BDC Allocates $1 Billion to Strengthen Canadian Defence Sector

MONTREAL, Sept. 15, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has announced a significant investment of $1 billion under its Defence Platform, aimed at bolstering Canada’s defence and dual-use technology sector. This move is part of BDC’s broader strategy to support the growth and competitiveness of Canadian defence companies, aligning with the nation’s security and economic priorities.

BDC will deploy the $1 billion through two key initiatives. First, $500 million will be allocated to venture capital, growth equity, and private equity funds focused on defence and dual-use technologies. The first investment in this fund is in Intrepid Growth Partners' inaugural $525 million fund, which targets high-growth artificial intelligence companies across Canada, the UK, the US, and Europe. The areas of focus for this fund include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space, advanced materials, quantum technologies, and energy systems.

The second initiative involves an additional $200 million allocation to the StrongNorth Fund, bringing its total to $500 million. This fund will continue to support early-stage companies developing deep technologies with defence-focused or dual-use applications. Areas of focus for StrongNorth include artificial intelligence, autonomy, cyber, secure communications, space, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), advanced materials, and energy.

Isabelle Hudon, President and CEO of BDC, emphasized the importance of supporting Canadian entrepreneurs who are developing critical technologies. "Canadian entrepreneurs are developing technologies that are increasingly important to Canada's security, resilience, and economic growth. With our Defence Platform, BDC is using its capital and expertise to help these companies innovate, scale, and reach new markets, while helping build a stronger investment ecosystem for Canada's defence and dual-use sector."

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, highlighted the significance of these investments. "Canada’s defence companies are developing the technologies that strengthen our economic security and support our Armed Forces and allies in an increasingly complex world. Through BDC’s $1 billion investment, we are attracting private capital, helping Canadian firms scale and compete globally, and reinforcing Canada’s long-term economic sovereignty and resilience."

The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, underscored the importance of building a strong defence industrial base. "Canada’s security and prosperity depend on our ability to build more of what we need here at home. That means strengthening our defence industrial base, backing Canadian innovation, and giving our companies the ability to scale. By mobilizing more private capital into the sector, we are turning Canadian innovation into defence capability, strengthening our sovereign capacity, and ensuring our Armed Forces have what they need to defend Canada."

These investments are part of BDC’s broader Defence Platform, which provides Canadian defence and dual-use companies with financing, investment, and advisory solutions to grow and compete globally. The goal is to attract more private capital into the sector, support the growth of innovative companies, and strengthen Canada’s defence innovation ecosystem.