BDC Small Business Loan
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Online loan of up to $350,000 for established Canadian small businesses. No collateral required — only a personal guarantee. Designed for businesses generating revenue for 24+ months with good credit. Streamlined digital application with faster approval for amounts under $100,000. Flexible repayment terms including principal payment holidays and seasonal schedules.
Eligibility Requirements
- Business must be registered and operating in Canada
- Generating revenue for at least 24 consecutive months
- Business must be profitable (or have a clear path to profitability)
- Good personal and business credit history
- Business must have an account with a Canadian financial institution
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $350,000
- Type
- Loan
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 100% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
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. Unlock with Premium →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipBDC is a lender of last resort in the best sense — they will lend to businesses that chartered banks decline, particularly younger businesses and those in underserved sectors. If your bank said no, try BDC. The online portal for under $100K is genuinely fast and low-friction. Use BDC for working capital or equipment while pursuing grants for innovation — the two are explicitly stackable and BDC itself is named as a co-funder in many programs (including Fierce Founders Uplift). Interest rates are variable and typically slightly above prime — check the simulator at bdc.ca/en/financing/small-business-loan/simulator.
See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it. Unlock with Premium →
Success Profile
A Canadian small business with 2+ years of operations, consistent revenue, and a specific capital need (equipment purchase, working capital buffer, inventory, or facilities improvement). Business is profitable or close to breakeven. Owner has reasonable personal credit history. Business is in any sector — BDC lends to all industries.
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Evaluation Criteria
BDC evaluates creditworthiness rather than competitive merit. Key factors: 24+ months of revenue-generating operations, profitability (or clear path to profitability), good personal and business credit history, viable business model, and clear plan for use of funds. No collateral required — only a personal guarantee. BDC's mandate is complementary lending, serving businesses that chartered banks may underserve.
See exactly what reviewers score on — so you know where to focus. Unlock with Premium →
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 6
Eligible Expenses 8
- Inventory purchasing and restocking
- New product or service development and launch
- Energy efficiency improvements and upgrades
- Marketing campaigns and advertising
- Workforce hiring and training
- Industry certifications and compliance costs
- Market expansion (domestic and international)
- General working capital and operational expenses
Ineligible Expenses 5
- Real estate purchases (separate BDC product exists)
- Business acquisitions (separate BDC product exists)
- Speculative investments unrelated to business operations
- Personal expenses of the business owner
- Debt consolidation of non-BDC obligations
Intake Periods
Ongoing — BDC accepts applications year-round with no intake deadlines or competitive windows. Online application available 24/7.
Deadline Notes
Ongoing — BDC accepts applications year-round with no intake deadlines. Online application can be completed in under an hour. Approval for amounts under $100,000 is typically faster (days to weeks vs. weeks for larger amounts).
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Businesses operating less than 24 months
- Pre-revenue or pre-profit businesses (directed to BDC Start-up Financing)
- Businesses not registered or operating in Canada
- Companies where all shareholders holding 25%+ of shares reside outside Canada (though alternative processes may apply)
Get the step-by-step application guide — documents, timeline, and what to prepare. Unlock with Premium →
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How BDC Small Business Loan Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDC Small Business Loan | Up to $350,000 | Easy | Advance Payment | Ongoing |
| Canada Small Business Financing Program | Up to $1.15 million | Easy | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| BDC Start-up Financing | Up to $250,000 | Easy | Advance Payment | Ongoing |
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