British Columbia Government Business Grants
BC is unique: it combines provincial funding from Innovate BC with federal "PacifiCan" dollars. Whether you are a Vancouver tech startup or a forestry company in Prince George, there is a specific stream for you.
The "Green & Tech" Focus
Unlike Alberta (Energy) or Ontario (Manufacturing), British Columbia's funding landscape is dominated by two themes: Clean Technology and Digital Innovation. If your business reduces greenhouse gases or exports software, you have a much stronger alignment with provincial priorities compared to other sectors.
Which BC Agency is for You?
For Tech Startups, R&D, and SaaS companies building IP.
For Industrial businesses reducing emissions or adopting electric fleets.
For Film, Music, Books, and Interactive Media creators.
For established businesses expanding operations or exports.
BC Exclusive: The 'IP' Advantage
British Columbia runs the unique "Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy." If you apply for Innovate BC programs, showing that you own your IP (patents, trademarks) can be a significant ranking factor. They want to fund companies that keep wealth in BC, not just those that import tech.
Top 3 BC Grant Programs
The central hub for tech funding. Their "Ignite" program offers up to $300,000 for R&D projects giving you a massive runway. Unlike loans, this is non-repayable, provided you can match a portion of the funds (often 1:3).
Also: The Digital Skills Youth Internship
Need a developer? Innovate BC often covers up to 100% of a student's salary for 4 months. This is the easiest "first grant" for many startups.
If your business has vehicles (delivery vans, trucks), CleanBC is practically giving away money. They offer substantial rebates for switching to EV fleets and installing chargers.
Stacking Opportunity
You can often stack CleanBC rebates with federal iZEV incentives. This can reduce the cost of a commercial electric van by up to $15,000+ combined.
Formerly part of Western Economic Diversification, PacifiCan is now BC-specific. Their "Business Scale-Up and Productivity" (BSP) stream offers interest-free loans up to $5M. Yes, it's a loan, but 0% interest with no payments for the first year is incredible leverage.
Regional BC Focus
Extra points if you are in:
- The Kootenays
- Northern BC
- Vancouver Island (North)
BC Grant Strategy
Need to choose between Innovate BC vs PacifiCan? We can help map your funding roadmap.
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