Marketing Assistance

Marketing Assistance helps Prince Edward Island businesses with costs to complete marketing and export plans and activities to accelerate sales and increase their market reach.

Who is eligible for Marketing Assistance?

To be an eligible applicant, a business must be located in Prince Edward Island and:

• be registered to do business, and actively operating, in Prince Edward Island; 
• manufacture, process, or develop goods or services primarily for export; and
• operate within one of these strategic sectors: 
  • aerospace and defence
  • advanced manufacturing and processing
  • bioscience
  • creative and cultural industries
  • information and communications technology
  • renewable energy and clean technology

First-of-its-kind exportable goods or services in other sectors may be considered.

Ineligible applicants include:

A business that has a defaulted outstanding debt obligation on file in the Province’s Central Default Registry is not eligible for Innovation PEI assistance.

New project submissions from an applicant in default on any reporting, project completion or financial obligation to Innovation PEI will not be reviewed until a resolution to the default is reached.

What activities and costs are supported?

An eligible business can access support for eligible marketing activities related to (this list is representative, not exhaustive):

• market research or strategy development;
• design and development of new advertising or promotional materials, including digital content; 
• implement an e-commerce or digital strategy; 
• market investigation, including exhibiting or attending business-identified trade shows or events for up to two participants per event; 
• execute a new export-oriented advertising or promotional campaign; and
• Other

Support for costs directly associated with Innovation PEI Global Trade coordinated activities, such as shows, missions, or business-to-business events, is provided through Export Trade Assistance.

What level of assistance is available?

This program provides up to 40 % of the eligible costs to a maximum of $32,000.  Each business will be permitted up to two applications totaling a maximum contribution of $32,000 over 12 months.

An eligible business may access support for eligible costs related to activities completed before April 1, 2027.

The combined project funding from all non-repayable government sources cannot exceed 75 per cent of eligible costs.

What criteria are used to evaluate funding applications?

Eligible businesses that submit complete applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.  An application is considered to be complete and received when all required information has been submitted to Innovation PEI.

Not all projects meeting the minimum criteria will receive funding.  Applications will also be evaluated using the following considerations:

• potential for long-term viability;
• export sales;
• qualifications and track records of managers;
• import substitution;
• economic benefit to the province;
• availability of program funds;
• employment creation; and
• level of assistance from other government supports offered or available.

The project must provide economic benefit to the province of Prince Edward Island.

Innovation PEI reserves the right to deny a grant application or request for payment if it suspects or detects fraudulent intent. 

Performance Monitoring

Innovation PEI requires acceptance of the full terms and conditions of the assistance at the time of application. The accepted terms and conditions, application, request for payment, and guidelines shall constitute a contract between Innovation PEI and the applicant(s).

How do I apply? 

Innovation PEI encourages potential applicants to consult with an Innovation PEI Business Development Officer for guidance on the suitability of the project and the application process.  If the project is not a good candidate for Marketing Assistance, the Business Development Officer may recommend alternative funding programs that may be available. 

An application must be submitted before any financial or legal commitment is made on the project. 

What do I need to apply?

What do I need to apply?

To complete the application, be prepared to provide detailed business information and supporting documents, including:

• outline the history and describe the business activities;  
• existing businesses will need their most recent comparative Financial Statements; 
• sales and export information
• new businesses will need a completed business plan; 
• description of the proposed project or activity in relation to the products and/or services delivered by the business; 
• detailed description of the economic benefits to the organization and to Prince Edward Island; 
• detailed information on the estimated costs of the proposed project or activity (cost estimates should be supported by written quotations);
• source of funds for the project (for example, lending institutions, banks, government loans and/or grants); and
• explanation of the business's current market position and projected market, outlining any increases in market share.

View the Terms and Conditions