On September 15, 2026, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) announced it will deploy $1 billion under its $6-billion Defence Platform: $500 million into venture, growth-equity and private-equity funds focused on defence and dual-use tech, plus a $200-million top-up that grows the StrongNorth Fund from $300 million to $500 million for early-stage deep-tech founders. StrongNorth backs Canadian startups in AI, autonomy, cyber, space, quantum, advanced materials and energy with defence or dual-use applications.
Home › Founders News › Gov & Employment
BDC allocates first $1B of its $6B Defence Platform to fund Canadian startups
Why this matters for founders
Founders building AI, cyber, space, quantum or other dual-use deep tech should pitch StrongNorth and BDC's fund-of-funds partners now, since BDC targets peak capital demand for 2027-2028 and is actively deploying patient capital tuned to long procurement cycles.
Source: BDC (GlobeNewswire release)
Related updates
More that helps you.
UK expands Growth Guarantee Scheme, adds £500m ENABLE line for IP-rich startups
On 13 July 2026 the government expanded the British Business Bank's Growth Guarantee Scheme, raising maximum loan terms from 6 to 10 years and turnover eligibility from £45m to £54…
Singapore adds S$1B to Startup SG Equity, now covering growth-stage deep tech
EnterpriseSG confirmed a S$1 billion top-up to the Startup SG Equity (SSGE) co-investment scheme, announced at Budget 2026 and the MTI Committee of Supply 2026. For the first time…
Singapore adds S$1B to Startup SG Equity, extends co-investment to growth-stage deep tech
In a 2 March 2026 media release, EnterpriseSG confirmed a S$1 billion top-up to the Startup SG Equity (SSGE) scheme, under which EnterpriseSG and EDB co-invest alongside qualified…
China launches Phase 2 of National SME Fund for early-stage hard-tech startups
On 3 September 2026, MIIT and nine other agencies confirmed a second phase of the National SME Development Fund alongside China's 15th Five-Year SME development plan. Phase 1 (esta…
Get briefs like this tuned to you.
In the app, Founder Briefs are personalized to your country, industry and stage, and you can save the ones that matter.
See plans →
Keep exploring
Related across the site
TermGross MarginThe percentage of revenue left after the direct costs of delivering your product or service, a core measure of business quality.TermMRR / ARR (Recurring Revenue)Monthly and annual recurring revenue: the predictable subscription income a business earns each month or year.Case studyFalguni NayarNykaaCase studyJack MaAlibabaCase studyReginald F. LewisTLC Beatrice InternationalChecklistFind real grants and free business helpGovernments offer loans, grants, and free advisors that most founders never claim. This checklist shows where the real support is and how to apply without wasting weeks.