Guide · Funding
BDC LIFT: who qualifies and how to use it for AI
The BDC LIFT program is a $500 million loan program from the Business Development Bank of Canada, launched on April 24, 2026, to help small and medium-sized businesses adopt AI, digital tools and automation. Here's what it covers, who qualifies, and what a Manitoba business should know before applying.
Short answer
- LIFT is a loan, not a grant. BDC describes loans from $25,000 to $5 million across two tracks.
- The AI track requires at least $1 million in annual revenue and a mandatory plan from BDC Advisory Services.
- You must use Canadian technology, AI or integration suppliers.
- If you're under $1M in revenue, look at the other AI funding options in Manitoba.
What is the BDC LIFT program?
BDC announced LIFT on April 24, 2026 as a $500 million envelope aimed at more than 1,000 Canadian SMEs. Its goal is to get businesses that have been sitting on the sidelines of AI to invest in it. It funds digital tools, data infrastructure, cybersecurity, Canadian AI applications, and automation or robotics equipment.
BDC describes loans from $25,000 up to $5 million. Businesses can postpone principal payments for up to two years, so the investment can start paying off before full repayments begin.
The two LIFT tracks
| Track | Who it's for | Loan size |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Transformation & AI | Businesses in any industry adopting AI, software, data and cybersecurity tools | Reported up to $2M |
| Productivity & Digitally Enabled Equipment | Manufacturing, construction, transport and warehousing, wholesale, agriculture, engineering and resource sectors buying automation equipment | $350K – $5M, amortized up to 12 years |
Most small businesses we work with, including clinics, contractors, accounting firms and agencies, would fall under the Digital Transformation & AI track.
BDC LIFT eligibility
According to BDC, to qualify for the AI track you need:
- At least $1 million in annual revenue. This is where many small businesses fall out. The equipment track requires $5 million.
- A business in an eligible industry. BDC excludes a few categories, including suppliers of premises, hotels, and trucking companies with fewer than 10 vehicles.
- Sound financial health and a project that fits the program. BDC assesses both case by case.
- A project that uses Canadian technology, AI, digital, integration or equipment suppliers.
BDC's pages don't list a minimum number of years in business. Some third-party summaries mention a profitability requirement. Confirm it directly with BDC before you plan around it.
The BDC LIFT advisor requirement
For the Digital Transformation & AI track, a plan from BDC Advisory Services is mandatory. BDC's advisors assess your digital readiness and build the AI or digital plan that the loan then funds. For the equipment track, you need a plan but can bring your own.
That means the "LIFT advisor" is BDC itself, not an outside consultant. Where an outside firm helps is in the next step: implementing the plan. Installation and integration directly tied to the technology investment are eligible costs, and the supplier must be Canadian.
Interest rate and terms
BDC describes LIFT's rates as preferential. News coverage from launch (BetaKit, The Logic) reported a 2.25% rate when businesses choose Canadian AI solutions or integrators. We couldn't find that figure on BDC's own pages, so treat it as indicative until BDC quotes you.
No part of LIFT is forgivable. It's a loan to be repaid, which is why the project needs a clear return. Our pricing page has typical project costs to help you size a request.
How to apply
- Apply online through BDC's LIFT page, or call BDC at 1-877-232-2269.
- Meet a BDC advisor to assess readiness and build your plan.
- Access financing once the plan and application are approved.
Before step one, it helps to know which processes you want to improve and roughly what they cost you today. That's exactly what our free automation audit produces.
What Manitoba businesses should know
LIFT is a national program with nothing Manitoba-specific. For Manitoba businesses, two things stand out:
- The $1M revenue floor excludes many small firms. If that's you, the Building Up Manitoba Program for training and other programs in our AI funding guide are a better starting point.
- The Canadian-supplier rule favours local implementers. Working with a Manitoba firm for business automation in Winnipeg or AI consulting in Winnipeg fits the program's intent.
This guide summarises public information as of the date above and isn't financial advice. Program terms change. Confirm current details with BDC before applying.