BDC LIFT: Lead with Innovation and Focus on Technology
Compared with the 242 other application forms we have read
- The heaviest thing to produce is a full business plan. 19 ask for that.
- Scored mainly on whether you can afford it and pay it back. 42 lead with that.
- Only 1 written answer, against a median of 5.
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Launched April 24, 2026 with a $500M envelope targeting 1,000+ Canadian SMEs, LIFT pairs BDC loans with advisory services across two pathways: Digital transformation and AI (data infrastructure, ERP/CRM, Canadian AI tools, cybersecurity; minimum $1M annual revenue, demonstrated profitability, and a mandatory completed BDC Advisory Services Digital Plan; loans $25,000 to $2,000,000, capital payments postponable up to 12 months, amortization up to 6 years) and Productivity and digitally enabled equipment (automation, robotics, machinery; minimum $5M annual revenue, BDC advisory support optional but an up-to-date productivity plan mandatory; loans $350,000 to $5,000,000, initial capital payments postponable up to 2 years, amortization up to 12 years). Both tracks require you to work with qualified Canadian technology, AI, digital, integration or equipment suppliers. Replaces the BDC Data to AI Program (December 2024 launch, see catalog ID 473).
Eligibility Requirements
- Canadian-based business with operations in Canada
- Digital transformation and AI track: minimum $1M annual revenue, and completion of a BDC Advisory Services Digital Plan is mandatory
- Eligibility includes demonstrated profitability, a strong financial foundation and a solid credit history
- Productivity and digitally enabled equipment track: minimum $5M annual revenue; BDC advisory support is optional but an up-to-date productivity plan is mandatory
- Equipment track sectors: Manufacturing, Transport and warehousing, Wholesale, Construction, Agriculture/forestry/fishing/hunting, Architectural/engineering services, Mining/quarrying/oil and gas
- AI track investment must be focused on digital, data, AI or cybersecurity
- Must work with qualified Canadian technology, AI, digital, integration or equipment suppliers; BDC's LIFT FAQ states this is required to qualify
- AI track excludes suppliers of premises, hotels, and trucking companies with fewer than 10 vehicles
- Demonstrated ability to service the loan (BDC's standard credit assessment)
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- AI $25K–$2M · Equip $350K–$5MDigital Transformation & AI track: loans $25,000 to $2,000,000 (capital payments postponable up to 12 months; amortization up to 6 years). Productivity and digitally enabled equipment track: loans $350,000 to $5,000,000 (initial capital payments postponable up to 2 years; amortization up to 12 years). No single track offers $25,000 to $5,000,000.
- Type
- Loan
- Level
- Federal
- Financing share
- Up to 100% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Continuous intake — apply anytime
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Moderate — standard application process
Below average competition
Moderate — standard requirements
How to qualify
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipIf you're under $5M revenue, route through the Digital transformation and AI track, because 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.
Success Profile
Evaluation Criteria
How BDC LIFT judges your application
What the reviewer scores, what gets applications rejected, and what to write.
Distilled from 2 source documents on bdc.ca, condensed into one brief. Sources as of 2026-09-07.
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What BDC LIFT favours
Invest in advanced technology with clarity and confidence◦
“Invest in advanced technology with clarity and confidence”
The form
Choose your path
- 1One program. Two powerful paths.selection
Your project and plan
- 2Start your request onlinewritten answer
Tell us about your project and business.
- 3Technology, digital or productivity planupload
BDC LIFT states no length limits for these answers.
Judged against
- 1
Which LIFT path does this project fit?
Show them Pick the AI-and-digital path or the automation path and describe the project that belongs to it.◦
In the funder’s words · 1
- Eligibility also depends on your financial health, industry, and the nature of your project.
- 2
What efficiency or competitiveness gain will it buy?
What to show them in Premium
- 3
Is the supplier and the plan lined up?
What to show them in Premium
Premium · the rest of this brief
See all 4 rules that can reject you and every criterion you are judged on. Then we draft your application for you.
1 more prompts
Do you pass?
Each one can rule you out. Tick the ones you meet.
Your business
Canadian business, $1M or more revenue
Canadian-based businesses with at least $1M in revenue.
Canadian business, $5M or more revenue
Canadian-based businesses with at least $5M in revenue.
Sector limit on equipment path
For productivity-enhancing equipment, LIFT is available to businesses in the following sectors only:
The project
Canadian supplier or integrator used
Do I need to work with Canadian technology or equipment suppliers to qualify for LIFT? Yes.
Documents to attach
Ticks are kept on this device.
The money
What it pays for · 1
- installation, integration, and implementation costs when directly tied to the technology investment and reviewed as part of the overall project
From application to money
- Talk with an advisorTalk with a BDC advisor
- Advisor callbackwithin 48 hoursCallback within 48 hours
- Submit your planSubmit your plan
- Access financingAccess BDC financing
In the funder’s words · 4
- Talk with an advisor
- Tell BDC about your project and business, then talk with an advisor about your path.
- Advisor callback
- A callback can occur within 48 hours by phone.
- Submit your plan
- Your path sets the plan: a BDC Advisory Services Plan for AI and digital, a productivity plan for equipment.
- Access financing
- The relevant BDC financing and advisory teams take the application forward.
Quoted lines are word for word from the source documents; lines marked ◦ are our reading of them.
Everything you need to secure BDC LIFT
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 7-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Your Application Game Plan — the print-ready PDF the preview below describes
- 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 lenders look for
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 7
Eligible Expenses 8
Ineligible Expenses 5
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
- 6 more application steps
- 5 more required documents
- 8 eligible expenses
- 5 ineligible expenses
- Deadline notes
- Ineligible organizations
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskHow BDC LIFT Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDC LIFT: Lead with Innovation and Fo... | Digital Transformation & AI track:... | Moderate | Loan | Continuous intake —... |
| Black Entrepreneurship Program | Up to $250,000 | Moderate | Loan | Ongoing |
| Canada Small Business Financing Program | Up to $1.15 million | Easy | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| Investissement Québec — Project Finan... | Varies | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| Futurpreneur Canada Startup Program | Up to $75,000 | Moderate | Loan | Ongoing |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about BDC LIFT