LearnSphere, a program that has helped small businesses in New Brunswick to export for 14 years, is now being rolled out across Atlantic Canada.

With new funding from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the organization said Tuesday as much as $2.2 million is now available across Atlantic Canada to help small- and medium-sized businesses expand their exports.

LearnSphere’s Export Market Access Program and E-Tools for Exporting Program have been successfully supporting New Brunswick’s export businesses since 2003 and the funding is now being rolled out to eligible businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Whether it’s to export seafood or technology solutions, SMEs can access up to $15,000 through two programs – for a total of up to $30,000 – to expand or launch their export business. The funding can be used for help with research, planning, sales, or digital marketing. To be eligible, SMEs need to be currently exporting or export-ready within the next six to nine months.

“We are thrilled to be able to launch this funding across Atlantic Canada,” said LearnSphere CEO Annette Comeau in a statement. “The region has so much to offer. We want to see Atlantic Canadian exports continue to thrive, and economic growth to be realized here.”

She added the Atlantic Growth Strategy aims to double the number of exporters in the Atlantic region by 2025, and LearnSphere said this funding can help more than 180 companies to reach those export goals.

Moncton-based Smart sensor manufacturer Masitek accessed $30,000 in 2016. With it, the company developed a new social media strategy, and re-branded its website. It also accessed funding to help with lead generation in its identified target markets.

“The LearnSphere programs have helped Masitek’s export business to grow exponentially,” said CEO Tracy Clinch in the statement. “We accessed two programs through LearnSphere, and those programs enabled us to build a dynamic website to reach customers in markets where we never would have been able to before.”

The application process is designed to be quick and easy to access, with fast turnaround times on both the application and reimbursement of funds.