How much funding can be received?

Apply online for a business loan of up to $100,000 with flexible repayment terms. Use this financing to supplement cash flow, improve operations, or cover expenses for your small business.

Financing terms and conditions

Loans available for up to $100,000 per project, subject to approval and BDC analysis.
Repayment over 60 months (5 years), with principal payments postponed for the first 6 months—only interest is payable during this period.
No application fees; however, an annual loan management fee of $150 applies after acceptance, and amendments to the loan contract incur a fee of $150 per change.
No penalties for early or lump-sum repayments.

Eligible projects & activities

Expanding cash flow to pursue new business opportunities or address challenges.
Acquiring or upgrading equipment, software, or technology.
Launching or expanding online sales and enhancing digital presence.
Upgrading websites, purchasing inventory, or investing in marketing campaigns.
Covering operational expenses such as payments to suppliers, landlords, or employees.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 75,000

Upgrade office equipment to enhance productivity and operational efficiency

$ 85,000

Purchase inventory to prepare for seasonal demand and prevent stockouts

$ 50,000

Hire a consultant to streamline our supply chain and reduce operational costs

$ 60,000

Run a comprehensive marketing campaign to increase brand awareness

$ 75,000

Upgrade e-commerce platform to expand online presence and increase sales

$ 100,000

Supplement cash flow to maintain operations during the off-peak season

Eligibility criteria of the BDC Financing — Small Business Loan program

The business must be based and registered in Canada.
The business must have been operating and generating revenue for at least 24 months.
Shareholders must have reached the age of majority in their province or territory.
The business must have a good credit history.

Who is eligible?

Canadian-based small businesses operating and generating revenue for at least 2 years

Who is not eligible

Yes, there are certain types of companies that are not eligible for this grant:

Companies that are not based and registered in Canada.
Businesses that have not been operating and generating revenue for at least 2 years.
Firms with shareholders owning 25% or more who do not live in Canada and do not follow specific guidelines.

Eligible expenses

Purchase of equipment, software, or hardware
Website upgrades
Inventory purchases
Marketing campaign expenses
Consulting fees
Supplier payments
Rent payments to landlords
Employee salaries and payroll expenses

Eligible geographic areas

Businesses based and registered in Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the BDC Financing — Small Business Loan program

The evaluation and selection criteria for the BDC’s small business loan involve meeting eligibility requirements and passing the due diligence review.

Canadian-based business with operating revenues for at least 24 months
Company’s shareholders must have reached the age of majority
Good credit history for the company and its shareholders
Completion of the online loan application process
Authorization and consent from required individuals
Provision of necessary business and personal information

How to apply to the BDC Financing — Small Business Loan program

Check Eligibility

Ensure your business is based and registered in Canada.
Verify that you have a good credit history.
Confirm that your business has been generating revenue for at least 2 years.

Prepare Necessary Information

Gather business information as listed in your business registry.
Collect personal and contact details of the company president, board of directors, and shareholders.
Obtain a business void cheque or pre-authorized payment form.
Ensure you have a piece of government-issued photo ID ready.

Create Client Space Account

Visit the BDC website to create a Client Space account.
Follow the instructions to set up the account with a unique email and mobile number for two-factor authentication.

Fill Out Online Loan Application

Log into your Client Space account.
Complete the loan application form with all required information.
Upload necessary documents such as business registry and cheque specimen.

Provide Consents and Verifications

Ensure consents are provided by all shareholders owning 25% or more and a board member.
Complete digital ID verification with a selfie and ID upload.

Submit Application

Review the completed application for accuracy.
Submit the application through your Client Space account.

Await Loan Offer

Check the status of your application in Client Space.
Receive a loan offer if approved.

Accept Loan Offer

Review and accept the loan offer through your Client Space account.
Sign all related documents as prompted.

Receive Funds

After acceptance, funds are disbursed to your business account.

Additional information

The identity verification process requires a selfie and the provision of identification documents in two separate steps to protect privacy.
If a shareholder with 25% or more ownership is not a Canadian resident, an online application is not permitted, but direct support is available.
All shareholders and directors must provide individual consents and create their own separate Client Space accounts for security and transparency.
The digital loan management platform, Client Space, allows applicants to track, manage, and share access to their loan information securely 24/7.

Contact Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

1-800-974-0005

Apply to this program

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