FedDev Ontario — Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP)
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Who actually receives this funding
429 awards on record since 2014. Typical award: $1.75M. Half of all awards fall between $1M and $2.85M. The advertised maximum is $10M — most awards land closer to $1.75M. 100% of recipients are for-profit businesses. Top sectors among classified recipients: Data processing and hosting, Computer systems design services, Other fabricated metal products. Top provinces: Ontario 100%. Covers: FedDev Ontario BSUP contributions — Ontario for-profit scale-up contributions including predecessor program names. Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure data · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Data through Q3 2026.
The typical FedDev Ontario award is $1.75M — the median of 429 awards since 2014, even though the program advertises up to $10M.
Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Interest-free repayable contributions of $125,000 to $10,000,000 for incorporated businesses in southern Ontario to scale operations, adopt innovative technologies, and improve productivity. Repayment begins one year after project completion with no early repayment penalties.
Eligibility Requirements
- Incorporated business in southern Ontario
- Minimum 5 full-time employees
- Must provide matching funding for at least 50% of eligible project costs
- Only one active FedDev application permitted at a time across all programs
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- $125,000 to $10,000,000
- Type
- Forgivable Loan
- Level
- Federal
- Financing share
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- FedDev Ontario is accepting applications (Business Scale-up and Productivity). Confirm the current intake window on the official page.
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to secure BSP
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 6 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 7-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 8-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
How to qualify
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipContact FedDev at [email protected] before applying — they actively help shape viable proposals.
Rejection Pitfalls 6
- Located outside southern Ontario (northern Ontario served by FedNor/NOHFC)
Success Profile
Evaluation Criteria
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 7
Eligible Expenses 8
Ineligible Expenses 11
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskHow BSP Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FedDev Ontario — Business Scale-up an... | $125,000 to $10,000,000 | Hard | Reimbursement | FedDev Ontario is... |
| NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program | $100,000–$500,000 | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Applications accepted... |
| Ontario Job Grant (formerly Canada-On... | Up to $10,000 per employee | Easy | Varies | Ongoing — year-round... |
| Ontario Innovation Tax Credit | Up to 8% tax credit | Moderate | Tax Credit Offset | Ongoing |
Related Programs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about BSP