RevUp! Program is now open for submissions.
The deadline to apply is Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
You can download the Guidelines and Schedule of Eligible Project Costs template by clicking the link on the sidebar under Related Documents.
The RevUp! Program supports high-growth Nova Scotia businesses that are ready to enter new markets and overcome immediate barriers to growth.
The Program provides 75% of eligible project costs, up to a maximum contribution of CAD $150,000, to help businesses execute projects that advance their new market entry strategy, including entering new geographic markets outside Nova Scotia or pursuing new national or multinational supply chain opportunities.
Projects may include:
- Addressing certifications, standards or regulatory requirements for a new market
- Addressing intellectual property or legal barriers to market entry
- Implementing product, packaging, or process changes to increase productivity or scale up to serve a new market
- Completing product/packaging development, testing or market validation
- Hiring dedicated expertise to support business scale-up or provide market-specific expertise
- Hiring in-market experts to support business development and navigate a new market
All proposed activities must contribute to one overall new market entry strategy.
Companies must include a statement on the impact the proposed work will have towards the success of their new market entry strategy.
The total project must have a minimum value of $60,000 in eligible costs. Businesses may combine different eligible expenses and service providers within the Program's maximum funding contribution.
Refer to the Program Guidelines for a list of eligible costs and details on new market eligibility requirements.
Eligibility
RevUp! is designed for established, high-growth Nova Scotia small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the resources and strategy to pursue new market opportunities.
Applicants must:
- Be a Nova Scotia-registered business in good standing with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies.
- Have a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia.
- Have most of their workforce residing in Nova Scotia. Some exceptions may apply where the economic benefit to Nova Scotia can be demonstrated.
- Have annual revenues of more than CAD $2 million and at least 15 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs).
- Be engaged in commercial activities outside Nova Scotia and have fully developed products, services, technologies and/or intellectual property that can be sold outside Nova Scotia.
- Have a business plan and strategy for selling products or services in the new market, including the target market or supply chain opportunity, distribution channels, anticipated challenges and how those challenges will be addressed.
- Have no outstanding or pending claims, litigation, injunctions, judgments, orders, or similar legal or administrative proceedings, subject to any applicable exceptions.
- Not be in default of obligations under other financial assistance or incentive programs from Invest Nova Scotia, the Province of Nova Scotia or a provincial agency.
Eligibility is subject to Invest Nova Scotia's assessment of the application and supporting information. The Program utilizes a competitive application assessment process. In addition to meeting baseline eligibility requirements, applications will be assessed and selected for approval based on additional program criteria, as outlined in the Guidelines.
For a full list of businesses not eligible for the program, please find the Eligible Applicants section of the Guidelines.
Consultants and Service Providers
Applicants are responsible for selecting their consultants and service providers and are encouraged to engage Nova Scotian or Canadian businesses wherever possible.
A Statement of Work and evidence of the consultant or service provider's expertise are required where applicable.
Details on requirements for Statements of Work are included in the Guidelines.
Important Dates
The application intake period is from September 1, 2026, to September 23, 2026, at 3:00 PM (ADT).
Only eligible costs incurred after the Letter of Offer/Agreement is signed and before March 31, 2027, may be claimed.
Funding is subject to budget availability. Applications received outside the intake period will not be considered.
Before You Apply
Before submitting an application, businesses should:
- Contact their Regional Business Development Advisor to discuss whether their project aligns with RevUp!
- Develop a clear new market entry strategy and identify the specific barriers the project will address
- Confirm that the proposed project is execution-ready and has defined start and end dates
- Prepare a Schedule of Eligible Project Costs
- Obtain Statements of Work from consultants or service providers, where applicable
- Prepare supporting financial information and cost estimates
There is no application fee for RevUp!.
How to Apply
Connect with a Regional Business Development Advisor to request an application form, confirm eligibility and discuss next steps.
What Happens After You Apply?
Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted using the Program's competitive assessment criteria. Depending on application volume, shortlisted applicants may be invited to meet with a small panel of Invest Nova Scotia staff to present their project and answer questions.
Successful applicants will receive a Letter of Offer outlining the approved eligible project costs, incentive amount, project completion date and reporting requirements.
The Letter of Offer must be signed and returned within 15 business days to become an Agreement.
Project Completion and Claims
The rebate is paid following project completion and submission, review, and approval of all required claim documentation.
There is one claim per approved project. Completed project deliverables must be submitted online within 30 days of project completion.
Contact Us
Have questions about RevUp! or whether your project is a good fit?
Contact your Regional Business Development Advisor to discuss Program alignment and your proposed project.