Nova Scotia's Export Development Program Can Fund Your Website, Branding, and Marketing - Here's How

If your Nova Scotia business is looking to grow outside the province, there's a government program worth knowing about — and it can cover a significant portion of the cost of work you might already be planning.

The Export Development Program (EDP), offered through Invest Nova Scotia, provides financial incentives to help Nova Scotia businesses increase their sales outside the province and improve their competitiveness in outside markets. Eligible businesses can receive up to $15,000 CAD to offset the cost of qualifying projects.

And yes — website work, rebranding, and promotional materials are explicitly listed as eligible expenses.

What Is the Export Development Program?

The EDP is designed for Nova Scotia businesses that are actively exporting — or planning to — and need support to overcome the barriers that come with growing into new markets outside the province.

The program has two funding streams:

Stream 1 — Travel, Trade Shows & Conferences This stream covers costs like travel to visit clients or partners outside Nova Scotia, participation in trade shows or conferences, and hosting first-time visits from outside clients or investors to your Nova Scotia facilities.

Stream 2 — Hire a Consultant or Service Provider This is the stream most relevant to businesses thinking about their digital presence. It covers the cost of hiring expert help to sell your products or services outside Nova Scotia. That includes:

• Market research
• Business matchmaking
• Rebranding your company logo
• Developing new promotional materials
• And much more

In other words, if you need a new brand identity, a professionally designed website, or marketing materials built to help you reach customers outside Nova Scotia, this funding can help cover the cost.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for the EDP, your business must:

• Be a registered Nova Scotia business in good standing
• Have a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia
• Have the majority of your workforce residing in Nova Scotia
• Be currently exporting — or have clear, imminent plans to do so — with a fully developed product, service, or technology ready for outside markets
• Have a business plan and strategy for selling outside Nova Scotia

The program is open to small, medium, and large businesses across a wide range of sectors including technology, agri-food and beverage, advanced manufacturing, clean technology, ocean technology, seafood, and more.

Important Dates

The EDP is currently open. Applications for projects completed between April 1 and June 30, 2026 are open until June 12, 2026. Details on the next application window (for projects completed between July 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027) will be shared as they become available.

If you're thinking about applying, now is the time to move — the current window closes soon.

How Boreal Digital Can Help

We work with Nova Scotia businesses on exactly the kinds of projects that qualify under EDP Stream 2 — website design and development, branding and logo design, digital marketing strategy, and the creation of professional promotional materials.

If you're planning to grow your business beyond Nova Scotia and want to use EDP funding to help cover the cost of building a stronger digital presence, we can help you make the most of it. We'll work with you to develop the deliverables you need and ensure the work aligns with your export goals.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to talk through your project and how we can help you put this funding to work.

For full program details and to apply, visit the Export Development Program page on the Invest Nova Scotia website.