Loan

BDC LIFT (Lead with Innovation and Focus on Technology)

Federal - Business Development Bank of Canada · $25,000–$5,000,000

Preferential-rate financing plus advisory for AI, digital tools, cybersecurity, and smart/automated equipment. Preferential pricing when Canadian suppliers or integrators are used. Digital/AI path: typically $1M+ revenue; productivity-equipment path: typically $5M+ revenue in selected sectors. Published amount: $25,000–$5,000,000. Best for: Existing SMEs investing in AI, digital systems, or digitally enabled equipment. This is a loan, not a grant. Administered by Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). Official source: BDC LIFT (Lead with Innovation and Focus on Technology).

Criteria

Who qualifies	Existing businesses Typically 1+ years in business (catalog floor) Minimum revenue $1 million (catalog floor) Eligible statuses in catalog: Canadian citizens, permanent residents For-profit Requires R&D / innovation activity Available across Canada Best for: Existing SMEs investing in AI, digital systems, or digitally enabled equipment
Who does not	Brand-new startups / idea-stage shops (existing-business program) Under 1 year(s) in business Revenue below $1 million Work-permit-only newcomers (catalog lists citizen/PR, not work-permit) Businesses with no R&D / innovation project
Amount	$25,000–$5,000,000
Rate / repayable	Preferential rates when using Canadian suppliers. Repayable: yes (loan / repayable contribution — not a grant).
What it funds	Preferential-rate financing plus advisory for AI, digital tools, cybersecurity, and smart/automated equipment. Preferential pricing when Canadian suppliers or integrators are used. Digital/AI path: typically $1M+ revenue; productivity-equipment path: typically $5M+ revenue in selected sectors. Highlights: AI / digital / smart equipment; Advisory + preferential-rate financing; Official range $25,000–$5 million; Plan required (BDC Advisory for the AI path).
Intake window	See the official page
Region	Canada-wide, including Markham and York Region, where the published criteria are met.
Administrator	Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) (Federal - Business Development Bank of Canada)

Published highlights

AI / digital / smart equipment
Advisory + preferential-rate financing
Official range $25,000–$5 million
Plan required (BDC Advisory for the AI path)

Official apply / learn more See if you match Get help applying

FAQ

Is this a grant?

No. BDC LIFT (Lead with Innovation and Focus on Technology) is catalogued as a loan / repayable contribution. Preferential rates when using Canadian suppliers Confirm terms on the official page.

Who qualifies in Markham?

Canada-wide, including Markham and York Region, where the published criteria are met. Qualifies where the published criteria fit: existing businesses; typically 1+ years in business; minimum revenue $1 million; Canadian citizens, permanent residents; for-profit; requires R&D / innovation activity; available across Canada; existing SMEs investing in AI, digital systems, or digitally enabled equipment.

Is there a minimum years in business or employee count?

Catalog floors: 1 year(s) in business; no minimum employee count in this catalog. Revenue floor: $1 million. See the official page if a rule is not listed here.

Can newcomers or work-permit holders apply?

The catalog lists Canadian citizens and permanent residents only — work-permit is not in the eligibility list. Do not assume a work-permit newcomer qualifies.

Related programs

Eligibility is determined by the government administrator (Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)), not Markham Office. Amounts, rates, and windows change. Verify every detail on the official page before you apply. Markham Office is an assessment helper only. As of September 2026.