What is the TAP?
The Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) is designed to support Québec start-ups and SMEs in developing a solid export strategy.
Each TAP cohort is made up of around 15 companies. Some cohorts are multisectoral, while others focus on a specific sector. Sectors represented include cultural and creative industries, technology, manufacturing, agri-food and aerospace.
We offer the free services of an experienced team of consultants specialized in marketing, sales, finance, logistics, customs and intellectual property to help you develop your international business plan.
TAP objectives:
Elaboration
Quickly elaborate your business plan to implement your export strategy in just a few weeks.
Development
Develop your internal roadmap to better anticipate risks (customs, financial).
Structuring
Structure your business strategy, seek funding and integrate your new resources.
Participation
Join a cohort of about 15 companies with which you can share your issues, challenges and experiences.
Dates of the next cohorts
Cohorts in Greater Montréal |
Cohort 50 |
Montréal |
Starting October 9, 2024 |
Manufacturing |
FULLY BOOKED |
Cohort 51 |
Montréal |
Starting November 5, 2024 |
Agrifood |
FULLY BOOKED |
Cohort 52 |
Montréal |
Starting January 22, 2025 |
Multisector |
IN-PERSON |
Cohort 53 |
|
Starting January 28, 2025 |
Technologies |
IN VIRTUAL |
Cohort 54 |
Montréal |
Starting February 4, 2025 |
Aerospace/Aeronautics |
IN-PERSON |
Cohorts outside Montréal |
Cohort 48 |
Lanaudière |
Starting September 25, 2024 |
Multisector |
FULLY BOOKED |
Cohort 49 |
Québec |
Starting October 23, 2024 |
Multisector |
FULLY BOOKED |
Format du PAC
6 weeks
DAY 1 – Training (week 1)
International resources / Strategy
DAY 2 – Training (week 1)
Finance and legal, tax environment / Marketing
JDAY 3 – Training (week 2)
Logistics, supply chain / International sales
DAY 4 – Mid-term follow-up meeting (week 3)
(30 minutes, virtual)
Hand in export plan with deadline (week 4)
(no meeting)
Export plan review by the TAP team (week 5)
(no meeting)
Feedback meeting to round off the TAP (week 6)
(1 hour, virtual)
*After the last feedback meeting, the TAP offers companies a 30-minute one-on-one meeting with each program expert or speaker.
Days 1, 2 and 3 are full days.
8 weeks
DAY 1 – Training (week 1)
Strategy and planning
DAY 2 – Training (week 1)
Legal and tax environment
DAY 3 – Training (week 2)
Organizational and logistics management
DAY 4 – Training (week 3)
International finance
DAY 5 – Training (week 4)
Digital marketing strategy
DAY 6 – Training (week 5)
International sales
DAY 7 – Training (week 5)
International resources and activation
Mid-term follow-up meeting (weeks 3 to 5)
(30 minutes, virtual)
Hand in export plan with deadline (week 6)
(no meeting)
Export plan review by the TAP team (week 7)
(no meeting)
Feedback meeting to round off the TAP (week 8)
(1 hour, virtual)
*After the last feedback meeting, the TAP offers companies a 30-minute one-on-one meeting with each program expert or speaker.
Days 1 to 7 are half-days.
The TAP’s positive impact
Key figures*
31 %
Average growth in export sales one year after the program
Close to
98 %
of participants have increased confidence because they were better prepared
* Data collected from 104 companies participating in the 2022–2023 TAP program across Quebec.
Testimonials from participating companies
Renée Villemaire
Senior Director, National and International Business Development
GSI MUSIQUE
“ The TAP played an essential role when our company, Gestion Son Image Iinc. started building a strategy for its international expansion. Thanks to this program, our team has been able to better define its objectives and implement a realistic and coherent long-term development plan.
Expert advice, particularly on public funding, tax and legal issues, as well as one-to-one support, helped us resolve crucial questions before going any further in our internationalization process.
We also appreciated participating in a cohort specifically focused on the cultural and creative industries, which matched our particular needs and reality.”
Marie-Eve Gaudet
CEO and co-owner
Anhydra
“The TAP consolidated what we had already established and met our essential needs before we started exporting. The training was very useful and practical. The speakers were experienced and relevant.”
Pascal Cermak
Sales and Marketing Director
LR-TEK
“ Thanks to the TAP, we’ve become aware of the opportunities, but above all, of the concrete challenges that we’re going to face in our international roll-out.
Given the inherent risks associated with our export project, the structured training and competent, experienced speakers helped us to be better prepared.”
Mario Genest
CEO
AYE3D - Dedicated to the 3D experience
“Although exports already represent the majority of our revenue, we needed to gain a better understanding of all facets of successful exporting. The Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) helped us structure our approach by anticipating the efforts and difficulties entailed in the regulatory, tax-related, legal, logistical and commercial aspects of exporting. Throughout the program, highly skilled and accessible TAP experts answered our questions and helped us assess the challenges ahead and clarify our international products and services!”
Guyaume Parenteau
Co-founder
Wabasso Distillery
“I don’t believe in the self-made man: it is through validation and co-development that we succeed in excelling and creating synergy to surpass ourselves. TAP is a success because of its practical resources and experienced speakers, provided you take the time to invest in the learning process.”
Mouna Andraos
Co-founder and Co-director
Daily tous les jours
“According to Ms. Andraos, everyone would benefit from participating in this type of program: “The right time to do it is right away, as soon as you have an export project, even if you don’t have a contract yet. The program provides access to a lot of resources from varying backgrounds, and it’s nice to know about them early on.”
Evgeny Grachev
COO and Co-founder
Leav
“The TAP gave us an overview of best practices for exporting and an in-depth understanding of the tools and resources available to incorporate them into our business strategy.
All of the expertise shared during the program has made us more aware of the impact that exporting will have on our business model and has better prepared us to anticipate it in our sales process.”
Benoit Gendron
CEO and Co-founder
Latence Technologies
“The TAP was a valuable source of support in our strategic analysis for LatenceTech’s international expansion, particularly in Europe and Asia. Over the course of the program, we assessed the current situation, set clear objectives and drew up a short- and medium-term action plan to achieve them. We’re already seeing positive results, with the first orders coming in from Europe, in particular from Orange and Capgemini.”
Frantz Roc
CEO
CaniSource
“The TAP has been a key element in refining our approach to export projects, while giving us a better understanding of best practices and potential risks.
The program’s configuration is suitable for companies of all sizes and types. Participants learn from experts and from the international experience of other companies on the program.
The program’s extensive access to external resources is another of its advantages, which remain relevant even after the TAP has ended.”
Christian Cossette
President
CO7 Technologies
“I would recommend the TAP to my network. The exposure to my cohort’s wide range of industries was useful in developing my strategy and export plan.”
Marie-Josée Racine
Director of Administration and Finance
Vera Inkjet
“Our participation in the TAP was very beneficial for our company. The numerous specialized speakers were particularly helpful and gave us invaluable advice on exporting, financing and tax issues. What’s more, our interactions with participating manufacturing companies were very enriching!”
Brice Salmon
Vice-President
Baltic Club
“I would recommend the TAP as a great way to meet a host of professionals in financing, logistics, production, etc. In just a few weeks, the training sessions helped us clarify the steps and decisions required in order to begin exporting.”
Marie-Claude Desjardins
COO
Hardware Rebels
“I would recommend the TAP to help you think through all the aspects of your export plan and benefit from useful interactions with manufacturing companies. Our participation in the TAP helped us obtain financial assistance for our website, as well as training in legal and copyright issues!”
Jean-Pierre Girard, Eng.
President
HEXACODE Solutions
“Our company participated in the TAP training program as part of the 43rd cohort, dedicated to technology. The way the courses are run, the subjects covered and the quality of the instructors make this program an essential preparatory step for any company wishing to develop international business activities.”
Marie-Ange Adousso
ARCHITECT, OAQ, AAPPQ
LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE
MA-Architecte inc.
“My participation in the 47th cohort of the TAP program for the creative industries was rewarding and helped me mature my project to export design services to France. At the outset, I had a very broad idea, but as I moved forward with the help of experts, speakers, trainers and a former participant, I was able to refocus my export strategies and vision. The result is an export plan that I’m proud of and happy with!
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this first draft.”
Caroline Fortin
Co-founder and CEO of Agence ÉZÉ
“As an entrepreneur, participating in the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) helped me make profound changes to my business. It enabled me to build key relationships with other entrepreneurs and experts in the industry, which opened up new business opportunities.
I gained a deeper understanding of foreign markets and learned how to tailor my strategies accordingly. In addition, the logistical support for accessing international markets was extremely valuable. Thanks to this experience, I feel ready to explore new horizons. I highly recommend this program for any business looking to expand internationally.”
Caroline Tremblay
Finance Director
Business Developpement and Marketing assistant
“We had the privilege of participating in the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP), which was an extremely rewarding experience for our business. The program was well organized, with knowledgeable experts to guide us through the key areas of developing our business.
The insights we gleaned from the program have been beneficial for our current market and will serve us well in our future projects. Our hard work in the program has paid off, having received national recognition from the Toronto Region Board of Trade for our performance as an exporter.
We’re very grateful for this opportunity and strongly recommend the TAP for any business looking to go international.”
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How to take part in the TAP
Eligibility criteria*
Generate sales of at least $500k
Be incorporated in Quebec and in business for two years
Designate one or two senior representatives to participate in the program
* The WTCM reserves its right to accept or reject any company, whether it meets the above criteria or not.
Take action
Need more information before registering? Contact us.
Would you like to participate? Register.
Register
Contact-us
Learn more about the TAP
As of 2019, the TAP is:
- Deployed throughout Quebec thanks to some fifty multisector and specialized cohorts.
- More than 600 companies trained and having submitted a draft export plan.
A program developed by the World Trade Centre Toronto and the Toronto Region Board of Trade.
Free program
The TAP in action
Photo credits: Jérémy Dumon
The TAP in videos
Find out more about the TAP by watching this short video.
Enjoy access to training to equip your company, support in developing your international strategy, and expert mentoring to test your strategy.
Dodji Koffi, VP, MTL B-Board
Gilles Hafiz, Business Development, RAMO
Kim B. Deland, Co-founder and designer, Lithologie Inc.
Benoit Martin, VP, Business Development, Ver-Mac
Alexandre Bérard, President, UGroupMedia
Nicolas Roy, President and Creative Director, DPT
Our experts
Ophélie is an all-round expert, with significant experience in various sectors such as retail and agri-food.
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With a wealth of experience in business support and customer service, Samira is your trusted partner for meeting your international business objectives.
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Alice is an upbeat, energetic professional who capitalizes on her cultural experiences and passions in her role as TAP Advisor for the Acclr Business Services
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Patricia is an experienced and dedicated advisor at the Acclr Business Services, where she puts her skills to use supporting companies in their internationalization projects.
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