BDC Start-up Financing
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Loan of up to $250,000 for businesses that have been generating revenue for at least 12 months. Designed specifically for early-stage companies with a 12-month interest-only period at the start, giving founders cash flow breathing room during initial growth. Can be used for launch costs, assets, marketing, working capital, or franchise purchases.
Eligibility Requirements
- Business must be based in Canada
- Must have been in operation for at least 12 consecutive months
- Must be generating revenues
- Good personal credit history and applicant must have reached age of majority in their province
- Business must demonstrate realistic market and sales potential
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $250,000
- Type
- Loan
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 100% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win BDC Start-up Financing — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 7-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 5-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Applying for BDC Start-up Financing? Most founders end up needing more than one template — grab the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27 vs separate) →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipThe 12-month interest-only period is the key advantage of this product over BDC's standard Small Business Loan. For a $100,000 loan at ~7% interest, you pay roughly $583/month for the first 12 months instead of full principal + interest payments (~$1,500+/month). This is particularly valuable if you're scaling revenue but not yet cash-flow positive. Note the requirement: 12 months of OPERATIONS and REVENUES — a pre-revenue startup does not qualify. BDC Start-up Financing and grants from programs like Fierce Founders or IRAP are complementary and frequently used together.
Success Profile
A founder who has been running a business for 12–24 months, has paying customers, and needs capital to hire, market, or acquire equipment to scale. Business is not yet profitable but has a clear revenue trajectory. Founder has decent personal credit (not perfect, but no major derogatory items). Business is in any sector.
Evaluation Criteria
BDC evaluates business viability and creditworthiness rather than competitive merit. Key factors: 12+ months of operations with revenue, realistic market and sales projections, good personal credit history (not perfect but no major derogatory items), clear plan for use of funds, and demonstration of growth trajectory. BDC's mandate is to serve early-stage businesses that conventional banks consider too risky.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 7
Eligible Expenses 8
- Launch costs for a new business venture
- Purchase of business assets and equipment
- Franchise purchases and franchise fees
- Marketing strategies and website development
- Advisory and business development services
- Working capital replenishment spent on startup costs
- Inventory and supplies
- Hiring and staffing costs
Ineligible Expenses 5
- Real estate purchases (separate BDC product)
- Business acquisitions of existing companies (separate BDC product)
- Personal expenses of the founder
- Speculative or passive investments
- Pre-revenue concept development (business must be generating revenue)
Intake Periods
Ongoing — BDC accepts applications year-round with no intake deadlines. Funding decisions typically 2-4 weeks from submission.
Deadline Notes
Ongoing — no intake deadline. BDC accepts applications year-round. Funding decisions typically take 2–4 weeks from application submission.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Businesses operating less than 12 months
- Pre-revenue businesses (must be generating revenue)
- Businesses not based in Canada
- Applicants with poor personal credit history or major derogatory credit items
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskHow BDC Start-up Financing Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDC Start-up Financing | Up to $250,000 | Easy | Advance Payment | Ongoing |
| BDC Small Business Loan | Up to $350,000 | Easy | Advance Payment | Ongoing |
| 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 |
| Futurpreneur Canada Startup Program | Up to $75,000 | Moderate | Loan | Ongoing |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about BDC Start-up Financing