Driving Global Reach: How Export Navigator helps businesses access new markets

The Export Navigator program offers free expert guidance to B.C.-based businesses looking to export to global markets. Since 2016, nearly 900 B.C. businesses, including those owned by Indigenous, women and youth entrepreneurs, have benefited from the program.

The program is a free service providing export education, like free e-courses and seminars, advisory services, and an amazing resource directory linking you to partners like WeBC & SBBC.

Its network consists of community-based export advisors providing one-on-one advice that can help small business owners tap into new international markets.

It also provides inclusive support for underrepresented groups in business, with advisors well-versed in working with entrepreneurs who have diverse identities, as well as specialized services for Indigenous-owned businesses.

How does PacifiCan support Export Navigator?

PacifiCan has been a proud supporter of Export Navigator since 2019 and has partnered with Export Navigator to help businesses grow beyond B.C.

Here are some key points:

A PacifiCan investment of $3.6M over three years will help Small Business BC renew and expand the Export Navigator program to reach more people across B.C.
With this funding, Small Business BC will expand the program to the Lower Mainland, Greater Victoria, and the Sea-to-Sky Region, so more entrepreneurs across the province can now access the program.
Small Business BC will also enhance the program’s support for Indigenous entrepreneurs.

Learn more about PacifiCan’s role in helping businesses grow in international markets: Small Business BC receives over $3.6 million to help grow small businesses beyond B.C. - Canada.ca

How Okanagan Crush Pad leveraged 400 acres and expanded its reach to the UK and Scandinavia

“The Export Navigator Program helped us really identify the markets we were trying to focus on and why those markets were suitable for us. ”
- Christine Coletta, CEO Okanagan Crush Pad

Okanagan Crush Pad opened in September 2011, and today all their vineyards, along with Haywire Winery, are certified organic.

Their wine-making and viticultural philosophy aims to completely redefine the Okanagan organic wine experience.

In addition to practicing organic viticulture, they are passionate about regenerative, mindful farming practices and biodiversity which allows their wines to show the evolving health and vitality of the vineyards in which they are from.