Small and medium-sized enterprises located in Atlantic Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick)
Services
ACOA Business Development Program (BDP)
Atlantic-wide standing program through which the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) helps SMEs launch, modernize and grow in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Provides interest-free, unsecured, repayable contributions of up to 50% of the capital needed to establish, expand or modernize a business, and up to 75% for growth activities such as staff training, efficiency studies, marketing and trade activities, productivity improvements, quality assurance and environmental management systems. Export capacity and increased export sales are explicit program objectives.
Overview
Atlantic-wide standing program through which the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) helps SMEs launch, modernize and grow in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Provides interest-free, unsecured, repayable contributions of up to 50% of the capital needed to establish, expand or modernize a business, and up to 75% for growth activities such as staff training, efficiency studies, marketing and trade activities, productivity improvements, quality assurance and environmental management systems. Export capacity and increased export sales are explicit program objectives.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | grant (interest-free repayable contribution) |
| Level | federal |
| Region | Atlantic Canada (NB, NL, NS, PE) |
| Administrator | Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) |
| Cost share | 50% |
| Intake status | Open - ongoing intake; contact your nearest ACOA office |
| Non-US bias | No US restriction; funds marketing and trade activities and international market development to grow export sales |
Eligibility
Incorporated or registered businesses; ACOA funds both new businesses and expansions
Businesses must be viable or have a viable path to profitability and demonstrate the project would not proceed without support
Non-profit organizations undertaking projects that support SME growth (training, counselling, networking, research and development, technology transfer, market development)
What it covers
Establishment, expansion and modernization of businesses
capital expenditures to establish a viable operation or produce goods more efficiently
Consultant studies
business plans, feasibility analyses, productivity improvement plans, marketing plans, market research, technology evaluations, licensing opportunity investigations
Competitive bidding support
activities that enhance the ability to bid on and acquire private-sector, international or public-sector procurement contracts
Growth activities at up to 75% of costs
staff training, efficiency studies, marketing and trade activities, productivity improvements, quality assurance, environmental management systems
Incremental marketing, human resource development, productivity improvement and quality improvement
International market development for the purpose of increasing export sales and attracting foreign direct investment (non-commercial stream)
Non-profit services to business
planning, business information, counselling, sector export development strategies, market and trade development, business networking
Market and diversification rules
Up to 50% of the capital required for establishment, expansion or modernization
Up to 75% of costs for marketing/trade activities, staff training, efficiency studies, productivity improvements, quality assurance and environmental management systems
Contributions to for-profit businesses are generally repayable (conditionally or unconditionally); some elements allow non-repayable contributions
Contributions to non-profit organizations are generally non-repayable but become conditionally repayable if a project results in commercial activity
How to apply
Contact your nearest ACOA office to discuss the project before applying
Complete and submit the Application for Financial Assistance
ACOA Business Information Services can help you connect to the right program (1-888-576-4444)
Stacking notes
Applicants must disclose all other sources of government funding; ACOA considers total government assistance when assessing a project
Notes
BDP objectives include increased export capacity and export sales for SMEs and increased foreign direct investment
Long-standing program (terms and conditions since 1995) with funding appropriated annually; median award around $74K based on public disclosure data
Separate from REGI (Regional Economic Growth through Innovation), which targets scale-up and technology adoption
Relevant services
The services below are grant-eligible: CanExport and EDC reimburse up to 50% for incorporated Canadian exporters.
Book a free readiness call
Grant programs can reimburse up to 50% of eligible market-entry costs. In one free call we tell you honestly whether your product fits a non-US market.
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