Productivity and digitally enabled equipment Invest to innovate

With LIFT, you can adopt digitally enabled equipment, robotics and automation with preferential-rate financing1 and consulting.

Turn productivity investments into results

Transform large‑scale upgrades into measurable gains with structured support and capital.

Production workshop for abatement technologies in action

Boost productivity 

Digitally enabled equipment helps businesses work more efficiently and increase productivity.

Natasha Callender, CTO of Bass Installation, working in an office

Invest with clarity

Advice and financing make complex, costly projects easier to plan and implement.

Andrew Harber meets with his employee in the warehouse

Get preferential rates

On both financing and consulting2 for businesses in selected sectors3.

You can finance...

  • Robotics systems
  • Automation systems
  • Automated production equipment
  • Network hardware
  • Connectivity equipment
  • Specialized inspection equipment
  • Advanced specialized equipment
  • Renewable energy equipment
  • Waste-management equipment
  • Installation and integration costs
  • Flexible financing Financing is available for loan amounts ranging from $350K to $5M, with the option to postpone initial capital payments for up to 2 years.
  • More time to repay Loans can be amortized for up to 12 years, offering flexibility as you implement your project.

What your plan must include

Your plan should give you the clarity you need to choose the right technologies and prioritize your investments. It should cover:

Clear decision framework

A structured approach to evaluate options, prioritize investments, and make confident technology decisions.

Right technology choice

Clear recommendations for the most suitable technology or smart equipment based on your objectives and context.

Ready-to-execute plan

Defined implementation activities, timelines, and roles to ensure smooth and coordinated delivery.

Clear value and costs

An analysis of expected benefits alongside a realistic estimate of total project costs.

Download the checklist to see what a strong productivity plan includes. BDC Advisory Services can help you build one.

Minimum requirements

  • Up-to-date plan for productivity improvements
  • Canadian-based businesses with at least $5M in revenue
  • Only these sectors are eligible: manufacturing; transport and warehousing; wholesale; construction; agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting; architectural, engineering and related services; mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction.
  • Demonstrate financial capacity to support the investment
  • Investment focused on digitally enabled equipment or automation that improves productivity

With LIFT, benefit from preferential rates when you work with a qualified Canadian supplier or integrator for your productivity project.

Resources

Access free guides, articles and tools on technology and productivity to set you up for success. 

Technology

Digital Transformation – Modernize your business

Course | 60-75 minutes

Frequently asked questions

Both. Preferential rate financing supports investments in smart equipment, robotics, and automation. Consulting is available if you need support developing or strengthening your plan.

LIFT is for Canadian businesses with an annual revenue of $5M, investing in productivity, enhancing equipment. Eligibility also depends on your financial health, industry, and the nature of your project.

Developing a plan with BDC Advisory Services is an important step, but financing approval remains subject to BDC’s standard eligibility criteria.

Yes. Your advisor can help you determine whether a supplier is Canadian when selecting AI, software, hardware, or digital service providers and integrators.
Yes, a plan is required. BDC Advisory Services can help you build a plan if you don’t have one or refine an existing plan.

For Productivity and digitally enabled equipment, LIFT is available to businesses with an annual revenue of $5M or more in the following sectors only:

  • Manufacturing
  • Transport and warehousing
  • Wholesale
  • Construction
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
  • Architectural, engineering and related services
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

The amount depends on your revenue, project scope, business profile and your company’s financial strength. In some cases, financing can exceed the base cost of equipment to include eligible implementation expenses, subject to review and approval.

Yes. BDC offers other financing and consulting options to support digital transformation and equipment investments. A BDC advisor can help you determine the best solution for your needs.

Digitally enabled equipment has built-in smart capabilities that can collect, process, connect, or share data to improve productivity, efficiency, maintenance, or decision-making. Here are some examples of digitally enabled equipment for each industry eligible for the Productivity path. This list is not exhaustive; our experts can assess your needs and provide you with more information related to your project.

Industries Digitally enabled equipment examples  
Manufacturing
  • CNC machines with digital controls and sensors         
  • IoT-enabled machinery for real-time monitoring
  • Automated production lines (PLC + HMI interfaces)
  • Digital quality inspection systems
  • Industrial robots with connectivity
Transportation and warehousing
  • Warehouse automation systems (RFID/barcode)
  • Digitally integrated inventory systems
  • Fleet telematics systems        
  • Automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS)
Construction
  • GPS-enabled heavy equipment
  • Smart surveying and digital mapping tools
  • Equipment integrated into project management platforms
  • IoT-enabled machinery tracking systems
Agriculture
  • Precision agriculture equipment (GPS tractors) 
  • Smart irrigation systems
  • Livestock monitoring systems (sensors)
  • Drones for crop monitoring
Wholesale
  • Automated order fulfillment systems
  • ERP-integrated inventory equipment
  • Smart picking/packing systems
  • Barcode/RFID logistics tools
Mining & Oil/Gas
  • Remote monitoring systems
  • Sensor-enabled drilling equipment
  • Predictive maintenance platforms
  • Connected heavy equipment
Engineering Services
  • Digital prototyping tools
  • Connected CNC or fabrication systems
  • Measurement systems with data reporting

Ready to apply?