Key Takeaways
- The Pivot to Grow Program offers up to $5 million in financing from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to help businesses manage U.S. tariff impacts.
- It’s split into two streams: Liquidity Support (cash flow) and Pivot Support (longer-term adaptation), each with different requirements.
- Baseline eligibility includes $1 million+ in annual revenue, 3 years in business, positive historical cash flow, and at least 15% of sales from U.S. exports.
- Qualifying businesses can get up to 36 months of interest-only payments and up to 60 months to repay.
- The program runs until March 31, 2028, but Liquidity Support automatically ends if the relevant tariffs are repealed or suspended.
What Makes This Program Different
Unlike Ontario’s provincial programs, Pivot to Grow is a federal offering delivered directly through BDC — a Crown corporation that lends to businesses, rather than a grant-making body. Every dollar here is repayable financing, not a non-repayable contribution.
The program addresses two distinct needs, and understanding which one applies to your business matters before you apply.
Liquidity Support vs. Pivot Support
| Liquidity Support | Pivot Support | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Cover an operational cash flow shortfall | Fund longer-term adaptation |
| Trigger | Existing or expected shortfall within 12 months from direct tariff impact | Strengthening competitiveness, supply chain changes, market diversification |
| U.S. export requirement | Minimum 15% of sales, plus tariffs equal to at least 5% of revenue | Minimum 15% of sales, or revenue/cost impact of at least 10% |
| Resilience plan required? | No | Yes, mandatory |
If you’re not sure which applies, BDC’s own FAQ frames it simply: Liquidity Support keeps the lights on; Pivot Support helps you change how the business operates going forward.
Baseline Eligibility
To qualify for financing under this program generally, your business needs:
- To be Canadian-based
- $1 million or more in annual revenue
- 3 years in business
- Historically positive cash flow
- At least 15% of sales derived from exports to the U.S.
Businesses that don’t meet these thresholds may still have options — BDC’s own tariff resource page and regional development agencies (like FedDev Ontario, covered in our Regional Tariff Response Initiative guide) offer alternative paths.
Loan Terms
Terms vary depending on how the financing is used:
- Working capital loans: Up to 36 months interest-only, then up to 60 months to repay
- Equipment financing: Up to 144 months to repay, following an initial principal postponement period
- Prepayment: Allowed anytime with no penalty
These terms are generally more flexible than a standard commercial loan, which is consistent with BDC’s stated role — taking on more risk than a traditional bank to support businesses navigating trade disruption.
What Disqualifies You
A few overlap rules are worth knowing before applying:
- If your business (or an affiliate) already holds a loan under the Steel and Aluminum Support Program, the Liquidity Support stream of the Forestry Support Program, or the Softwood Lumber Guarantee Program, you’re ineligible for Pivot to Grow’s Liquidity Support — and vice versa.
- If you already have an active BDC loan, you’ll need to speak with your account manager rather than apply fresh.
An Important Time Limit
Pivot to Grow runs until March 31, 2028, but there’s a built-in trigger clause: if the U.S. tariffs that came into force on August 19, 2026 are repealed, cancelled, or suspended, the Liquidity Support stream ends automatically on that date. This doesn’t necessarily affect Pivot Support, but it’s a reminder that eligibility here is directly tied to the current tariff environment and could shift with little notice.
How to Apply
- Share information about your business and how U.S. tariffs, related uncertainty, or the current economic downturn have affected it.
- Speak with a BDC representative, who will review your project and outline the documents needed for analysis.
- Receive a tailored loan offer, if approved, based on your financial needs and repayment capacity.
If you’re pursuing Pivot Support, you’ll also need an up-to-date resilience plan showing how your business intends to adapt — BDC’s Advisory Services team can help build one if you don’t already have it.
Where This Fits Alongside Other Programs
Because Pivot to Grow is federal and repayable, it pairs naturally with provincial options. Businesses facing immediate working capital pressure may also want to compare it against the Protect Ontario Financing Program, while those planning longer-term investments might look at the Ontario Together Trade Fund for non-repayable support. Our complete guide to Ontario tariff relief walks through how all these programs compare side by side.
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