under $10 million in revenue: up to $90,000 a year.
- GrantBetween intakes since Jun 10Creative Export Canada, Export-Ready StreamEstablished creative exporters: up to $2,500,000.
The buyer flies to Manitoba
- GrantOpenIncoming Buyer Program (IBP)Half an international buyer's economy airfare and Manitoba hotel, to $5,000, on a first visit.
Left off: CanExport Innovation (research partners, not customers) and AgriMarketing Core (associations only); see all 8 programs.
Sources: gov.mb.ca Export Support Program pages (EDP and IBP), agriculture.canada.ca AgriMarketing SME page and westendbiz.ca grants page, read October 28, 2026; GrantCompass records for CanExport, Creative Export Canada, PrairiesCan BSP and Storefront Success, verified June 24 to October 5, 2026.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 trade shows and missions outside Manitoba, 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 500 full-time equivalent employees. 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; its 2026-27 intake closed July 8, 2026, and the next period will be announced in fall 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.
Is there a grant for digital marketing in Manitoba?
Not for customers you already reach. As of October 28, 2026, no general Manitoba program pays for Google ads, social posts or a new website aimed at your current market, except West End BIZ for members. A digital marketing grant exists in export form: federal programs pay for campaigns in a market new to you.
| Spend | Paid by | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Ads or a website for current customers | West End BIZ, members only: half, to $1,000 or $3,000 | No, unless a member |
| A campaign in a new foreign market | AgriMarketing SME (in-market promotion, social media), Creative Export Canada (advertising to $40,000 a year), CanExport SMEs (materials adapted for that market) | Yes, if the market is new |
| A booth at a B2B trade show outside Manitoba | Manitoba EDP: 75% back for exhibitors, to $20,000 | Yes, even in another province |
CanExport SMEs translates a website you already have but will not build a new one, and the EDP skips virtual trade shows and any marketing materials beyond translation. For software or e-commerce tools, see Manitoba digital grants.
Sources: gov.mb.ca Export Development Program page and westendbiz.ca grants page, read October 28, 2026; GrantCompass records for AgriMarketing SME, Creative Export Canada and CanExport SMEs, verified August 2 to October 5, 2026.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 | Between intakes (closed Aug 31, 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 <500 FTE employees, no sales band | Sept 30, 2030 |
| AgriMarketing Core Stream | $2,000,000/yr; $10M over 5 yrs | National industry associations, cooperatives | Until funds committed; ends Mar 31, 2028 |
| 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 CommerceMarketing help for $5M to $50M companies in Manitoba
Manitoba companies with $5M to $50M in sales can get marketing help from the Export Development Program (to $20,000 a show, $50,000 a year), the Incoming Buyer Program (to $5,000) and CanExport SMEs (to $50,000 a project, between intakes), as of October 28, 2026. The first two take $30,000 to $50,000,000 in sales, CanExport SMEs runs to $100,000,000, and PrairiesCan BSP has no sales band but starts at a $200,000 ask.
| Program | Sales it accepts | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|
| Manitoba EDP | $30,000 to $50,000,000 | Shows and missions outside Manitoba, to $20,000 an event, $50,000 a year |
| Incoming Buyer Program | $30,000 to $50,000,000 | Half a foreign buyer's airfare and hotel, to $5,000 |
| CanExport SMEs | $300,000 to $100,000,000 | Up to $50,000 a project, new foreign market (between intakes) |
| CanExport GAC-Led Delegations | $100,000 to $100,000,000 | Half your costs on a Trade Commissioner-led mission |
| AgriMarketing SME | No sales band in our record | Up to 70% of a new-market project, under $100,000 |
| Creative Export, Development | Under $10,000,000 | Up to $90,000 a year (between intakes) |
| PrairiesCan BSP | No band; 2+ years trading | Loan of $200,000 to $5,000,000, half the project at most |
- Agri-food, fish or seafoodAgriMarketing SME; our record notes agri-food firms are out of CanExport SMEs for 2026-27.
- Over $50,000,000 in salesThe EDP and IBP stop; CanExport SMEs runs to $100,000,000 once it reopens.
Start with the Manitoba EDP's rules and how to apply, or see every option on Manitoba export grants.
Sources: gov.mb.ca Export Development Program and Incoming Buyer Program pages, read October 28, 2026; GrantCompass records for CanExport SMEs, CanExport GAC-Led Delegations, AgriMarketing SME, Creative Export Canada and PrairiesCan BSP, verified July 31 to October 5, 2026.Definitive 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. You can apply after a project starts if the event falls in the current fiscal year (April 1 to March 31); email ExportSupportProgram@gov.mb.ca first.
CanExport SMEs delivers up to $99,999 per company per fiscal year in non-repayable grant funding. Its 2026-27 intake closed August 31, 2026; the next intake period will be posted on the program page when it is available. 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, between intakes since August 31, 2026).
- Is your business in agri-food, fish, or seafood?
- YES, under 500 full-time equivalent employees → AgriMarketing SME Stream ($100K, 70% cost-share). Agri-food companies are excluded from CanExport SMEs for 2026-27.
- 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%). Its 2026-27 intake closed July 8, 2026; the next period will be announced in fall 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 trade shows and missions outside Manitoba. Exhibitors receive up to 75% back; attendees receive 50%. The separate Incoming Buyer Program pays up to $5,000 toward an international buyer's visit. Requirements: Manitoba-based company with annual sales between $30,000 and $50 million. Attending the same trade show more than twice in five years needs new products or new market opportunities to qualify.
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 500 full-time equivalent employees. 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 a maximum of $10 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 fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees. PrairiesCan BSP requires 2+ years in operation and 20%+ revenue growth.
Application process
Manitoba EDP: apply online through the Province of Manitoba; you can apply after a project starts if the event falls in the current fiscal year, so email ExportSupportProgram@gov.mb.ca first. 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: between intakes since August 31, 2026. AgriMarketing SME: open through 2030. Creative Export Development: closed July 8, 2026, next period announced fall 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). Agri-food companies are excluded from CanExport SMEs for 2026-27. 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, up to $10M revenue | Closed July 8, 2026; next period fall 2026 |
| Creative Export — Export-Ready | $2,500,000 | Established exporters with buyer relationships | Ongoing |
| CanExport SMEs | $99,999/year | All sectors including creative | Between intakes (closed Aug 31, 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 | Agri-food firms are excluded from CanExport SMEs for 2026-27 |
| Creative Export Development + Manitoba EDP | $90K + 50% trade show | Creative Export must target a new market; EDP covers event costs |
Open today, between intakes: the programs on this page, October 2026
As of October 28, 2026, by GrantCompass catalogue status, eight programs below take applications and four are between intakes. The list is the page's 8 plus four it adds: the Incoming Buyer Program, CanExport GAC-Led Delegations, West End BIZ and Storefront Success. Every provincial and Winnipeg program is open; the four waiting are CanExport SMEs, CanExport Innovation and both Creative Export Canada streams.
- Manitoba EDPEvents April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
- Incoming Buyer Program2026/27, until funds are fully subscribed.
- AgriMarketing SMETo September 30, 2030, unless funds run out.
- AgriMarketing CoreNational industry associations only.
- PrairiesCan BSPContinuous expression of interest.
- CanExport GAC-Led DelegationsEach mission has its own window.
- West End BIZOngoing, members only.
- Storefront SuccessQuarterly: Sept 30, Dec 31, Mar 31, Jun 30.
- CanExport SMEsClosed August 31, 2026; next intake not yet posted.
- CanExport InnovationOne-day window of September 1, 2026; no next date.
- Creative Export, DevelopmentClosed July 8, 2026; next period to be announced fall 2026.
- Creative Export, Export-ReadyClosed June 10, 2026; our record expects spring 2027.
New here: the Incoming Buyer Program pays half an international buyer's economy airfare and Manitoba hotel, to $5,000, when a decision-maker makes a first visit about your company. It shares the EDP's $50,000 yearly company limit.
West End BIZ also runs a rebate: a member who already finished a marketing project can claim 25% of the cost, to $1,000.
Sources: GrantCompass catalogue status (programStatus), October 28, 2026; gov.mb.ca Export Support Program pages and westendbiz.ca grants page, read October 28, 2026.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 is between intakes. The 2026-27 application period ended at 12:00 p.m. ET on August 31, 2026. Information about future intake periods will be posted on the program page when it is available.
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: both streams are between intakes. The Export-Ready Stream (up to $2.5M) closed its 2026-27 intake on June 10, 2026. The Export Development Stream closed July 8, 2026, and its next period will be announced in fall 2026.
Common mistakes Manitoba businesses make when applying for marketing grants
- Applying to Manitoba EDP after attending the show. Manitoba says you can apply after a project starts only if the event falls in the current fiscal year (April 1 to March 31); email ExportSupportProgram@gov.mb.ca first.
- 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.
Manitoba marketing grant questions
Is there a grant for digital marketing in Manitoba?Export only
Not for customers you already reach. No general Manitoba program pays for ads or a new website aimed at your current market, except West End BIZ for members. AgriMarketing, Creative Export Canada and CanExport SMEs can pay for campaigns in a foreign market new to you.
What counts as market development assistance in Manitoba?Export help
Market development assistance is money that pays part of the cost of selling into a market you do not reach yet. In Manitoba: the Export Development Program for trade shows outside the province, the Incoming Buyer Program for a foreign buyer's visit, and federal programs such as CanExport SMEs and AgriMarketing.
Can I claim a trade show I already went to?Ask first
Not from CanExport SMEs or AgriMarketing, which pay nothing spent before approval or a complete application. Manitoba's Export Support Program says you can apply after a project starts if the event falls in the current fiscal year, April 1 to March 31. Email ExportSupportProgram@gov.mb.ca before counting on it.
Can a Winnipeg shop get a marketing grant for local customers?Rarely
Only in a few places. West End BIZ members get half of a marketing project back, to $1,000 or $3,000. Downtown storefronts can get up to $200,000 from Storefront Success, for the building, not ads.
Are these the same marketing grants offered across Canada?Federal ones
The federal ones are: CanExport SMEs, AgriMarketing and Creative Export Canada take every province. The Export Development Program, Incoming Buyer Program and West End BIZ are Manitoba only.
Federal business funding on record for Manitoba companies
446 companies in Winnipeg are named in federal business-funding records, fiscal 2006 to 2026; 85 of them were funded in fiscal 2025 or later. In Winnipeg the typical company on the record received $75K in total across those years. The record is federal: territorial and provincial programs are not in it.
| City | Companies on record | Typical total per company | Funded since fiscal 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winnipeg | 446 | $75K | 85 |
Data as of July 2026. Covers published federal agreements over $25,000 for the programs we track, in cities with 20 or more named companies; loans and most tax credits are not in it. Each city links to its full list. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Funding Programs in This Category
Manitoba marketing & growth programs in our database, each with eligibility, funding amounts and how-to-apply detail.