EDC — Export Guarantee Program

📋 Eligible Entities - Canadian-owned and controlled companies - Small, medium, and large enterprises (SMEs and corporations) - Businesses with a minimum 2-year operating history - Companies with a solid business plan and viable export strategy - Excludes non-profits, sole proprietors (in most cases), and non-Canadian entities - Must have a relationship with a participating Canadian financial institution (bank or lender) ### 💰 Funding Details - Guarantee Amount: Up to $10 million in loan guarantees per applicant - Structure: EDC guarantees a percentage of the loan borrowed from your bank (typically 60-90% depending on risk profile) - Repayability: This is a guarantee, not a grant—you must repay the underlying loan to your bank on agreed terms - Interest & Fees: Your bank sets interest rates; EDC charges a guarantee fee (typically 1-3% of the guaranteed amount) - No Matching Required: EDC does not require you to provide matching funds - Currency: Loans can be denominated in CAD or foreign currencies ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Working capital for international operations and cash flow management - Accounts receivable financing for export sales - Inventory financing related to export production - Capital equipment purchases to support export capacity - Facility expansion or upgrades for export manufacturing - Technology and software investments for international competitiveness - Supply chain investments tied to export growth ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Bank Approval First: You must secure preliminary approval from a participating lender before EDC processes your application - Application Requirements: Business plan, financial statements (2-3 years), export strategy, and risk assessment documentation - Export Verification: Must demonstrate genuine export intent or active international sales/market development - Ongoing Reporting: Regular financial reporting and updates to both your bank and EDC - Security: Your bank may require personal guarantees, collateral, or first charge on assets - Compliance: Must maintain EDC's underwriting standards throughout the loan term - Timeline: Typical approval process is 4-8 weeks once complete application is submitted -