On August 25, 2026, BDC announced an expansion of its Pivot to Grow loan to help small businesses absorb cash-flow pressure from new U.S. tariffs imposed August 22, 2026. Eligible Canadian firms can now access financing starting at $250,000, the minimum annual revenue requirement was lowered to $1 million, and the application process simplified; BDC estimates ~5,500 Canadian SMEs across 100+ sub-sectors are directly affected. Loans run up to $5 million with interest-only periods, and the program is available until March 31, 2028.
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BDC expands Pivot to Grow loan for tariff-hit SMEs: financing from $250K, revenue floor cut to $1M
Why this matters for founders
A Canadian founder whose sales are hit by U.S. tariffs (at least 15% of sales from U.S. exports, or a 10%+ tariff-driven revenue drop or cost increase) can apply directly through BDC for liquidity, pivot, or equipment financing. The lower $1M revenue floor and streamlined process make it reachable for earlier-stage exporters than before.
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