Open

BDC Defence Platform

Support for Canadian defence-focused businesses

Offered by

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

Official source: bdc.ca

Source change captured October 13, 2026

Funding available: Varies by project
Deadline: Open continuously
Location: Canada
Who can apply: Canadian businesses in defence; See full eligibility

Overview

BDC’s Defence Platform offers up to $6 billion in support for Canadian businesses in the defence sector. It helps companies scale, diversify, and develop defence or dual-use technologies through financing, advisory services, and investments.

At a glance

Funding available

Varies by project

Financing goals

Increase performance through digital transformation
Develop strategic partnerships
Increase production or service capacity
Develop a new product or service
Conduct research and development activities
Optimize production processes
Strengthen organizational capacity
Strengthen cybersecurity
Access new markets
Start a business
Ensure financial sustainability

Eligible candidates

Location: Canada
Eligible Industries: All industries
Annual revenue: All revenue ranges
Organisation size: All organization sizes
Audience: Startups
Legal structures: For-profit business

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026

Periods: 1

Latest changes

October 13, 2026

StrongNorth Fund form updated

The StrongNorth Fund application form now shows a multi-step submission flow with Previous, Next, and Submit controls across sections.

The StrongNorth Fund form now presents the application as a multi-step process with Previous, Next, and Submit controls shown across sections. The contact information, business information, and fundraising sections are also reordered, and the business phone extension is explicitly marked optional.

Official source: bdc.ca

October 13, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

Canadian businesses in defence
Companies with dual-use technologies
Early-stage technology startups
Businesses in sectors adjacent to defence

Who is not eligible

Businesses without a defence focus or dual-use application
Companies that do not meet the basic BDC requirements of operations and revenue

Eligible expenses

Financing for growth and expansion
Support for diversification into defence markets
Investment in defence-focused or dual-use technologies

Eligible geographic areas

Canada

Activities funded

Scaling operations in the defence sector
Diversifying into defence markets
Developing defence or dual-use technologies
Testing and scaling technologies through ecosystem partnerships

How to apply

Step 1: Confirm eligibility
- Check that your business has a defence focus or dual-use applications.
Step 2: Prepare your materials
- Complete the business information and pitch deck requirements.
Step 3: Submit the form
- Fill out and submit the online contact form.
- Provide the required business and fundraising information.
Step 4: Wait for BDC follow-up
- BDC will review the submission to determine whether there is a potential fit.

Documents Needed

A link to your company’s pitch deck hosted on a secure cloud file-sharing platform

Selection criteria

Defence focus or dual-use application
Potential fit with BDC’s Defence Platform
Complete application package

Processing and Agreement

Applications are reviewed to determine whether there is a potential fit.
Complete pitch decks are required for review.
BDC may support companies through financing, advisory services, or investment if the fit is confirmed.