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LIFT (Lead with Innovation and Focus on Technology) is sponsored by Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). The LIFT initiative by BDC aims to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses adopt AI solutions to boost productivity and compete in a demanding economy.
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BDC LIFT — Lead with Innovation and Focus on Technology — Eligibility, Funding & How to Apply | GrantCompass Updated April 2026 · Verified against Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) guidelines BDC LIFT — Lead with Innovation and Focus on Technology Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Loans $25,000 to $5,000,000 (flexible...
Continuous intake — apply anytime Visit Official Program → BDC LIFT — Lead with Innovation and Focus on Technology provides up to Loans $25,000 to $5,000,000 (flexible terms; principal postponement up to 24 months) April 24, 2026 with a $500M envelope targeting 1,000+ Canadian SMEs, LIFT pairs flexible-rate BDC loans with mandatory or optional advisory services across two pathways: Digital Transformation & AI (data infrastructure, ERP/CRM, Canadian AI tools, cybersecurity — minimum $1M annual revenue, mandatory BDC Advisory Services plan) and Productivity & Advanced Equipment (automation, robotics, machinery — minimum $5M annual revenue, optional advisory).
Applications are accepted Continuous intake — apply anytime .
(As of April 2026, verified against Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) program guidelines) What this program funds and who can apply Launched April 24, 2026 with a $500M envelope targeting 1,000+ Canadian SMEs, LIFT pairs flexible-rate BDC loans with mandatory or optional advisory services across two pathways: Digital Transformation & AI (data infrastructure, ERP/CRM, Canadian AI tools, cybersecurity — minimum $1M annual revenue, mandatory BDC Advisory Services plan) and Productivity & Advanced Equipment (automation, robotics, machinery — minimum $5M annual revenue, optional advisory).
Loans range $25K to $5M with the option to postpone principal payments for up to two years. Replaces the BDC Data to AI Program (December 2024 launch, see catalog ID 473).
Canadian SME (Small or Medium Enterprise) with operations in Canada Digital Transformation & AI track: minimum $1M annual revenue (mandatory BDC Advisory Services plan) Productivity & Advanced Equipment track: minimum $5M annual revenue (optional BDC Advisory Services support) Equipment track sectors: Manufacturing, Transport and warehousing, Wholesale, Construction, Agriculture/forestry/fishing/hunting, Architectural/engineering services, Mining/quarrying/oil and gas Demonstrated ability to service the loan (BDC's standard credit assessment) Commitment to use Canadian technology and equipment suppliers qualifies for preferential financing rates Loans $25,000 to $5,000,000 (flexible terms; principal postponement up to 24 months) Up to 100% of eligible costs Continuous intake — apply anytime Competition, effort, and approval at a glance See how this program compares on approval odds, difficulty, and competition — so you know if it’s worth your time.
Know your real odds before investing 40+ hours Approval likelihood, realistic amounts, competition level, and what winners look like Consultants charge $500–$2,000 per program. This Playbook is $19. Unlock this Playbook — $19 One-time · Yours forever · Instant access Everything you need to win BDC LIFT — Lead with Innovation and Focus ...
— $19 Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
6-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking 7-step application timeline with prep hours per step Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners 4-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on Consultants charge $2,000–$5,000 per program. This Playbook is $19. Yours forever.
Unlock this Playbook — $19 Applying for BDC LIFT?
Most founders end up needing more than one template — grab the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27 vs separate) → Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like If you're under $5M revenue, route through the Digital Transformation & AI track — the $1M minimum is much more accessible than the Equipment track's $5M floor, and the mandatory advisory engagement (which adds cost) often unlocks better terms because BDC has already de-risked the project.
Source as many components as possible from Canadian suppliers — the preferential rate incentive is real and meaningful over a 5-7 year amortization. Postpone principal payments for the first 12-24 months to align cash flow with the productivity uplift the project is supposed to deliver.
Ask your BDC advisor to model the LIFT loan against any existing BDC term loans you have — restructuring older debt into the LIFT envelope can sometimes reduce blended cost of capital. See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it.
A mid-size Canadian SME ($2-25M revenue) in manufacturing, agriculture, transport, or professional services that is ready to invest $250K-$2M in a Canadian-supplier digital or equipment upgrade.
The company has a clear productivity hypothesis (e.g., 'this AI tool will cut order-processing time 40%' or 'this robotic cell will let us run a third shift without hiring'), can service the loan from existing cash flow, and is comfortable working alongside a BDC advisor. Particularly well-suited to first-time AI adopters that want a guided path rather than open-ended self-directed adoption.
See what successful applicants for this program actually look like. BDC evaluates LIFT applications on (1) revenue floor for the chosen track, (2) project alignment with eligible categories, (3) credit health and cash-flow capacity to service the loan, (4) clarity of the productivity or AI adoption hypothesis, and (5) commitment to the advisory engagement (AI track).
Preferential rate eligibility is assessed separately based on Canadian supplier sourcing. See exactly what reviewers score on — so you know where to focus. Don’t waste 25 hours on a preventable rejection Common rejection pitfalls, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on Paid grant writers quote $2,000–$5,000 per program.
Start with the $19 Playbook first. Unlock this Playbook — $19 One-time · Yours forever · Instant access Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses Submit online financing request Begin at bdc. ca/en/consulting/data-ai-program — fill the LIFT request form with project type, estimated investment amount, and revenue band.
BDC routes you to either the AI track or Equipment track based on inputs. Initial advisor consultation BDC contacts you (typically within 2-5 business days) to schedule a free initial consultation. The advisor scopes your project, confirms track eligibility, and outlines the advisory engagement (mandatory for AI track, optional for Equipment).
Prepare credit application Submit financial statements (2-3 years), project plan, cash flow projections including loan service, and your Canadian supplier list (for preferential rate eligibility). For larger loans, BDC may request additional underwriting documentation. BDC underwriting review BDC underwrites the loan against standard credit criteria (revenue, profitability, debt service coverage, project viability).
Smaller loans (<$500K) may move quickly; larger loans require deeper review. Term sheet + advisory scoping BDC issues a term sheet specifying loan amount, rate, repayment schedule, principal postponement window, and any covenants. AI track applicants finalize the BDC Advisory Services scoping document in parallel.
Loan execution and disbursement Sign loan documents. Funds disburse lump-sum or milestone-based depending on project size. Implementation begins; principal postponement (if elected) reduces early-year payments to interest-only.
Implementation and reporting Execute the project alongside the BDC advisor (AI track). Submit periodic financial reports per loan covenants. Address any covenant compliance issues proactively to maintain preferential rates.
✓ Online financing request form (BDC portal) ✓ Most recent 2-3 years of financial statements ✓ Project plan or RFP describing the digital/AI or equipment investment ✓ Cash flow projections including loan service ✓ List of intended Canadian technology/equipment suppliers (for preferential rate eligibility) ✓ BDC Advisory Services scoping document (AI track only) Canadian AI software licenses, subscriptions, and integration work Data infrastructure (cloud platforms, data warehouses, integration middleware) ERP/CRM/HRIS implementation Cybersecurity tools and assessments Manufacturing equipment, robotics, automation systems Wholesale/transport/construction operational equipment BDC Advisory Services engagement fees Implementation labour (internal + contracted) Refinancing existing debt (general) Real estate acquisition (use BDC's separate commercial real estate financing) Working capital separate from the project Operations not tied to the digital/AI or productivity project Personal or non-business expenses Continuous intake — apply anytime via the online portal.
BDC does not run cohort-based intakes for LIFT. No application window; LIFT is part of BDC's continuous loan-and-advisory portfolio. Submit an online request, consult with a BDC advisor, then proceed to financing review and disbursement.
The $500M envelope is multi-year; BDC has not published a target depletion date. Open Application Portal → Non-Canadian businesses or those without Canadian operations Pre-revenue startups (below the $1M floor) Real estate investment / passive holding companies Get the step-by-step application guide — documents, timeline, and what to prepare.
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential Federal SR&ED Investment Tax Credit CDAP (Canada Digital Adoption Program) Provincial productivity grants (e.g., Ontario PMA, Quebec ESSOR) Federal Accelerated Investment Incentive (AII) Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential As a loan, LIFT does not 'clawback' in the grant sense.
However, default on loan covenants (missed payments, sale of financed equipment without notice, material misrepresentation in the application) triggers BDC's standard remedies including acceleration of the outstanding balance. See which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get.
See your total funding potential across 4 programs Stacking amounts, clawback details, government stacking limits, and tax implications One avoided clawback typically outweighs the $19 Playbook cost by 50–100×. Unlock this Playbook — $19 One-time · Yours forever · Instant access How BDC LIFT — Lead with Innovation and Focus ... Compares Side-by-side with similar programs BDC LIFT — Lead with Innovation and F...
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Other programs you might be eligible for Strategic Response Fund (formerly Strategic Innovation Fund) Up to $50 million · Federal Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) Up to $1 million · Federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Up to 35% refundable ITC (enhanced rate for CCPCs on first...
· Federal Frequently Asked Questions Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about BDC LIFT — Lead with Innovation and Focus ... Can I apply if I'm under $1M revenue? No — Digital Transformation & AI track requires $1M+ annual revenue.
For lower-revenue businesses, consider CDAP for planning, then LIFT for implementation once revenue hits $1M+. What's the typical loan amount for AI projects? Most AI projects get $50K–$500K (not the full $5M max), especially if they're software-focused.
Equipment projects typically start at $250K+. Do I need to pay for advisory services upfront? No — advisory services are mandatory for AI track but included in the loan cost (add 15-30% to your project budget).
You don't pay them separately. Can I stack LIFT with SR&ED? Yes — SR&ED can cover the same R&D costs the LIFT loan finances.
Coordinate with a SR&ED accountant to claim both on eligible expenditures. Why do AI applicants get rejected? Most rejections are due to not meeting the $1M revenue floor, failing to commit to the mandatory advisory plan, or not articulating a clear productivity hypothesis.
Full Playbook: BDC LIFT — Lead with Innovation and Focus ... 7 steps · 6 docs · reviewer insights or $29/mo · 30-day money-back
Scoring criteria used to review proposals for this grant.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Canadian SMEs; Digital Transformation track requires minimum $1M annual revenue, Productivity track requires minimum $5M annual revenue; must demonstrate loan-servicing capacity. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates $25,000 to $5,000,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
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Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.