Canadian-based business
Services
BDC Pivot to Grow
BDC loans of up to $5M per stream (liquidity, pivot, equipment) for tariff-impacted Canadian businesses, now from $250K with a $1M revenue threshold, 0% interest for the first 12 months on liquidity loans, interest-only payments for up to 36 months and amortization up to 96 months; requires US tariff exposure and a resilience plan for pivot and equipment streams. Available to March 31, 2028.
Overview
BDC loans of up to $5M per stream (liquidity, pivot, equipment) for tariff-impacted Canadian businesses, now from $250K with a $1M revenue threshold, 0% interest for the first 12 months on liquidity loans, interest-only payments for up to 36 months and amortization up to 96 months; requires US tariff exposure and a resilience plan for pivot and equipment streams. Available to March 31, 2028.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | loan |
| Level | federal |
| Region | Canada |
| Administrator | Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) |
| Min per project | $250,000 |
| Max per project | $5,000,000 |
| Max per year | $10,000,000 |
| Budget | $500,000,000 |
| Deadline | 2028-03-31 |
| Intake status | Open (available until March 31, 2028 or until the envelope is fully allocated) |
| Non-US bias | US-exposed firms pivoting (requires minimum 15% of sales to the US or a 10% revenue/cost hit) |
Eligibility
Minimum $1 million in annual revenue (lowered from higher thresholds in the August 2026 expansion)
At least 3 years in business
Historically positive cash flow
Liquidity Support
minimum 15% of sales from exports to the US and tariffs equal to at least 5% of the company's revenue
Pivot and Equipment streams
minimum 15% of sales to the US, OR revenues decreased or costs increased by at least 10% due to US tariffs; a resilience plan is mandatory
Business must have been viable before tariffs and demonstrate material negative impact from US tariffs, related uncertainties or the economic downturn
A company that took a Steel and Aluminum Support Program loan, Forestry Support Program liquidity support, or Softwood Lumber Guarantee Program support is ineligible for Pivot to Grow Liquidity Support (and vice versa)
What it covers
Liquidity support
cash-flow financing for day-to-day operations, interest-only for up to 36 months and up to 96 months to repay (0% interest first 12 months in the August 2026 stream)
Pivot support
financing to strengthen the business, rethink supply chains, explore new markets, products or industries; up to 24 months interest-only and up to 84 months to repay
Equipment financing
productivity investments in machinery and equipment; up to 24 months interest-only and up to 168 months to repay
Principal payment deferrals and prepayment at any time with no penalty
BDC Advisory Services can help build the mandatory resilience plan
Market and diversification rules
Program responds to US tariffs, so US-exposed businesses are the target population; the pivot stream funds diversification of markets and supply chains
Liquidity Support automatically stops if the tariffs in force August 19, 2026 are repealed, cancelled, suspended or otherwise cease to have effect
How to apply
Share information about your business and how it has been impacted by US tariffs via the BDC Pivot to Grow page
BDC will call you to discuss the project and required documents
Receive a tailored loan offer if approved
Call BDC Business Solutions Centre at 1-877-232-2269 or start a chat for help
Stacking notes
Pivot to Grow complements (does not duplicate) other BDC tariff programs and federal support
Recipients of specific BDC programs (Steel and Aluminum Support, Forestry liquidity, Softwood Lumber Guarantee) cannot also receive Pivot to Grow Liquidity Support
Notes
Pivot to Grow is a $500 million envelope; each stream is capped at $5M for a maximum total of $10M per support program
August 25, 2026 expansion
new liquidity stream from $250,000, minimum revenue lowered to $1M, simplified application; BDC estimates about 5,500 Canadian SMEs exporting to the US could be directly impacted by the tariffs imposed August 22, 2026
A six-month principal payment deferral is offered to eligible exporting clients affected by the latest tariffs
The minimum revenue requirement for the steel, aluminium and forestry sectors was also lowered to $1M
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.
Book a free readiness call