Services
Expertises
Resources
Who we are
Factory modernization and equipment

Fund equipment purchases and factory modernization

Planning to buy machinery, add a production line, expand a facility, or reorganize operations? helloDarwin helps you define the investment, quantify productivity gains, and identify grants, tax credits, and financing options that fit the project. Because many programs require an application before a purchase order is signed or work begins, timing matters.
Manufacturing team inspecting modernized production equipment
Turn a capital investment into a fundable project
Funders assess more than the equipment invoice. They look for a structured project, measurable business outcomes, credible costs, and a schedule that respects program rules.
Machinery and production equipment
Plan the purchase or integration of machinery, robotics, packaging, processing, handling, or quality-control equipment. Include installation, commissioning, training, and related technology when eligible.
Factory expansion and operational layout
Frame renovations around operations: added production space, a new line, better workflow, compliance, storage, ventilation, or utilities needed to increase capacity. Cosmetic work alone is rarely a strong funding case.
Productivity gains and financing plan
Document the current bottleneck, baseline capacity, labour impact, production gains, budget, supplier quotes, and schedule. These facts help identify grants, tax credits, loans, or investment programs that may fit.

Funding programs can support the investment

Depending on province, sector, business size, and eligible costs, a project may combine grants, tax credits, and loans. These examples show different routes; verify current eligibility before confirming a purchase or construction schedule.

Accepted funding applications for equipment and factory modernization

See how established businesses have financed machinery, production capacity, facility upgrades, and productivity projects through grants, tax credits, and loans.
Accepted$100K-$250K
2026
Manufacturing

BDC Financing — Equipment Purchase Loan

Automation to increase operational capacity

Accepted$1M+
2026
Manufacturing

Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) — Capital Investment Projects

Digital transformation to improve efficiency

Accepted$500K-$1M
2026
Manufacturing

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces

Operational modernization with new tools

Accepted$500K-$1M
2026
Manufacturing

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia

Operational modernization with new tools

Accepted$50K-$100K
2026
Manufacturing

Défi-Québec, an entrepreneurial city

Operational modernization with new tools

Accepted$100K-$250K
2025
Manufacturing

Business Growth — Productivity and automation

Digital project to structure growth

Accepted$100K-$250K
2025
Manufacturing

Capitale-Productivity

Operational modernization with new tools

Accepted$1M+
2025
Manufacturing

Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) Program

Operational modernization with new tools

Accepted$250K-$500K
2025
Manufacturing

REGI — Business Scale-up and Productivity — CED (QC) – Private sector

Digital transformation to improve efficiency

Accepted$100K-$250K
2025
Manufacturing

MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 2

Operational modernization with new tools

Accepted$100K-$250K
2025
Manufacturing

ESSOR – Component 2: Support for investment projects promoting productivity and business expansion

Digital transformation to improve efficiency

Accepted$10K-$25K
2025
Manufacturing

ESSOR – Component 1A: Support for investment projects (feasibility studies)

Operational modernization with new tools

Frequently asked questions

Need help determining what applies to your investment? Talk to an expert and clarify the next step before committing to costs.

What equipment purchases and factory work may be supported?

Depending on the program, eligible costs may include machinery, production lines, robotics, processing or material-handling equipment, certain expansion or compliance work, installation, and training. Eligible expenses, business sectors, regions, and project start dates vary by program, so each cost must be checked against the current rules.

Why should funding be checked before ordering equipment?

Many programs consider the date of the purchase order, contract, deposit, or start of work. A cost committed too early may become ineligible. Verify the rules and application schedule before authorizing the purchase, even when the investment has already been budgeted or approved internally.

Which numbers strengthen a factory modernization project?

Document current and target capacity, cycle time, reject rates, downtime, labour requirements, energy use, projected sales, jobs, project costs, supplier quotes, and the implementation schedule. Use the measures that reflect the actual business case rather than adding unsupported projections solely for the funding application.

Can a general factory renovation receive funding?

Purely cosmetic renovations are rarely the strongest funding angle. Work may be more relevant when it is necessary to add production capacity, install technology, improve energy performance, meet health or regulatory standards, or reorganize operations. Separate building costs from equipment costs and document the operational result of each expense.

How does helloDarwin support this type of investment?

We clarify the project scope, costs, schedule, and expected business results. We then identify relevant programs, prioritize the most credible routes, and help prepare the funding plan and applications. Eligibility and approval always depend on the current program rules and the strength of the submitted project.