Entrepreneurs across British Columbia with established growth momentum—typically generating $5 million+ in revenue, demonstrating capacity and desire to scale, and focused on innovation and export—can now access a powerful suite of supports through the Accelerated Growth Service (AGS) ISED Canada+3ISED Canada+3Government of Canada+3.
Delivered in part by BDC, alongside Innovation Canada and a network of government partners, AGS offers a single point of access: an Innovation Advisor who leads a tailored multidisciplinary team to help entrepreneurs navigate and accelerate government programming across financing, advisory, export and R&D services.
💡 Why AGS Matters to BC Enterprises
A large-scale evaluation by Statistics Canada of AGS clients from 2017–2019 identified clear performance advantages over comparable non‑clients, including:
3–9 percentage‑point higher revenue growth within one year, and up to 5–8 points higher after three years
1–2 point boosts in employment growth
R&D spending growth up to 12 points greater
Increases in profit and exports-as‑%‑of‑revenue in most cohorts Statistics Canada+1Statistics Canada+1
These are meaningful gains that compound impact over time—especially in innovation‑driven sectors where BC consistently excels.
BC Companies That Have Benefited from AGS
While publicly accessible case studies often cover national successes, several BC‑based businesses have leveraged AGS‑linked support alongside BDC, Export Development Canada, NRC‑IRAP and other partners:
A&K Robotics: Though primarily funded through B.C. and federal innovation programs, the company’s CEO cites AGS‑style support models that helped them land major test deployments at YVR and marine ports under the Integrated Marketplace initiative (delivered with Innovate BC)—showcasing how coordinated support can springboard commercialization into global markets Wikipedia+10BC Gov News+10Government of British Columbia+10Mendix+8Government of British Columbia+8ISED Canada+8.
MarineLabs: Based in BC, MarineLabs partnered with Innovate BC through Integrated Marketplace to accelerate product development, team growth, and export-readiness. Their success reflects the same collaborative “partner‑at‑the‑table” model central to AGS outcomes BC Gov News.
ThinkOn, Vitacore and Mariner Partners: While headquartered outside BC, these firms illustrate the kind of outcomes AGS enables: ThinkOn expanded internationally and landed recognition in Deloitte’s Fast 50/500; Vitacore ramped sustainable PPE production and penetrated the U.S.; Mariner Partners secured pilot funding and large contracts for its carbon‑cutting sensor technology—all after working with Innovation Advisors to navigate programs such as NRC‑IRAP, EDC financing and provincial support Easly+1ISED Canada+1.
These examples demonstrate the transformative role of advisory coordination—especially when combined with BDC’s loan products and Invest Canada services—enabling BC companies in sectors such as cleantech, robotics, and digital solutions to scale with confidence.
Eligibility at a Glance
To be considered for AGS support, BC firms typically:
Are incorporated in Canada
Have $5 million+ in annual revenue and a demonstrable history of growth
Have a committed management team, growth mindset and capacity to scale
Are investing in innovation, export, or technology adoption
Can allocate time and resources to collaborate with an Innovation Advisor team Mendix+5Government of British Columbia+5LinkedIn+5ISED Canada+1ISED Canada+1Government of Canada
Once accepted, each firm is paired with an Innovation Advisor who assembles a cross‑government team to build and implement a growth action plan connected to tailored funding, advisory, and export services.
Meet the Key Partners Behind AGS
AGS success depends on collaboration between federal, provincial and non‑profit organizations. Key agencies include:
| Partner Organization | Role |
|---|---|
| Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (Innovation Canada) | Oversees the AGS program and leads connections across government supports Government of CanadaGovernment of Canada+2ISED Canada+2BDC.ca+2 |
| Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) | Provides tailored financing, growth advisory, and capital investments; supports inclusion of underrepresented founders BDC.caBDC.ca |
| Export Development Canada (EDC) | Facilitates export-related support, including financing, bond surety, insurance and foreign market expertise Government of CanadaGovernment of British Columbia |
| National Research Council – IRAP (NRC IRAP) | Funds and advises on R&D and technology innovation projects Government of British Columbia |
| Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) | BC-specific regional agency offering capital, mentorship and export supports Government of British Columbia |
| Innovate BC | BC Crown agency delivering innovation programs (e.g. Integrated Marketplace, Venture Acceleration Program) aligned with AGS principles BC Gov NewsGovernment of British ColumbiaWikipedia |
Summary: How AGS Accelerates Impact in BC
Clears a path through government complexity by assembling a coordinated advisory team.
Delivers measurable outcomes—better growth in revenue, hiring, R&D and exports.
Reduces friction and saves time, freeing entrepreneurs to focus on execution.
Connects BC companies to tailored funding and export/international opportunities.
Leverages strong provincial innovation ecosystem, from Innovate BC to PacifiCan.
Want to Learn More or Apply?
Reach out to AGS via Innovation Canada—you can complete an intake form online or call the AGS contact team (1‑833‑201‑4358 in Canada). If you already work with BDC or PacifiCan, they can refer you to AGS.
By integrating hands‑on advisory with financing and export expertise, the Accelerated Growth Service empowers BC entrepreneurs to scale with speed, confidence, and sustained impact.
Useful Links to Partners
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (Innovation Canada, AGS) – innovation.isde‑isde.canada.ca/…/accelerated‑growth‑service
Business Development Bank of Canada – www.bdc.ca
Export Development Canada – www.edc.ca
National Research Council – IRAP – nrc.canada.ca/en/irap
Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) – www.canada.ca/en/pacific-economic-development.html
Innovate BC – innovatebc.ca
By combining expert guidance, strategic matchmaking, and funding facilitation, AGS supports BC’s high-growth entrepreneurs in accelerating innovation, job creation, and export traction—fostering economic prosperity province-wide.