REGI Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) — ACOA
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Interest-free repayable contributions to for-profit businesses in Atlantic Canada to scale operations, adopt new technologies, improve productivity, and commercialize new products. Part of the federal REGI platform. Businesses repay the full contribution over a defined schedule with no interest charged. ACOA invested $214M through REGI in 554 businesses in 2024.
Eligibility Requirements
- For-profit business incorporated and operating in Atlantic Canada (NS, NB, PE, NL)
- Includes sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, co-ops, Indigenous-owned businesses
- Must demonstrate economic benefit to Atlantic Canada
- Must not have started project before funding decision
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $20 million (typical $100K–$2M)
- Type
- Forgivable Loan
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 75% 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 TipCall your regional ACOA office first — officers will tell you if your project fits and flag documentation gaps. Starting the project before approval makes many costs ineligible. Frame the narrative around economic diversification — ACOA prioritizes reducing resource-sector dependency.
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Success Profile
Established Atlantic Canadian business with 3+ years, proven product-market fit, and a credible plan to scale revenue or enter export markets. Technology adoption and product commercialization perform well.
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Evaluation Criteria
ACOA officers assess holistically: economic benefit to Atlantic Canada (jobs created/maintained, revenue growth, export potential), project viability and business financial health, quality of matching funding commitment, technology adoption or innovation content, and contribution to economic diversification away from resource sectors. No blind scoring algorithm — officer discretion is significant.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 5
Eligible Expenses 9
- Labour costs (wages and benefits) directly tied to the project
- Capital equipment and machinery purchases
- Manufacturing and operational infrastructure investments
- Operating costs directly and incrementally related to the project
- Technology adoption and integration costs
- R&D and product commercialization costs
- Market development and export preparation activities
- Productivity improvement investments
- Consultant and professional service fees directly related to project
Ineligible Expenses 8
- Costs incurred before receiving a positive funding decision
- Debt refinancing
- Land purchases
- Goodwill
- Amortization on existing assets
- Donations, dues, and membership fees
- Costs deemed unreasonable or non-incremental
- Costs not directly related to project activities
Intake Periods
Continuous intake — no fixed application deadlines or intake windows. Contact ACOA at any time.
Deadline Notes
Continuous intake. Contact your nearest ACOA office before applying — pre-consultation is strongly encouraged. Do not start the project before receiving a funding decision.
Ineligible Organizations
- Non-profit organizations (BSP stream is for-profit only; non-profits use the REGI Regional Innovation Ecosystems stream)
- Businesses incorporated outside Atlantic Canada
- Businesses that have already started their proposed project
- Businesses with insufficient financial health to demonstrate viability
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskModerate. Repayment is required per schedule regardless of project outcomes. Clawback of disbursed funds can occur if: costs claimed were ineligible (project started before approval, costs unrelated to project), misrepresentation in the application, or material breach of contribution agreement conditions.
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How BSP Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REGI Business Scale-up and Productivi... | Up to $20 million | Hard | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
| Innovation PEI — Ignition Fund | Up to $25,000 | Easy | Advance Payment | Periodic intakes (spring... |
| Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth ... | ~$15,000 in subsidized services | Easy | In Kind | Ongoing — Launch Export... |
| Ocean Supercluster | Up to $5 million | Hard | Reimbursement | Call-specific — no open... |
| Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency ... | Varies | Moderate | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
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