BDC Advisory Services — Business Strategy

📋 Eligible Entities - Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in Canada - Sole proprietors with established businesses - Partnerships registered in Canada - Incorporated companies (federal or provincial) - Not-for-profits and social enterprises - Businesses must be actively operating and generating revenue - Home-based businesses are eligible if properly registered ### 💰 Funding Details - Grant Type: Non-repayable advisory services (in-kind or subsidized) - Cost Coverage: BDC typically covers 50–75% of advisory service costs, depending on business size and program stream - No Matching Requirement: Businesses pay only a reduced fee; no cash match typically required - Fee Structure: Varies by service intensity and duration; subsidized rates apply to eligible SMEs - Repayability: Not applicable—advisory services are non-repayable grants or heavily subsidized consulting - Budget Range: Typically $5,000–$25,000+ in subsidized advisory value per engagement ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Business strategy development and refinement - Strategic planning workshops (virtual or on-site) - Coaching and mentoring from BDC-vetted specialists - Market analysis and competitive positioning - Organizational restructuring and process improvement - Leadership and management training - Financial planning and cash flow optimization - Digital transformation strategy - Export readiness and market expansion planning - Succession and growth planning ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Eligibility Verification: Business must meet BDC SME criteria and demonstrate commitment to implementation - Active Participation Required: Owner or senior leadership must actively engage in advisory sessions - Implementation Focus: Advice is action-oriented; businesses expected to implement recommendations post-engagement - Timeline: Advisory engagements typically span 3–6 months with defined milestones - Reporting: Participants may be required to provide progress updates or outcome metrics - No Loan Default: Businesses with outstanding BDC loan arrears may be in