{"id":107627,"date":"2026-04-24T08:09:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T08:09:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/bdc-launches-lift-getting-canadian-smes-off-the-ai-sidelines\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T08:09:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T08:09:17","slug":"bdc-launches-lift-getting-canadian-smes-off-the-ai-sidelines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/bdc-launches-lift-getting-canadian-smes-off-the-ai-sidelines\/","title":{"rendered":"BDC Launches LIFT: Getting Canadian SMEs off the AI sidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"
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MONTREAL, April 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canada’s small- and medium-sized business owners (SMEs) are missing out on the AI advantage. Only 30% of Canadian SMEs used AI in 2025\u2014yet those businesses were 24% more productive than those that didn\u2019t. And the gap is widening.<\/p>\n

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has launched its new LIFT initiative to help close it, giving entrepreneurs a practical path to adopt AI and compete in a more demanding economy. The goal is clear: supercharge Canadian AI adoption and give SMEs a fighting chance to outpace the competition.<\/p>\n

Breaking down barriers to AI adoption<\/strong><\/p>\n

Too many entrepreneurs know AI matters but are stuck at the starting line. BDC is removing these barriers: LIFT\u2014short for Lead with Innovation and Focus on Technology\u2014pairs eligible business owners with expert AI advisors and offers flexible financing to kickstart their journey. LIFT isn\u2019t for tech experts\u2014it\u2019s designed to support entrepreneurs across the full spectrum, from those just getting started to those ready to scale advanced solutions.<\/p>\n

Fuelling productivity gains for 1,000+ Canadian entrepreneurs<\/strong><\/p>\n

With $500 million earmarked for LIFT, BDC is poised to help over 1,000 SMEs leap into AI, boosting productivity in a way business owners can really feel and delivering concrete impact on their bottom line.<\/p>\n

Boosting Canada\u2019s homegrown tech companies<\/strong><\/p>\n

This new program arrives as Canada asserts its economic sovereignty\u2014building a homegrown tech ecosystem, reducing reliance on foreign technologies, and fostering Canadian innovation from coast to coast. LIFT prioritizes Canadian-developed AI tools and equipment, offering incentives to adopt homegrown solutions\u2014with Canadian AI experts guiding them every step of the way.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hear it all the time: SMEs are stretched thin and finding time for AI is a real challenge. But their competition isn\u2019t waiting. Companies using AI are more productive\u2014and LIFT gets SMEs started fast by removing the barriers and delivering practical, real-world results.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014Isabelle Hudon, President and Chief Executive Officer, BDC<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWith the global economy undergoing rapid transformation, Canadian businesses must be able to adapt quickly to new innovations to stay competitive and seize emerging opportunities. With LIFT, BDC and the Government of Canada are giving entrepreneurs the momentum they need to modernize their operations, boost productivity, and accelerate growth. By providing practical tools, expertise, and targeted financing, this initiative will help strengthen Canada\u2019s economy, energize the innovation ecosystem, and ensure that the benefits of these advancements reach businesses in every region of the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014The Honourable M\u00e9lanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cLIFT is about giving small and medium-sized businesses the tools and support they need to harness AI, boost their productivity today, and thrive as the digital economy accelerates. This is how we ensure Canadian entrepreneurs lead the way\u2014not just keep up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

What the data shows\u2014and why it matters<\/strong><\/p>\n

LIFT is driven by real numbers: if every SME had the same level of technological maturity as the most advanced companies in Canada, GDP could grow by up to 14% according to an upcoming BDC study\u2014underscoring the urgency of action. And the call to action is clear: while AI adoption alone is associated with higher productivity, BDC research shows that overall SME productivity could rise by up to 38% if businesses across the country reached a very high level of digital maturity, reversing a decades-long struggle to keep pace with our G7 peers.<\/p>\n

About LIFT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Designed for businesses ready to scale, LIFT helps eligible Canadian SMEs boost efficiency, resilience, and long-term performance. Start with one project, learn fast, and build unstoppable momentum. It offers:<\/p>\n