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BDC Data to AI.

AI Adoption Financing & Advisory (Business Development Bank of Canada)

Preferential financing

BDC's modern successor to CDAP: patient financing and structured advisory to help Canadian SMEs turn data into operating AI. Combine with our custom AI work for a funded implementation path.

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Who qualifies

Eligibility checklist.

BDC assesses fit case-by-case. General expectations:

Canadian SME For-profit, Canadian-operated, typically 1–500 employees.
Clear AI use case A defined problem where AI or automation moves a real KPI.
Data readiness You hold, or can realistically collect, the data the use case depends on.
Capacity to operate the outcome Team or partner who will run the system after delivery.
Not eligible

BDC financing is not a grant — it is repayable, but with favorable terms and advisory support. Pair it with SR&ED and IRAP to reduce net cost.

Eligible services

What's covered.

Where we plug into the BDC Data to AI journey.

Custom AI applications Domain-specific copilots, retrieval systems, and automation built on your data.
Data foundation work Warehousing, pipelines, and the structure your AI use case depends on.
Integration & deployment Hooking AI into your existing stack — CRM, ERP, support, ops.
Enablement & handoff Documentation, training, and operating runbooks so your team owns the system.

Process

How to apply.

Typical combined path — BDC advisory + our build.

  1. 1

    AI opportunity mapping

    We run a short discovery to identify high-leverage AI use cases and the data each one requires.

  2. 2

    BDC intake & advisory

    You engage BDC's Data to AI advisory and explore financing options aligned to the selected use case.

  3. 3

    Design & prototype

    We prototype the AI capability against a real slice of your data. You validate impact before scaling spend.

  4. 4

    Production build

    Full build, integration, and deployment — with evaluation harnesses so you can measure real outcomes.

  5. 5

    Operate and iterate

    Monitoring, evaluation, and ongoing improvement. BDC advisors stay engaged on adoption milestones.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Is this a grant?

No — BDC Data to AI centers on financing plus structured advisory. The money is repayable, but the terms are favorable and advisory is included.

How is this different from CDAP?

CDAP was a grant program that has been sunset. BDC Data to AI is the current national pathway for AI adoption — financing-led rather than grant-led, with deeper advisory.

Can I stack BDC financing with SR&ED or IRAP?

Yes. BDC financing covers cash flow while SR&ED (tax credit) and IRAP (non-repayable R&D) reduce net cost. We design the stack up front.

Do I need an in-house data team?

Not necessarily. We can act as your AI and data team end-to-end, then hand off with documentation. Many clients add one internal owner after launch.

Financing · Advisory · Build

Turn the AI conversation into a shipped system.

We scope the use case with you and map the BDC + build plan.

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