BDC expands partnerships to help defence companies access opportunities and scale

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire BDC expands partnerships to help defence companies access opportunities and scaleAuthor of the article:HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Oct. 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is expanding its network of partners to help Canadian defence and dual-use companies test their technologies, navigate procurement, reach customers and scale.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountAnnounced today at DEFSEC Atlantic, the new and renewed partnerships connect entrepreneurs with specialized expertise, testing opportunities, investors and industry networks across Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Ontario. Combined with the financing, capital and advisory services offered through BDC’s $6 billion Defence Platform, these partnerships help companies move more quickly from innovation to commercialization.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“Canada has no shortage of defence innovation. The challenge is helping great technologies and products reach customers and scale,” said Peter Dawe, Senior Vice President, Defence Strategy, BDC. “Through these partnerships, we are helping entrepreneurs – whether they are bringing a new solution to market or scaling an established business – move faster, compete globally and strengthen Canada’s defence industrial capacity.”Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againHelping defence innovators move faster from concept to commercializationTo help address this need in Canada, BDC is partnering with Vimy Forge, alongside the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF), to support the second cohort of Vimy Forge’s national defence technology accelerator, launching in Winter 2027.Through the initiative, Canadian defence and dual-use startups and SMEs would gain access to specialized mentorship, connections to defence stakeholders, investors and industry experts. Together, these resources are intended to support entrepreneurs as they validate their technologies, navigate procurement opportunities and scale their businesses.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“Canada has the talent and ingenuity to build globally competitive defence companies,” said Duncan McSporran, Managing Director, Vimy Forge. “What entrepreneurs often need is help bridging the gap between innovation and market adoption. With BDC joining us to support the second cohort of our national accelerator, we can help more Canadian companies access the expertise, connections and opportunities they need to commercialize, grow and contribute to Canada’s defence capacity.”“Canada’s defence innovators have the ideas and talent to compete globally,” said David Myles, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and to the Secretary of State (Nature), and Member of Parliament for Fredericton—Oromocto. “By supporting Vimy Forge, we are helping innovative Canadian companies access the expertise, connections and opportunities they need to bring promising technologies to market, grow their businesses and compete. Working with partners like Vimy Forge, BDC and the Government of New Brunswick will help build a stronger defence innovation ecosystem and create new opportunities for companies here in Atlantic Canada and across the country.”This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.PS Myles spoke on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.Expanding access to expertise, networks and growth opportunitiesBDC is also strengthening partnerships with organizations in Quebec and Ontario that support defence and dual-use companies at different stages of growth:Creative Destruction Lab (CDL): BDC is renewing its support for CDL’s Defence, Critical Minerals and Climate streams, while expanding its collaboration to CDL’s new Space stream.Invest Ottawa: Promotes entrepreneurs’ access to commercialization opportunities through BDC’s role as a Founding Partner of Area X.O‘s Commercialization Acceleration Program, while fostering connections to Ottawa’s growing defence and dual-use innovation ecosystem.Ontario Defence Association (ODA): Through BDC’s role as a founding member, companies can benefit from sector intelligence, executive networking opportunities and connections across Ontario’s defence and security ecosystem.NexDev’s InnoSécur Innovation and Research Hub: Entrepreneurs developing land defence and security solutions can benefit from specialized expertise, testing facilities and strategic partnerships that accelerate the development, validation and deployment of innovative technologies.Naval Quebec: Quebec shipbuilding SMEs will gain access to financing, advisory expertise and industry networks that support innovation, growth and long-term competitiveness in Canada’s marine and naval industries.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Together, these partnerships complement BDC’s $6 billion Defence Platform and help Canadian companies access the resources, relationships and market opportunities they need to grow. By strengthening the pathways from innovation to market adoption, BDC is helping build Canada’s defence industrial capacity and long-term economic resilience.About BDC, Canada’s bank for small- and medium-sized business ownersBDC focuses on small- and medium-sized business owners, providing them financing, investment, and advice. As Canada’s development bank, we also support entrepreneurs who don’t fit the traditional mold working with a network of partners and help develop underserved markets to unlock economic potential. Our mission is to build strong, resilient businesses that drive Canada’s economic growth. BDC is a perennial Canada’s Top 100 Employer and B Corp certified. Learn more at bdc.ca or connect with us on social media. Media contactmediainfo@bdc.ca 1 844 625-8321This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. 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