Updated August 2026 · Verified against Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) guidelines
▲ Growing Reimbursement Est. 2018
Loan Federal Active

REGI Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) — ACOA

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Loan Range
Typically $100,000-$2,000,000 (repayable, interest-free;...
Ongoing
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Hard
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Growing
First-Timers
—
Financing share
75%
REGI Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) — ACOA provides up to Typically $100,000-$2,000,000 (repayable, interest-free; large-scale projects may reach higher). Interest-free, unsecured repayable contributions to businesses in Atlantic Canada to scale operations, adopt new technologies, improve productivity, and commercialize new products. The program covers up to 75% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Real recipient data

Who actually receives this funding

538 businesses received this funding in 2025 — 5,139 awards since 2018. Typical award: $99.8K. Half of all awards fall between $50K and $350K. The advertised maximum is $2M — most awards land closer to $99.8K. Top sectors among classified recipients: Computer systems design, Food manufacturing, Miscellaneous manufacturing. Top provinces: Nova Scotia 37% · New Brunswick 30% · Newfoundland and Labrador 21%. Covers: ACOA REGI Business Scale-up and Productivity contributions to Atlantic businesses (the ecosystem stream is reported separately). Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure data · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Data through Q3 2026.

The typical REGI Business Scale-up and Productivity award is $99.8K — the median of 5,139 awards since 2018, even though the program advertises up to $2M. In 2025, 538 organizations were funded.

538funded in 2025
$99.8Ktypical award
5,139awards since 2018

Most awards fall between $50K and $350K, with a typical (median) award of $99.8K. The program funds up to $2M for the largest projects — about 20 times the typical award.

Where awards land
typical $99.8K $50K $350K
up to $2M

Most awards land between $50K and $350K, with a typical award of $99.8K — and this program funds up to $2M for the largest projects.

Top sectors Computer systems designFood manufacturingMiscellaneous manufacturing(of classified recipients)
Top provinces NS 37%NB 30%NL 21%

Named recipients

Recent recipients include The Smart Energy Company Inc. (Upper Golden Grove, NB, 2026), dlP Business Consulting (Halifax, NS, 2026) and Shining Waters Family Fun Park (Cavendish, PE, 2026).

  1. 2026The Smart Energy Company Inc.Upper Golden Grove, NB
  2. 2026dlP Business ConsultingHalifax, NS
  3. 2026Shining Waters Family Fun ParkCavendish, PE
  4. 2026OceanSyncHalifax, NS
  5. 2026Trusko Inc.Caraquet, NB
  6. 2026Truss Peninsule Inc.Inkerman Ferry, NB
  7. 2026Skyline Atlantic CanadaDieppe, NB
  8. 2026RFINE Biomass Solutions Inc.Dartmouth, NS
  9. 2026Northern Lights Seafood Inc.Plum Point, NL
  10. 2026Clean Valley Bio-filtration Technologies CICDartmouth, NS
Show 29 more recipients
  1. 2026LaiblHalifax, NS
  2. 2026Holy Whale Brewing Corp.Alma, NB
  3. 2026Awtij Energy Inc.Port Williams, NS
  4. 2026The Halifax Honey CompanyBedford, NS
  5. 2026Canadian Maritime Engineering LimitedDartmouth, NS
  6. 2026Polyamyna Nanotech Inc.St. John's, NL
  7. 2026Enaimco Management LimitedSt. John's, NL
  8. 2026Mariner Partners Inc.Saint John, NB
  9. 2026Dawich Technical Solutions IncorporatedParadise, NL
  10. 2026The Elmwood GroupMoncton, NB
  11. 2026Ever Green RecyclingSt. John's, NL
  12. 2026Advanced Air Systems IncorporatedSummerside, PE
  13. 2026Victory Advanced Technologies Inc.Saint John, NB
  14. 2026Carol Lake Metal Works LimitedLabrador City, NL
  15. 2026Cows Inc.Charlottetown, PE
  16. 2026Triware Technologies Inc.St. John's, NL
  17. 2026Bluefield Seeding Solutions Inc.North Wiltshire, PE
  18. 2026Country Ribbon Inc.St. John's, NL
  19. 2026River Resorts Ltd.Charlottetown, PE
  20. 2026Somru BioScience Inc.Charlottetown, PE
  21. 2026Wellfish Tech (Canada) InclCharlottetown, PE
  22. 2026Event TempleVancouver, BC
  23. 2025624899 N.-B. LtéeSaint-Lambert-de-Lauzon, QC
  24. 2025Superior Glove Works LimitedActon, ON
  25. 2025Russell Industries Corp.Niagara Falls, ON
  26. 2025Vyterra Renewables Inc.Nepean, ON
  27. 2025JRAS Medical Inc.Vancouver, BC
  28. 2025Halifax International Security ForumWashington, DC
  29. 2024Marshall CanadaOttawa, ON
See how much each recipient received, and how each award compares to the typical one. Included in Premium ↓

Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure

See all REGI Business Scale-up and Productivity winners →

What it actually funds

This program most often pays for equipment

28% of 1,257 awards to businesses since April 2023 went to buying equipment or machinery, and 13% to studies, plans and outside advice.

Where the money went share of 1,257 awards

  • Buying equipment or machinery28% 357

    Projects of this kind typically received $314K since April 2023.

  • Studies, plans and outside advice13% 166

    Projects of this kind typically received $50K since April 2023.

  • Hiring staff13% 162

    Projects of this kind typically received $50K since April 2023.

    Real projects funded, in the government’s own words

    • Hire production manager to find efficiencies and streamline manufacturing operations.
    • Hire a market development specialist to support business growth and international sales
    • Hire a Chief Technology Officer to lead digitalization strategy
  • Building or expanding a facility12% 155

    Projects of this kind typically received $360K since April 2023.

    Real projects funded, in the government’s own words

    • Build new warehouse and equipment to increase storage capacity
    • Establish small motel to meet a demonstrated tourism need
    • Upgrade existing infrastructure and add new recreational facilities
  • Entering new markets or exporting8% 97

    Projects of this kind typically received $90K since April 2023.

    Real projects funded, in the government’s own words

    • Pursue export opportunities in Australia and the South Pacific region to support growth
    • Engage in business development activities to facilitate expansion into the US market
    • Launch strategy to grow company's city, healthcare and government divisions globally
  • Improving or automating operations6% 70

    Projects of this kind typically received $89K since April 2023.

    Real projects funded, in the government’s own words

    • Automate the production line to improve efficiency and productivity
    • Increase efficiencies in the commercial drying facility
    • Streamline onboarding process through automation and process improvements
  • Other project types 20%marketing and sales, developing a new physical product, building software or a digital product and more

Rare here: scientific or lab research (<1%). Only 6% of these projects created something new; most bought or expanded something that already exists.

Real projects funded in the government’s own words

Buying equipment or machinery

  • Acquire juice pressing equipment for juice cup line to meet growing demand
  • Purchase automated equipment to manufacture metal ventilation ducts

Studies, plans and outside advice

  • Hire expertise to develop and implement a strategic growth plan
  • Engage an engineering consultant to support infrastructure assessment and planning

Where in a company’s journey it pays

Most staged projects here were at the grow what works stage (48%).

  1. 4%Explore an idea
  2. 5%Build something new
  3. 1%Test and prove it
  4. 6%Launch it
  5. 48%Grow what works

The other 36% were not staged projects (hiring, advice, events) or did not say.

More about these projects

New, or more of what already works?

6% created something new79% bought or expanded something that already exists

The remaining 15% were a mix of both, or the description did not say.

  • 40%Leaves a physical asset behind
  • 6%Aimed at markets outside Canada
  • 2%Claims an environmental benefit

How we know: we read the government’s published description of each award; an AI classifier sorted them, and we hand-checked a sample (92% correct). Individual awards can be misfiled, so read the shares as approximate. 275 more awards had descriptions too vague to sort and are left out. Federal disclosure lists awards above $25,000 only. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

Program Description

Interest-free, unsecured repayable contributions to businesses in Atlantic Canada to scale operations, adopt new technologies, improve productivity, and commercialize new products. Eligible applicants include sole proprietorships, partnerships, incorporated companies, corporations and co-operatives, social enterprises, Indigenous-owned businesses, all other types of enterprises, and non-profit organizations that offer services to businesses. Part of the federal REGI platform. The contribution is repaid in full over a defined schedule with no interest charged — nothing is forgiven. ACOA invested $214M through REGI in 554 businesses in 2024.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Business operating in Atlantic Canada (NS, NB, PE, NL)
  • Includes sole proprietorships, partnerships, incorporated companies, corporations and co-operatives, social enterprises, Indigenous-owned businesses, and all other types of enterprises — incorporation is not required
  • Non-profit organizations that offer services to businesses are also eligible under the Business Scale-up option
  • Must demonstrate economic benefit to Atlantic Canada
  • Must not have started project before funding decision
Provinces
Nova Scotia New Brunswick Prince Edward Island Newfoundland & Labrador
Industries
All
Business Stage
Growth Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Hard
Competition
Moderate
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
Typically $100,000-$2,000,000 (repayable, interest-free; large-scale projects may reach higher)
Type
Loan
Level
Federal
Financing share
Up to 75% of eligible costs
Deadline
Ongoing

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Moderate
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
2/5

Difficult — significant preparation needed

Competition
3/5

Moderate competition — prepare a strong application

Difficulty
4/5

Complex — detailed documentation needed

Approval Rate
Processing Time
Budget Trend
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How to qualify

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

Call your regional ACOA office first — officers will tell you if your project fits and flag documentation gaps.

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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to secure BSP

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Pre-consultation with regional ACOA office Call 1-888-576-4444 or contact your nearest regional office (Halifax, Moncton, Fredericton, Charlottetown, or St. John's) before preparing anything. Officers confirm fit, flag documentation gaps, and advise whether BSP or another ACOA stream is appropriate for your project.

Required Documents 5

✓ ACOA Application for Financial Assistance
✓ Business plan with projections

Eligible Expenses 9

Ineligible Expenses 8

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

SR&ED Tax Credits NRC-IRAP Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) Innovation PEI Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy (ATIGS)
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

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How BSP Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
REGI Business Scale-up and Productivi... Typically $100,000-$2,000,000 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...
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency ... Up to 50% of capital costs Moderate Reimbursement Ongoing
Business Development Program (BDP) - ... Varies (Repayable Contribution) Moderate Reimbursement Ongoing

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about BSP

Free
Can sole proprietors apply?
Yes, sole proprietors, partnerships, co-operatives, social enterprises and corporations are all eligible if operating in Atlantic Canada (NS, NB, PE, NL) and meeting other criteria. Non-profit organizations that offer services to businesses can also apply under the Business Scale-up option.
What's the typical award amount?
Most SMEs receive $100,000–$500,000. Over $1M requires proven export markets or significant job creation (e.g., 50+ new jobs).
Do I need to wait for approval before starting?
Yes — starting the project before ACOA approval makes those costs ineligible. Contact your ACOA office first for pre-consultation.
Is matching funding required?
Yes. Total government assistance (federal, provincial and municipal combined) is capped at 75% of non-capital eligible costs and 50% of capital eligible costs, so you must fund the balance and show the financing is committed.
Can I stack with SR&ED?
Yes, SR&ED credits apply to eligible R&D costs within the BSP project that ACOA doesn't reimburse.

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