How much funding can be received?

Get a financial contribution to help you scale up and expand, adopt and commercialize innovative technologies and processes, or diversify your markets.

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This grant is available to companies located in specific geographical areas within Canada. The eligible areas for this grant focus on the Prairie provinces to support regional economic development.

Businesses located in Alberta.
Companies based in Saskatchewan.
Organizations operating in Manitoba.

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$350,000

Adopt advanced data analytics to improve customer insights and services

$500,000

Develop a new line of eco-friendly cleaning products for international markets

$450,000

Introduce advanced cybersecurity measures to protect client data

$500,000

Upgrade manufacturing processes by acquiring new robotic assembly lines

$250,000

Expand our market reach by developing an e-commerce platform

$400,000

Develop and commercialize a new eco-friendly packaging technology

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Eligibility for the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Grant requires businesses to meet specific criteria.

The business must be a high-growth, for-profit company scaling up and producing innovative goods, services, or technologies.
The business must be incorporated in Canada.
The business must have been operating for at least 2 years in Canada.
The business must have staffed operating facilities in the Prairie provinces.
At the time of the expression of interest submission, the business must have confirmed funding from all other sources, including government and non-government.
Non-government funding must represent at least 50% of the proposed project costs.
The business must be engaged in one or more of the following activities:
- Productivity improvement (acquiring, adapting, and adopting new technologies and processes, process re-engineering, improving manufacturing capacity)
- Business scale-up (developing or expanding markets, adopting best management practices, processes and systems, developing business opportunities)
- Technology commercialization (growing and diversifying markets through late-stage product development, technology showcasing and demonstration)
The maximum project duration should be 3 years.

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Eligible applicants are high-growth incorporated businesses that are operating in the Prairie Provinces of Canada for at least two years. These businesses must be involved in scaling up and producing innovative goods, services, or technologies. Preference is given to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with less than 500 full-time employees. Additionally, applicants need to have secured at least 50% of their project funding from non-government sources. The projects should aim at improving productivity, scaling up operations, or commercializing new technologies across a defined set of strategic areas such as advanced manufacturing, clean technology, digital industries, health/bio-sciences, and value-added agriculture.

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Based on the BSP program guidelines, there are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant. These include:

Companies that are not incorporated in Canada
Companies that have been in business for less than 2 years in Canada
Companies that do not have staffed operating facilities in the Prairie provinces
Companies that do not have confirmed funding from all other sources, including government and non-government, representing at least 50% of the proposed project costs
Companies that do not fall under the high-growth business category as defined by the program

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This grant supports high-growth businesses in activities that propel productivity, scale-up, and commercialization of technology on the Prairies. Eligible projects focus on improving processes, expanding markets, and commercializing technological advancements.

Acquiring, adapting, and adopting new technologies and processes.
Implementing process re-engineering initiatives.
Enhancing manufacturing capacity to improve productivity.
Developing or expanding markets to support business scale-up.
Adopting best management practices, processes, and systems.
Exploring and developing new business opportunities.
Advancing technology commercialization through late-stage product development.
Showcasing and demonstration of technologies to grow and diversify markets.

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Eligible expenses for the BSP grant are incremental costs essential to the project's success.

Capital costs such as equipment and machinery.
Labour expenses including wages and benefits.
Marketing expenses directly related to the project.
Costs associated with intellectual property.
Technology development and commercial demonstration costs.
Professional, advisory, and technical services costs.

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The evaluation and selection of projects for the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the program's objectives.

Market potential: assessment of the potential demand and commercial viability of the proposed project in the target markets.
Management capability: evaluation of the management team’s experience and ability to successfully execute the project.
Financial capacity: the ability of the organization to support the project financially and ensure its continued success.
Economic benefits: potential impact of the project on the economy, including job creation and revenue growth.
Technology readiness (for technology commercialization projects): appraisal of the project's stage in development and readiness for market introduction.
Departmental/regional priorities: alignment with the strategic goals and priorities set by PrairiesCan and regional needs.

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Here are the steps to apply for the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) grant:

Step 1: Review Eligibility and Criteria
- Ensure your business meets the high-growth definition and other eligibility requirements.
- Align your project objectives with BSP's priority areas and expected outcomes.
- Consult the BSP EOI help guide and the applicant guide for detailed instructions.
Step 2: Contact PrairiesCan
- Reach out to PrairiesCan through one of their local offices to discuss your project and gain insights into the application process.
- Address any preliminary questions or clarifications needed before proceeding.
Step 3: Prepare the Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Gather financial statements for the past 2 years and interim financial statements for at least the last 6 months.
- Compile additional supporting documents such as your business plan and a pitch deck.
- Confirm all funding sources such as bank statements or signed term sheets for third-party funding.
Step 4: Submit the Expression of Interest
- Complete the EOI by using the online portal and submit it alongside required documents.
- Ensure that the application reflects your project’s alignment with BSP strategic objectives.
Step 5: Await Feedback
- Receive feedback within 30 days if your EOI is selected to advance to a full application. If not contacted, assume the project will not proceed further.
Step 6: Full Application Submission (If Invited)
- Prepare a detailed application including a business plan, forecasted financial statements, and a breakdown of project costs.
- Submit the complete application through the online portal as instructed by PrairiesCan.
Step 7: Application Review and Decision
- PRAiriesCan will assess the application’s potential to meet objectives and strategic priorities. Further reviews by NRC-IRAP or Clean Growth Hub may occur if applicable.
- Receive funding decision within approximately 90 business days of a complete application submission.

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There are some additional relevant details for applicants to consider when applying for this grant:

The grant offers interest-free, repayable funding, meaning it must be repaid, but without interest charges.
There is a repayment grace period of one year post-project completion, followed by equal monthly repayments over five years.
Early repayment of the grant is allowed without any penalties.
Applicants are required to demonstrate confirmed funding from non-government sources covering at least 50% of the proposed project costs at the time of EOI submission.
Non-government sources of funding can include current bank statements, confirmed/conditional funding letters, and signed term sheets, but not forecasted revenues or commitments to raise future capital.
The expression of interest (EOI) stage acts as a preliminary filter, with only those advancing being invited to submit a detailed full application.
Applications are assessed not only on eligibility but also on alignment with departmental/regional priorities and economic benefits.
A preference is given to proposals focusing on specific areas such as food and ingredients processing, zero-emission heavy equipment vehicles, and critical minerals processing.

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1-888-338-9378

Apply to this program

Empowering Prairie Businesses Through BSP Funding

The Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program by Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) is a dynamic initiative focused on supporting high-growth businesses in the Prairie provinces. By offering interest-free repayable funding, it aims to advance productivity, scale-up operations, and commercialization of innovative technologies, thereby fostering a robust and inclusive regional economy.

Unlocking Growth Potential with the BSP Program

The Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program is a strategic funding initiative designed to boost the Prairies' economic landscape by empowering high-growth businesses to scale effectively. The program is tailored to accommodate businesses that are not just growing rapidly but are also innovating with their products, services, or technologies. Through the BSP program, PrairiesCan provides up to 50% funding for eligible project costs, ranging from a minimum of $200,000 to a maximum of $5 million, thereby catalyzing growth through substantial financial support.

Beyond financial involvement, the BSP program plays a pivotal role in connecting businesses with key stakeholders and other funding sources, promoting a collaborative atmosphere conducive to sustainable growth. The scope of the BSP’s support extends to several domains, including advanced manufacturing, clean technology, digital industries, health/bio-sciences, and value-added agriculture. This is aligned with PrairiesCan’s commitment to nurturing an inclusive economy focused on sustainable and innovative growth.

The eligibility for the BSP program is clear-cut: businesses must be incorporated in Canada, have operated in the Prairie provinces for at least two years, and demonstrate consistent high growth, preferably 20% year-on-year. Importantly, at the time of application, applicants must verify that at least 50% of their project costs are covered by non-governmental sources, ensuring a balanced investment between public support and private commitment.

One of the standout features of the BSP program is its support for projects aiming at productivity improvements, business scale-up, and technological commercialization. Eligible expenses under these categories include capital investments like equipment and machinery, labour costs, marketing expenses, intellectual property costs, and technical services. However, applicants must be conscious of ineligible costs, which include expenditures not directly tied to the project, such as land acquisition, entertainment, or debt refinancing.

The BSP program demands a rigorous framework for expected outcomes. Applicants are required to quantify their impact in terms of job creation, revenue growth, export sales expansion, and incremental private sector investment, ensuring accountability and the maximization of economic benefits. Furthermore, the program emphasizes inclusivity, urging businesses to engage underrepresented groups such as Indigenous peoples, women, and youth as part of their growth strategies.

Funding through the BSP program is reimbursed based on submitted claims, covering the approved portion of incurred eligible costs. This setup not only ensures that businesses have tangible financial backing for their projects but also aligns public funds with validated expenses, promoting transparency and fiscal responsibility. Post-project, businesses can benefit from a one-year grace period before commencing interest-free repayments over five years, offering a feasible financial transition period.

The application process for the BSP program is efficient and two-staged, beginning with an Expression of Interest (EOI) followed by a full application invitation for promising projects. Businesses are encouraged to prepare comprehensive submissions, including financial statements and detailed business plans, to ensure successful consideration. The BSP program signifies PrairiesCan’s ongoing commitment to fostering an innovative, diverse, and prosperous economy across the Prairie provinces.