EDC — Inclusive Trade Investments Program
Highlights
This program is designed for businesses like yours, led by diverse Canadians, to help you grow in global markets. With $200 million committed, it provides equity capital to support your international expansion. This is not a loan; it’s an investment, meaning you won’t have to worry about repayment terms like traditional financing.
Why Apply?
- Equity Capital: Receive funding without the burden of debt.
- Co-Investment: EDC can partner with other venture funds, enhancing your financial backing.
- Market Terms: Investments are made on commercial terms, ensuring fairness and transparency.
Benefits for Your Business
- Growth Support: Accelerate your revenue growth and export potential.
- Diverse Leadership: Gain recognition and support for your diverse management team.
- Easy Qualification: If you’re already raising equity funding, you’re likely to qualify.
By being approved, you’ll gain the financial support needed to scale your business internationally, leveling the playing field and overcoming systemic barriers.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Equity Capital
Repayment Terms:
- No repayment terms as this is an equity investment.
- EDC participates on market terms, co-investing alongside other venture funds.
Eligible Expenses:
- Funds can be used to support international growth.
- Applicable for businesses raising equity funding (Seed to Series B funding rounds).
Use of Funds:
- Funds cannot be used for grants or subsidies.
- Must be used in alignment with EDC’s strategy and corporate standards, including ESG.
Fees:
- No specific fees associated with the program are mentioned.
Qualifications
- Must be a Canadian company.
- Must be owned and/or strategically led at the C-suite level by diverse person(s) (who identify as women, Indigenous, Black or other racialized peoples, LGBTQ2+, or people living with disabilities).
- Diverse members of the C-suite must have equity ownership consistent with other C-suite members.
- Must demonstrate accelerating commercial revenue growth towards C$500,000.
- Must have significant export growth potential.
- Must demonstrate a commitment to establishing a diverse board of directors.
Must be raising, or have recently raised, equity funding (Seed to Series B funding rounds) to support international growth.
Disqualifications:
- Companies not owned or led by diverse persons at the C-suite level.
- Companies without diverse C-suite members having equity ownership consistent with other C-suite members.
- Companies without accelerating commercial revenue growth towards C$500,000.
- Companies without significant export growth potential.
- Companies not committed to establishing a diverse board of directors.
- Companies not raising or having recently raised equity funding for international growth.
Description
This program offers your business a chance to receive equity capital from a $200 million fund. This is specifically for companies founded or led by diverse Canadians, including women, Indigenous, Black, and other underrepresented groups.
You can use this capital to support your business's growth in global markets. Whether you are raising new equity funding or have recently done so, this program can co-invest alongside other venture funds. This means you get the financial backing you need to expand internationally.
The terms are market-based, so you won't receive grants or subsidies, but you will get fair and competitive investment support. This program helps level the playing field, giving your business the boost it needs to overcome systemic barriers and thrive globally.
Program Steps
Create an Account: Log in or sign up for a MyEDC account on the Export Development Canada (EDC) website.
Prepare Documentation: Gather the necessary documents for your application. These include:
- An overview of your company and sector
- Trailing 12 months (TTM) revenue and run rate
- Transaction term sheet, if available
- Use of proceeds and export profile
Complete the Online Application: Fill out the application form on the EDC website. Provide detailed information about your business, including your management team and equity funding status.
Submit Documentation: Upload the prepared documents to support your application. Ensure all information is accurate and complete.
Review and Submit: Double-check all entries and documents for accuracy. Submit your application for review.
Follow Up: After submission, monitor your email and MyEDC account for any communications from EDC. Be prepared to provide additional information if requested.
Await Decision: EDC will assess your application based on their criteria and commercial standards. They will notify you of their decision and any next steps.
Finalize Terms: If approved, discuss and finalize the investment terms with EDC. This may include co-investment or partnership details.
Receive Funds: Once terms are agreed upon, EDC will disburse the funds to support your business's growth in global markets.
