Open
Source verified May 28, 2026
EDC — Inclusive Trade Investments Program
Equity capital for diverse exporters
Offered by
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Opened April 28, 2022
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Canadian exporting businesses owned or led by people identifying as women, Indigenous, Black, or other diverse groups (including LGBTQ2+ or people living with disabilities)
See full eligibility
Overview
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.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Access new markets
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Raising equity funding (from Seed to Series B rounds) to support international growth.
- Expanding commercial revenue with significant export growth potential.
- Involving co-investment or partnership with other venture funds to support further business development.
Documents Needed
- Overview of the company and sector
- Trailing 12 months revenue and run rate
- Transaction term sheet, if available
- Use of proceeds
- Export profile
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian exporting businesses owned or led by people identifying as women, Indigenous, Black, or other diverse groups (including LGBTQ2+ or people living with disabilities)
- Companies demonstrating significant export growth potential
Who is not eligible
- Publicly traded companies
- Distressed companies
- Seed-stage companies without sustained commercial revenue
- Businesses focused on real estate
- Businesses focused on primary resource extraction, alcohol, tobacco, or pharmaceuticals
Eligible geographic areas
- Businesses operating in Canada.
Selection 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
How to apply
- Step 1: Contact EDC
- Speak with EDC to discuss your company and whether the program may be a fit.
- Use the EDC contact channel or phone number provided on the page to start the discussion.
- Step 2: Prepare Information
- Prepare an overview of your company and sector.
- Gather trailing 12 months revenue and revenue run rate.
- Have your transaction term sheet ready, if applicable.
- Document your use of proceeds and export profile.
- Step 3: Discuss with EDC
- Share your business details, funding needs, and growth plans with EDC.
- Provide the information requested by EDC during the review process.
- Step 4: Assessment and follow-up
- EDC reviews the opportunity against its strategic and commercial criteria.
- Wait for further instructions or next steps from EDC.
Processing and Agreement
- EDC reviews opportunities on a commercial basis and in its sole discretion.
- Applications are assessed for fit with EDC strategy and corporate standards, including ESG.
- Investment timelines vary depending on the structure and complexity of the opportunity.
- Applicants may need to discuss their company details directly with EDC before a decision is made.
Additional information
- EDC participates as a co-investor or syndicate partner alongside other venture funds, not as a sole investor.
- Investment decisions are made solely at EDC's discretion based on commercial considerations and alignment with EDC’s strategy and corporate standards, including ESG.
- No grants or subsidies are provided under this program; support is exclusively through equity capital.
- Applicants may be asked for specific information, such as company overview, past 12 months' revenue, term sheet, use of proceeds, and export profile.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the EDC — Inclusive Trade Investments Program Program
What is the EDC — Inclusive Trade Investments Program?
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.
Who is eligible for the EDC — Inclusive Trade Investments Program program?
To be eligible for the EDC — Inclusive Trade Investments Program program, you must:
Canadian for-profit company owned or led at the C-suite level by diverse individuals (e.g., women, Indigenous, Black, racialized peoples, LGBTQ2+, or people with disabilities)
Currently raising or recently raised equity funding (Seed to Series B) to support international growth
Accelerating commercial revenue growth towards $500,000 with significant export potential
What expenses are eligible under EDC — Inclusive Trade Investments Program?
Raising equity funding (from Seed to Series B rounds) to support international growth.
Expanding commercial revenue with significant export growth potential.
Involving co-investment or partnership with other venture funds to support further business development.
Who can I contact for more information about the EDC — Inclusive Trade Investments Program?
You can contact Export Development Canada (EDC) or by phone at 1-800-229-0575.
Where is the EDC — Inclusive Trade Investments Program available?
The EDC — Inclusive Trade Investments Program program is available across Canada.
Is the EDC — Inclusive Trade Investments Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
EDC — Inclusive Trade Investments Program is a Loans and Capital investments
Who are the financial supporters of the EDC — Inclusive Trade Investments Program?
EDC — Inclusive Trade Investments Program is funded by Export Development Canada (EDC)