Many Canadian businesses want to export but don’t know where to look for real leads. Federal export portals and marketplaces solve this by pulling government-backed opportunities into one place. These tools are free, updated often, and designed to match your business with export-ready programs, buyers, and events across global markets.
Federal export portals are online platforms supported by the Government of Canada and its partners. They do not usually give you money directly. Instead, they help you find export opportunities faster by connecting you to programs, advisors, and international buyers.
One of the main federal tools in this space is the Magnet — Export Business Portal.
The Magnet — Export Business Portal is a federally supported platform that helps Canadian businesses discover export-related opportunities in one place.
Key facts:
Magnet acts as a matching engine. You create a profile, and the system recommends relevant export programs, trade missions, advisory services, and events based on your business details.
Using tools like Magnet, you can access:
Magnet does not issue grants. Instead, it helps you identify which export funding or support programs you should look at next.
Here’s how to use a federal export portal effectively without wasting time.
Magnet matches opportunities based on your inputs. Be specific about:
The more accurate your profile, the better the recommendations.
Export opportunities change often. Trade missions, deadlines, and advisory programs rotate throughout the year. Set a weekly reminder to log in and review new matches.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can also help you filter export-related programs by province and industry in seconds, especially when you move from discovery to funding.
Federal export portals are a starting point. Once you find an opportunity:
Magnet’s role is discovery, not application management.
Federal export portals like Magnet do not pay funding directly. They point you to programs that might. Treat them as a research and matching tool.
Generic profiles lead to poor matches. If you sell specialized products or services, say so. Specific profiles get better results.
Some opportunities assume you already have pricing, logistics, or compliance figured out. Review requirements before committing time.
Export portals are dynamic. One login per year means missed opportunities. Regular checks matter.
Q: What is the Magnet Export Business Portal?
Magnet is a federally supported portal that matches Canadian businesses with export opportunities, events, and support programs. It helps you discover resources but does not provide funding directly.
Q: Is the Magnet Export Business Portal free to use?
Yes. There is no cost to create a profile or view matched opportunities.
Q: Does Magnet offer grants or funding?
No. Magnet does not provide grants. It helps you find other government or partner programs that may offer funding.
Q: Who can use federal export portals like Magnet?
They are open to Canadian businesses of all sizes, including startups and early-stage exporters.
Q: How does Magnet match my business to export opportunities?
Matches are based on factors like your sector, location, export readiness, and growth goals.
Federal export portals and marketplaces are one of the fastest ways to see what export support exists for your business right now. Once you identify relevant opportunities, the next step is checking which ones also offer funding or cost-sharing.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and support programs across Canada — check which ones match your business profile and export goals.
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