EDC — Inclusive Trade Investments Program
Canada
Equity capital for diverse exporters
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateApril 28, 2022
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Loans and Capital investments
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Canada
- Export Development Canada (EDC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Canadian exporting businesses owned and led by people identifying as women, Indigenous, Black, and other dimensions of diversity can get help to address the lack of equitable access to capital and create more opportunities for growth.
grant_single_labels|projects
This investment opportunity by EDC is aimed at Canadian companies led or founded by diverse management teams. The companies should be owned and/or strategically led at the C-suite level by diverse persons in Canada.
- Companies must be based in Canada.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$30,000
Establishing export channels for a small bee farm's products
$40,000
Expanding an NPO’s eco-friendly product line to international markets
$50,000
Launch a digital platform to showcase Indigenous artwork internationally
$30,000
Implementing a software solution to streamline export documentation for a financial cooperative
$30,000
Creating a unique Black-owned coffee brand for international markets
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this opportunity is determined by specific requirements related to the company's profile, leadership, and growth potential.
- The company must be Canadian owned and/or strategically led at the C-suite level by diverse individuals, such as women, Indigenous peoples, Black or other racialized peoples, LGBTQ2+, or people living with disabilities.
- Diverse members of the C-suite must have equity ownership that is consistent with other C-suite members.
- The company should have an accelerating commercial revenue growth trajectory towards C$500,000.
- There must be significant export growth potential for the company.
- The company must demonstrate a commitment to establishing a diverse board of directors.
- The company must be raising, or have recently raised, equity funding between Seed to Series B rounds to support international growth.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants are Canadian companies that are either owned or strategically led at the C-suite level by individuals who identify as women, Indigenous, Black or other racialized peoples, LGBTQ2+, or people living with disabilities. Additionally, diverse members of the C-suite must have equity ownership consistent with other C-suite members.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant context does not explicitly list types of companies or industries that are not eligible to apply. As such, no specific exclusions can be identified based on the information provided.
grant_single_labels|criteria
- Company led or founded by women and/or other diverse management teams
- Raising or have recently raised equity funding (Seed to Series B funding rounds)
- Support international growth
- Canadian company owned or strategically led at the C-suite level by diverse individuals
- Diverse members of the C-suite have equity ownership consistent with other C-suite members
- Commercial revenue growth accelerating towards C$500,000 with significant export growth potential
- Commitment to establishing a diverse board of directors
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for EDC investment:
- Step 1: Initial Eligibility Assessment
- Review EDC's requirements and ensure your company meets the eligibility criteria, focusing on diverse leadership and international growth potential.
- Ensure the company demonstrates accelerating commercial revenue growth and significant export growth potential.
- Step 2: Prepare Investment Proposal
- Compile a comprehensive proposal detailing your company’s current financial status, growth strategies, and international ambitions.
- Include information about your diverse management team and board of directors.
- Highlight previous funding rounds and current fundraising status (Seed to Series B).
- Step 3: Submit Proposal to EDC
- Email your investment proposal and any supporting documents directly to EDC or submit through their designated application portal.
- Ensure all documents are formatted as required by EDC’s standards.
- Step 4: EDC Review Process
- EDC will assess your proposal based on its commercial viability, alignment with EDC’s strategy, and adherence to corporate standards including ESG criteria.
- Be prepared to provide additional information or clarifications if requested by EDC during the review process.
- Step 5: Final Decision and Notification
- Receive notification of EDC’s decision regarding your proposal.
- If successful, engage in further discussions to finalize the terms of investment and partnership.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this investment opportunity:
- EDC does not operate as a traditional grants or subsidy provider through its investment program, so applicants should focus on capital funding strategies rather than expecting non-repayable support.
- EDC’s involvement as an investor or syndicate partner may open doors to international markets, leveraging EDC's global connections and expertise.
- Investments are assessed individually, emphasizing a personalized approach to each proposal, which may involve discussions specific to aligning with EDC's strategic goals.
- The decision-making process for investment includes a thorough evaluation of the company's fit with EDC's ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards, highlighting the importance of sustainable and responsible business practices.
Apply to this program
An Opportunity for Diverse Leadership to Access International Growth Support
This funding initiative by EDC supports Canadian companies with diverse leadership teams who are keen on global expansion. It facilitates co-investment with established venture funds, fostering equity funding opportunities for businesses seeking to scale internationally.
Detailed Insights into EDC's Equity-Co-Investment Framework
The Export Development Canada (EDC) equity co-investment initiative is uniquely positioned to back Canadian businesses with diverse leadership as they navigate the complexities of international market expansion. This initiative is not a grant or subsidy program but instead offers participation on commercial terms. By stepping in as a co-investor or syndicate partner, EDC creates pathways for eligible businesses to bolster their finances through Seed to Series B funding rounds, thereby empowering them to achieve their export growth aspirations.
To qualify for this opportunity, a company must exhibit strong leadership diversity, with executive teams composed of women, Indigenous peoples, Black or other racialized peoples, LGBTQ2+, or individuals living with disabilities. This reflects a broader commitment by EDC to not only catalyze growth but also to champion inclusivity within the economic landscape. Importantly, these diverse representatives should have equity ownership comparable to their peers within the C-suite, underscoring the program's dedication to genuine leadership equity and inclusion.
A pivotal aspect of this program is its expectation for significant commercial revenue progression, setting an ambitious trajectory towards achieving revenues of C$500,000. The emphasis is placed on the company's potential for export growth, which is critical for EDC's mission to drive Canadian companies into international markets. Participating companies are assessed rigorously, with evaluations aligned to EDC's strategic mandates and corporate standards, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. This means investing not only in financially viable businesses but also in those that align with broader societal values.
In addition to emphasizing diversity at the executive level, EDC encourages recipients of its co-investment to establish a board of directors that reflects a similar commitment to diversity. The strategic inclusion of varied perspectives at the board level is seen as essential not just for governance but for unlocking further market insights and achieving more sustainable business outcomes.
The overarching aim of EDC's co-investment strategy is to ensure the Canadian business landscape is reflective of the nation's diverse population, while simultaneously enhancing its global competitiveness. This initiative supports burgeoning enterprises by reducing funding gaps and providing them with the necessary capital to explore, enter, and prosper in international arenas. Through strategic partnerships with other venture capital entities, EDC ensures that the financial support extended under this program is robust and tailored to facilitate sustainable scale-up and export growth.
In essence, EDC's co-investment approach is a contemporary framework that acknowledges the multifaceted challenges diverse-led companies face in securing capital while providing them with a viable path to overcome these hurdles. By aligning equity investment with diversity and strategic growth, this initiative serves as a catalyst for transforming the Canadian economic environment into one that is inclusive, innovative, and internationally oriented. EDC's role as a co-investor is not only about financial growth but also about fostering a more inclusive business ecosystem that reflects the dynamic and multicultural fabric of Canada.
