BDC boosts Defence Platform up to $6B after providing $92M in financing since late December, names StrongNorth Fund leader

MONTREAL March 12 2026 GLOBE NEWSWIRE The Business Development Bank of Canada BDC today announced a major expansion of its Defence Platform up to6billion building on strong early demand to support Canadian small and mediumsized enterprises SMEs seizing opportunities in the defence sector Canadas economic and national sovereignty interests are converging at an incredible paceBDCwants to strengthenthe defence ecosystem with a cleartwolayerapproachdirect financial solutionsforbusinessesas announced in Decemberandindirect solutions that offer moretargeted support for the broader ecosystemthat enables thoseentrepreneursThatsthe focus of BDCs second layerthat we will be developing in the coming months said Peter Dawe VicePresident Defence Strategy who leadsBDCs Defence Platform This second layer of support aims to connect Canadian SMEs and startups with priority defence and sovereignty needs in Canada and allied countries focusing on targeted initiatives and partnerships This includes working with incubators accelerators universities and other organizations that support defencefocused businesses connecting them with mission owners buyers and key ecosystem stakeholders and helping companies test and scale their technologies Early results and new partnerships As part of an update on the rollout of its Defence Platform BDC reported that since its launch in December 917 million in financing has already been provided to 16 businesses BDC also reported 16 businesses have engaged its advisory services for defencerelated opportunities Were seeing a strong highquality pipeline of innovative businesses Even as we build out the team were delivering quickly and getting strong feedback from key players in the sector Its a good start but theres so much more work to be done as the real peak demand lies ahead in 2027 and 2028 and were building now to be ready said Dawe BDC is also exploring new partnerships to reach more entrepreneurs and recently announced it is codeveloping a strategic forum with the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal on April 2 focused on strengthening Canadas defence and security ecosystem A new lead for the StrongNorth Fund BDC also announced a key hire within its Defence Platform Announced in December BDCs StrongNorth Fund will be a new 300million venture capital fund dedicated to supporting Canadian earlystage startups developing deep technologies with defencefocused or dualuse applications or strategies Peter Suma will lead the fund as Managing Partner Mr Suma brings more than 25 years of experience in deep tech investing company building and senior leadership across defence relevant technologies including artificial intelligence AI robotics semiconductors and advanced systems Our focus is deliberately practical investing in and scaling homegrown defence and dualuse technologies that will shape the countrys future said Peter Suma Managing Partner of the StrongNorth Fund at BDC Capital The fund will be flexible and mission driven enabling us to support a strong highquality pipeline and ensure our capital delivers tangible longterm value and impact The challenge for Canadian entrepreneurs Canadian entrepreneurs are central to Canadas defence and security ecosystembut face distinct challenges at different stages of growth Earlystage startups developing defencefocussed and dualuse technologies often stall in the valley of death between RampD and commercialization where risk is high and investment is scarce As companies scale many SMEs then face difficulties navigating defence requirements integrating into supply chains and managing long procurement cycles that can stretch five to eight years or more creating cashflow pressure and uncertainty Why BDCs Defence Platform can help BDCs Defence Platform is designed specifically for these realities It provides patientrisk tolerantcapital and specializedexpertisecombining financing advisory services and investmentto help businesses bridge critical gaps and more effectively navigate long procurement timelines and complex processes Byestablishinga strong baseline for the sector the Platform also aims to help shift marketperceptionsand crowdin private investment The expected result is more Canadian firms able to scale integrate into global defence supply chains and contribute to Canadas economic resilience and sovereignty About BDC Canadas bank for small and mediumsized business owners BDC focuses on small and mediumsized business owners providing them financing investment andadvice As Canadas development bank we also support entrepreneurs who dont fit the traditional mold working with a network of partners and help develop underservedmarkets to unlock economic potential Our mission is to build strong resilient businesses that drive Canadas economic growth BDC is a perennial Canadas Top 100 Employer andB Corp certifiedLearn more atbdcca or connect with us onsocial media Media contact mediainfobdcca 1 844 6258321