ACOA — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Business Scale-up and Productivity
Get interest-free capital to scale your Atlantic Canadian business and boost productivity. This is a repayable contribution, so you must pay it back over time, and you need to confirm specific terms with an officer before spending.
Before you spend a dollar
Written approval is typically mandatory before you incur any eligible costs; do not spend money until you have a signed contribution agreement.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Not sure if you qualify?
Get a free, 2-minute read on whether this program fits your business. No obligation.
Check your fit →Is this for you?
- You operate a business in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador.
- You are a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, co-operative, or Indigenous-owned business looking to expand or adopt new technology.
- You need capital for productivity improvements or market expansion and can manage a repayment schedule without interest charges.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are located outside of Atlantic Canada, as this program is strictly for the Atlantic region.
- You are looking for a grant that does not need to be paid back, since this is a repayable contribution, not free money.
- You are a non-profit organization focused on regional innovation ecosystems, because your funding stream and requirements differ from standard business scale-up.
How much you'd realistically get
Specific dollar amounts and percentages are not published; confirm the maximum contribution and eligible cost share with your ACOA officer.
What may be supported
- Scaling up operations or expanding into new markets.
- Adopting new technologies to improve productivity.
- Creating new products or services.
- Improving operational efficiency and global competitiveness.
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou must contact an officer first, then complete a detailed online application via MyACOA with financial statements and project plans.
- 01Contact your nearest ACOA office to discuss your project and confirm eligibility.
- 02Register or log in to MyACOA at acoa-apeca.canada.ca.
- 03Create a new application by clicking '+ New Application'.
- 04Complete the Organizational Profile and Project Information modules.
- 05Upload all required supporting documents, including financial statements and project plans.
- 06Submit the application online via MyACOA.
Who to ask: Phone: 1-888-576-4444; Email: bis-sie@acoa-apeca.gc.ca; Contact Us Page: https://www.canada.ca/en/atlantic-canada-opportunities/corporate/contact-us.html
Before you apply
Your lender will want to see what the money buys
A written quote for the project makes your application concrete and shows the lender exactly where the money goes. BBN Labs works with you on this: we prepare a quote for the work this program funds — scope, costs and timelines you can put straight into your application. Free, no obligation.
Get my quote for this program →Documents commonly required
- Incorporation documents or proof of business registration.
- Recent financial statements.
- Detailed project description or business plan.
- Quotes from vendors or contractors for eligible costs.
- Permits or approvals required for the project.
How BBN Labs helps
- BBN builds your website and e-commerce store to expand into new markets, giving you a digital storefront that captures customers 24/7 and grows your reach beyond the local area.
- BBN sets up automation and AI workflows to improve operational efficiency, letting you handle more orders with less manual work and boosting your global competitiveness.
- BBN designs digital tools for new products and services, helping you create innovative offerings that attract high-growth potential customers and scale your operations effectively.
- ACOA expects strict adherence to specific steps; BBN helps you manage the process so you avoid costly mistakes.
What to know before you count on it
- It is a loan, not a grant: you must repay the full amount over time, though it is interest-free.
- Cash flow pressure: reimbursement timing is not stated, so you may need to fund your share of the project upfront and wait for repayment.
- Discretionary approval: there is no automatic qualification; you must discuss your project with an ACOA officer first.
- Excluded costs are not listed in the published program details: confirm with ACOA which expenses (such as land, vehicles, or marketing) are ineligible before budgeting.
What are your odds?
Approval is discretionary and relationship-based; a strong, well-documented business plan and clear productivity goals improve your chances.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay interest on this contribution?
No, the repayable contribution is interest-free, but you must repay the principal amount according to the schedule in your agreement.
Can I apply if I am a non-profit?
Yes, but non-profits typically qualify under the Regional Innovation Ecosystems stream, which may have different terms and eligibility criteria than the Business Scale-up stream.
What documents do I need to apply?
You will need incorporation documents, financial statements, a detailed project description or plan, quotes, and permits. Confirm the exact list with your ACOA officer.
Is this program open right now?
The intake status is not explicitly stated, but the program appears to operate on a rolling basis. Contact your nearest ACOA office to confirm current availability.
Related BBN services
Local SEO & Google Business Profile
Show up when nearby customers search: accurate profiles, real local content and reviews handled honestly.
Branding, Print & Promotional Materials
Logos, brand guidelines, menus, cards and print that match your storefront. One consistent identity everywhere.
Automation & AI Workflows
Follow-ups, reminders, lead routing and reporting that run themselves. Practical automation without the AI theatre.
Cybersecurity & Privacy Readiness
Two-factor logins, backups, access control, email security and privacy basics: the unglamorous work that keeps you in business.
What you can combine it with
Confirm with ACOA if this contribution can be stacked with other federal or provincial grants, as double-dipping rules often apply.
Related programs
BDC Financing — Start-up
Up to $150,000
BDC Start-up Financing provides the capital you need to turn your business plan into reality.
Checked 6 days ago
Canada Small Business Financing Program
Up to $1,150,000
This program makes it easier to get a business loan by having the government share the lending risk with your bank or credit union.
Checked 6 days ago
CBDC Innovation Loan
Up to $150,000
Boost your productivity and grow your rural Atlantic Canadian business by financing new technology, products, or services.
Checked 6 days ago
Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Record last updated ; last verified 6 days ago with the official source. Source: official program page.