BDC Defence Platform Powering your growth in defence

Seize opportunities to grow, diversify, and innovate in the defence sector with a partner who understands its unique requirements.

Confidential. No obligation. Conditions apply.

Up to $6 billion mobilized to support Canada's defence ecosystem

A national mandate in the service of economic sovereignty

Dedicated experts championing innovative and ambitious businesses

A powerful engine for business growth

BDC boosts Defence Platform up to $6B

For businesses ready to help build the future

BDC offers the financing, capital and advice your business needs to scale, innovate and contribute to a more resilient Canada.

Already active in defence

Businesses already supplying defence or security markets looking to scale and expand their operations.

Looking to diversify

Companies in sectors adjacent to defence exploring opportunities in the ecosystem.

Fuelling innovation

Early-stage businesses developing defence or dual-use technologies.

The defence industry at a glance

The government's Defence Industrial Strategy has committed $81.8 billion to support the nation's domestic defence capacity over the next decade.1

125,000 jobs

The government's investments in defence will create high-quality jobs across the Canadian economy.

92% are SMEs

A majority of Canadian businesses working in defence are SMEs. They account for 40% of all sector employment.


The defence industry is entering a new era

Canada’s defence industry is at a pivotal moment and companies like yours are being called on to strengthen our sovereign capabilities, national resilience, and global competitiveness.

Is defence right for my business?

With the right capabilities, readiness, and long‑term intent, companies can successfully expand into the defence market.

Defence doesn’t care about labels

It cares that you can meet quality, traceability, cybersecurity, and delivery requirements reliably, repeatedly, and under constraint.

You may already be well positioned

Modern defence includes core strengths many businesses already have, such as risk awareness and clear processes.

A strong fit for many sectors

Precision machining, advanced materials, automation, digital and embedded systems, AI, sensors, robotics, cybersecurity, data management, and more.

Seize opportunities in the defence sector

BDC's Defence Platform combines financing, advisory services, and venture capital to help Canadian businesses scale, strengthen capabilities, and launch new technologies to support Canada's defence priorities.

  • Financing Tailored loans to enable your business to scale, diversify and participate in the value chains of major defence contracts.
  • Advisory Services Hands-on, expert guidance to develop or scale the capabilities required to meet government and industry standards.
  • Investments Direct investments in technologies with defence-focused or dual-use applications as well as fund investments in private funds aligned with Canada’s defence and national sovereignty priorities.

Connect with BDC to discuss how your business can align with Canada’s defence priorities.

Events to guide you

We're present at events across the country to answer your questions and guide you to the best solution.

Conference

CANSEC

MULTI-DAY

27 May

7:00 a.m.
Ottawa (ON)
Learn more
Conference

MASS (Maritime & Arctic Security & Safety Conference)

MULTI-DAY

13 July

9:00 a.m.
St John's (NL)
Learn more

Resources

Landing Zones Canada secures first investment from BDC

BDC supports Canada’s defence innovation with the first investment from its new StrongNorth Defence Fund.

Read press release

New investments in defence

BDC invests in semiconductors and aerospace, becoming CDL’s first global Defence partner.

Read press release

Seizing opportunities in defence

Our experts share tips to help businesses enter the defence supply chain and win customers.

Read blog post

From buyout pressure to global defence leader

How one entrepreneur overcame cash‑flow challenges to scale in a complex defence market with the right financing partner.

Read article

Frequently asked questions

BDC helps businesses grow and innovate with flexible financing to scale, expert advice to become contract-ready, and connections to partners across the defence ecosystem.
Eligible companies are those already operating in the defence space, as well as those that have capabilities or technologies that can be adapted to the sector (called dual-use).
BDC finances Canadian-based companies of all sizes. Our base requirements are that you have between 12-24 months of operations and be generating revenue.
Yes. We offer financing and venture capital investments to help you build the capabilities needed to adapt your technologies to the defence sector.
BDC supports companies with financing to scale and innovate and expert advice to meet industry and government requirements. We can also connect you with ecosystem partners to help you in your journey to entering the defence supply chain. We do not expressly match businesses with defence contractors.
Dual-use is a term applied to technologies, goods, services and software that have a primary use in the commercial civilian market but also have a defence, security or intelligence use case. Dual-use can also define companies that sell to both civilian and defence markets. These companies pursue a dual-use strategy.
BDC defines the defence sector as the ecosystem of industries and organizations involved in the development, production, and support of technologies, systems, and services that contribute to a nation's defence and security capabilities. This can include industries such as aerospace, artificial intelligence, quantum, critical minerals, advanced energy, electronics, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology and more.

Ready to explore your options in defence?

Conditions apply