BDC Allocates $1 Billion Under Defence Platform for Canadian Defence Technologies

Insider Brief

• BDC announced $1 billion in new allocations under its existing $6 billion Defence Platform to support Canadian defence and dual-use technology companies.
• The plan includes $500 million for defence-focused venture capital, growth equity and private equity funds, with priorities including AI, cybersecurity, space, quantum technologies and energy systems.
• BDC will add $200 million to StrongNorth, increasing the fund from $300 million to $500 million for early-stage Canadian companies developing defence and dual-use technologies.

PRESS RELEASE — At the Canada Investment Summit 2026, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) announced how it will deploy $1 billion in investments under its existing $6 billion Defence Platform: $500 million across funds focused on defence and dual-use technologies, and an additional $200 million allocation to StrongNorth, bringing the fund from $300 million to $500 million.

These allocations are part of BDC’s $6 billion Defence Platform, which provides Canadian defence and dual-use companies with financing, investment and advisory solutions to grow and compete globally. Today’s announcements clarify how BDC will deploy capital using both direct investments in companies and indirect investments via funds supporting strategically important technologies. The goal is clear: help attract more private capital into the sector.