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MOTION CONTROL AT THE SPEED OF TECHNOLOGY™
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BDC LIFT Program
The BDC LIFT (Lead with Innovation and Focus on Technology) program is a relatively new initiative from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). It combines advisory services and preferential financing to help Canadian businesses adopt AI, digital technologies, cybersecurity, robotics, and automation. The program launched in April 2026 with a $500 million funding commitment.
There are two separate streams:
|
Program |
Digital Transformation & AI |
Productivity & Automation |
|
Purpose |
AI, ERP, CRM, cybersecurity, digital transformation |
Robotics, automation, digitally enabled equipment |
|
Minimum revenue |
$1 million/year |
$5 million/year |
|
Industries |
Most industries |
Manufacturing, wholesale, construction, transportation, agriculture, engineering, mining, oil & gas |
|
Advisory services |
Mandatory |
Optional if you already have a suitable productivity plan |
|
Financing |
Implementation of the BDC digital plan |
Equipment plus implementation costs |
General qualifications:
To qualify, your business generally must:
- Be a Canadian-based business.
- Meet the minimum annual revenue requirement ($1M or $5M depending on the stream).
- Have a strong financial position and satisfactory credit history.
- Be profitable or demonstrate financial strength.
- Be investing in eligible technology.
- Purchase from qualified Canadian technology suppliers or system integrators.
- Have a technology implementation plan. For the AI stream, this must be developed through BDC Advisory Services.
What can be financed?
Eligible Automation projects include:
- Industrial robots
- Collaborative robots
- Automated material handling
- CNC and smart manufacturing equipment
- Vision systems
- Sensor-enabled production equipment
- Installation and integration costs
- Training directly related to the project
How much financing?
BDC does not publish a fixed maximum on its main program page because approvals depend on the business and project. Industry guidance indicates financing generally ranges from $25,000 to several million dollars, with many projects falling between $100,000 and $1 million.
