Canada's entrepreneurship
celebration

BDC Small
Business Week™

In person and virtual
Oct. 19-25

It’s a two-speed world now—fast or finished

Join us to learn how to keep pace so you can keep up with the new speed of business. From raising the bar with AI, to scaling through acquisition to taking advantage of the major projects boom, this year is all about helping your business get to Fast. Faster.

Small Business Week
at a glance

100+ events
11 000+ participants

Canada's entrepreneurship

celebration

What will be covered?

This year, we explore the new rules of doing business in Canada’s fast-changing environment and how entrepreneurs can build momentum to keep moving forward.

We’ll look at the new realities confronting entrepreneurs: adapting quickly, executing even faster, investing in productivity, seizing the once-in-a-lifetime business transfer opportunity, tapping into the major projects and defence boom, and turning resilience into a strategic advantage.

Why attend

Explore conferences and panel discussions led by experienced business leaders. Sessions tackle today’s challenges, share practical examples and spark meaningful exchanges that will leave with ideas you can put into action right away.

Who is it for?

BDC Small Business Week is for people who want to connect with entrepreneurs and founders at any stage, meet partners that support Canadian businesses, and people who are committed to celebrating and strengthening Canada’s entrepreneurial community.

Who will I meet?

Meet trusted partners ready to support your next move. From financing to advice, connect one-on-one with organizations that understand your reality and help accelerate growth—before, during and after the week.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

BDC Small Business Week is an annual celebration of Canadian entrepreneurship organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).  Since 1979, over 10,000 entrepreneurs gather every year in October to learn, network and get tips to stay ahead; fueling the strength of Canada’s business community.
Small Business Week takes place on the third week of October. This year, events will take place throughout the week of October 19 to 25, both online and in communities across Canada.

This year’s theme is It’s a two-speed world now—fast or finished.

AI is raising the bar on speed and cost, and your competition is using it to outhustle you. Business transfers are changing market dynamics, giving some businesses instant scale. Talent is scarce and expensive. Supply chains are still fragile. Trade shocks can hit overnight. 

We’re living Canada’s economic evolution in real time, and small businesses like yours are on the front lines.

It’s a two-speed world now, fast or finished, with no more middle ground between the two. 

This year we examine the unavoidable new rules: adapt fast, execute even faster, invest in productivity, take advantage of the once-in-a lifetime business transfer moment, get in on the major project and defence boom and make resilience a core strategic advantage. 

Small Business Week 2026 is about helping you get to Fast. Faster.

Small Business Week is for:

  • Small and medium-sized business owners
  • Entrepreneurs and founders at any stage of their journey
  • Partners and organizations dedicated to supporting Canadian entrepreneurs
  • Anyone interested in celebrating Canadian entrepreneurs and their achievements
Many Small Business Week events are free, but some partner‑led events may have a fee. Each event listing clearly indicates whether registration or payment is required.
No. You don’t need to be a BDC client to attend Small Business Week events, they are open to all entrepreneurs and partners across Canada.

Small Business Week includes a mix of: 

  • Virtual events you can attend from anywhere
  • In‑person events hosted in various regions across Canada

This flexible format makes it easier to participate, wherever you’re located.

Yes. Partners and organizations can submit their events to be featured as part of Small Business Week, provided they align with the spirit and objectives of SBW. You can ask for details at info@bdc.ca.

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