Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Stream
Fuel your growth with up to $500,000 in repayable funding that covers 50% of eligible project costs for Northern Ontario SMEs. This is a loan you must repay, so plan your cash flow accordingly. Verified against the official source on July 2, 2026; funding may be fully allocated, so confirm before applying.
How we verify funding records →
“Applicants are eligible to receive up to 50 percent of eligible and supported project costs.”
Before you spend a dollar
You must obtain written approval from FedNor before spending a single dollar; costs incurred before the eligibility date are not eligible for reimbursement.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Not sure if you qualify?
Get a free, 2-minute read on whether this program fits your business. No obligation.
Check your fit →Is this for you?
- You are an incorporated SME or Indigenous business based in Northern Ontario.
- You have been operating for at least two years with a sustainable business model.
- You are ready to invest in specific growth projects like new equipment, technology, or market expansion.
Probably not the right fit if
- You run a retail or service-based business, as these sectors are explicitly excluded.
- You are a smaller startup or entrepreneur, who should look at Regional Innovation Ecosystems streams instead.
- You have already spent money on the project before getting written approval, since prior costs are ineligible.
How much you'd realistically get
Up to $500,000 per project, covering up to 50% of eligible costs.
What may be supported
- Purchase of machinery, equipment, and infrastructure.
- Technology demonstration, adoption, adaptation, and skills development.
- Process re-engineering and productivity improvement.
- Market diagnostics, development, and expansion.
- Integration in domestic and global value chains.
- Building high-performance teams and adopting best management practices.
What's excluded or restricted
- Retail and service-based businesses
- Regular maintenance and/or ongoing operation costs
- Regularly scheduled capital expenditures and/or asset replacement
- Refinancing of an existing debt
- Costs of amortization and goodwill
- Acquisition of land and buildings
- Basic research
- The purchase of any assets for more than the fair market value of the said asset
- Costs for which the applicant has entered into a legal commitment/incurred prior to the eligibility date
How applying works
Effort: involvedYou must contact a FedNor officer to discuss your proposal before applying, then submit a detailed application via the Client Portal. The process requires demonstrating financial capacity, managerial capability, and market demand.
- 01Contact a FedNor officer to discuss your proposal and confirm budget availability (strongly recommended).
- 02Ensure your business is incorporated and has at least two years of operations.
- 03Create an account or sign in to the FedNor Client Portal using GCKey or Canadian online banking.
- 04Prepare documentation proving financial capacity, managerial capability, and market demand.
- 05Submit the application via the FedNor Client Portal.
- 06Wait for written approval before incurring any eligible costs.
Who to ask: 1-877-333-6673 (FedNor Officer or Portal Support); fednorcrmsupport-soutiencrmdefednor@fednor.gc.ca (Portal questions); https://fednor.canada.ca/en/contact-us/fednor-officers (Officer directory)
Documents commonly required
- Proof of incorporation and legal entity status.
- Financial statements demonstrating capacity to complete the project and repay the contribution.
- Detailed project plan outlining eligible costs, timeline, and expected outcomes.
- Evidence of market demand and potential for growth/diversification.
How BBN Labs helps
- BBN designs the production technology adoption your project funds — inventory, ERP and automation systems that lift throughput — and manages the rollout end to end.
- BBN builds your website and e-commerce store, turning the funding into a direct sales channel that expands your reach beyond Northern Ontario.
- BBN sets up your Local SEO and Google Business Profile so new customers can find your scaled-up business when they search online.
- BBN designs the automation and AI workflows that re-engineer your processes, cutting manual work so your team produces more with the same hours.
- BBN coordinates the machinery and equipment your project funds, bringing in the right trades so you deal with one team instead of five.
What to know before you count on it
- This is a repayable contribution, not a grant; you must pay it back in full, though terms are negotiated during the agreement phase.
- Repayment normally begins no later than one year following project completion, so you need cash flow to manage the debt service.
- Budget availability is limited due to high demand, so early engagement with an officer is critical.
- Excluded costs include land, buildings, regular maintenance, amortization, goodwill, and any assets purchased above fair market value.
What are your odds?
Discretionary and relationship-based; success depends on a strong, well-documented plan and early discussion with a FedNor officer due to limited budget availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is this money taxable?
Because it is a repayable contribution (a loan-like instrument), it is typically not considered taxable income, but confirm with your accountant.
Can I use this for regular operating costs?
No. Regular maintenance, ongoing operation costs, and regularly scheduled capital expenditures are excluded. Only incremental, project-specific costs are eligible.
Do I need to be incorporated?
Yes. You must be an incorporated SME or an Indigenous business/organization. Sole proprietorships and smaller startups are not eligible for this specific stream.
When do I start repaying?
Repayment normally begins no later than one year following project completion. Specific terms are determined during the contribution agreement development.
Related BBN services
Automation & AI Workflows
Follow-ups, reminders, lead routing and reporting that run themselves. Practical automation without the AI theatre.
Local SEO & Google Business Profile
Show up when nearby customers search: accurate profiles, real local content and reviews handled honestly.
Branding, Print & Promotional Materials
Logos, brand guidelines, menus, cards and print that match your storefront. One consistent identity everywhere.
Business Websites
Fast, search-ready websites your customers can actually use. Built, hosted and maintained by one accountable team.
What you can combine it with
Confirm on the official page if this can be stacked with other federal or provincial programs, as double-dipping rules may apply.
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Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Record last updated July 3, 2026; last verified July 2, 2026 against the official source. Source: official program page.