Happy New Year! Canadian entrepreneurs are the driving force behind our economy—creating jobs, sparking innovation, and strengthening communities. This year is about you: your ideas, your growth, and your resilience.
We know many of you are looking to adopt new technologies, explore new markets, all while navigating uncertainty. We are proud to support you on this journey, and we are here to make your next step easier. For those ready to embrace innovation, our Data to AI Program and the free online course Your AI Journey: From Strategy to Execution offer practical guidance to help you integrate AI into your business. Because technology shouldn’t be reserved for big companies—it should empower every entrepreneur.
We also understand the challenges of volatility. Through our $500M Pivot to Grow envelope, we’re providing financing and advice to businesses affected by U.S. tariffs, while our Softwood Lumber Guarantee Program supports industries facing unique pressures. At the same time, opportunities are emerging in business acquisitions and ownership transfers. Our partnership with First Nations Bank of Canada has launched a $100M initiative to help Indigenous communities acquire established businesses, and our Thrive Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Fund is enabling more than 60 Canadian women to become owners and operators.
For entrepreneurs looking to scale into strategic sectors, our new Defence Platform, with up to $4B in financing and advisory services, is designed to help Canadian businesses enter defence supply chains and bring innovative solutions to market.
Across all of this, one thing is constant: Canada moves forward because you do. Your creativity and determination shape our shared future. At BDC, we’re proud to stand behind you with the tools, financing, and advice you need to succeed.
Here’s to a year of bold moves and lasting impact.
Wishing you a successful and inspiring 2026.
Véronique Dorval
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Véronique brings an impressive 24-year career as a strategic business leader with a track record for driving growth, delivering ambitious transformations and creating a digitally-enabled operating model that is always client focused.
She was appointed BDC’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in August 2022. In this role, she oversees the Financing, Growth & Transition Capital, and Advisory Services business lines, ensuring BDC’s solutions are integrated, effective and efficient for maximum impact on Canadian business owners.
