Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) in British Columbia

• A completed application submitted in the portal
• A completed BSP Use of Canadian Materials and Content Form and BSP Project Cost Detailing Sheet
• A completed BSP Technology Questionnaire for technology commercialization projects
• A business plan, financial statements for at least 2 complete years, and forecasted income statements and cash flow for the project duration
• Written confirmation of funding from all sources, with non-government funding representing at least 50% of project costs

Who is eligible?

• Incorporated high-growth businesses
• For-profit companies incorporated to conduct business in Canada
• Businesses that are scaling and producing innovative goods, services or technologies
• Businesses that have been operating in Canada for at least 2 years
• Businesses with staffed operating facilities in British Columbia

Eligible expenses

• Equipment, machinery, and other capital costs
• Wages and benefits
• Marketing and professional services
• Intellectual property costs
• Technology development and demonstrations

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Basic and applied R&D (Technology Readiness Level 1-6)
• Land and buildings
• Salary bonuses, dividends, entertainment expenses, membership fees, and donations
• Refinancing of existing debts and amortization or depreciation of assets
• Provisions for contingencies, commissions paid to consultants to secure funding, and lobbying activities

• Preference may be given to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with less than 500 full-time employees (FTEs).
• Alignment with BSP program objectives and at least one priority area.
• Clear and lasting economic benefits for British Columbians and Canadians, including significant economic outcomes.
• Clear market demand, defined market size, business potential, and a comprehensive and well-written business plan.
• Strong governance, management capability, financial management, financial capacity, share of private investment relative to government assistance, and project-specific factors such as Use of Canadian Material and Content, technology readiness level, a well-defined IP strategy, or productivity or efficiency savings.

• Review the eligibility requirements.
• Review the Applicant guide and Technical guide.
• Complete the BSP Use of Canadian Materials and Content Form, BSP Project Cost Detailing Sheet, and BSP Technology Questionnaire if applicable.
• Submit an application through the online application portal and select BC (PacifiCan) – Business Scale-Up and Productivity (BSP).

• Applications go through a detailed due diligence and decision-making process, and PacifiCan anticipates funding decisions within approximately 90 business days of receiving a complete funding application.
• As part of the detailed assessment, PacifiCan will require disclosure of pre-existing disbursements to third parties or senior executives and will conduct a credit check.
• For projects developing or commercializing new technology, a technical assessment may be done by the National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP); for clean technology and resource projects, the Industrial Research Assistance Program may be consulted.
• Successful recipients are reimbursed based on claims submitted; claims for incurred costs can be submitted quarterly and are processed within 15 business days of PacifiCan receiving a complete claim.
• Recipients must submit regular progress reports and financial statements throughout the project and until the end of the repayment period, and projects involving physical works may be subject to the Impact Assessment Act (2019).

• PacifiCan may consider an application for suitability and potential funding under other PacifiCan programs, subject to eligibility requirements and available funding.
• Information provided by applicants may be shared with other federal departments and agencies, provincial or territorial governments, and municipal governments to review projects and determine eligibility for other Government of Canada programs.
• Use of Canadian content and materials is not a condition of funding, but depending on the amount of contribution sought it may be considered in assessing the project and may require reporting on progress toward targets.
• Applicants are encouraged to consult a financial advisor about the tax and other implications of BSP funding.