If you’re thinking about using BDC Advisory Services, you probably want to know how much they cost. There isn’t a single price list. BDC offers a mix of free, subsidized, and fee-based consulting. The price depends on your business needs, the size of the project, and your eligibility.
It’s important to understand how these costs work, especially if you want to use grants or government support to help pay for them.
BDC Advisory Services are provided by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). BDC is a federal Crown corporation. These services help Canadian businesses get expert advice for growing, becoming more efficient, or handling big changes.
BDC offers different types of support, and the costs vary depending on the service you choose.
Some BDC Advisory Services are free, especially at the beginning. These include:
These free services help BDC learn about your business challenges before they suggest more in-depth help.
Many BDC Advisory Services are partially subsidized. This means BDC pays for part of the cost, and your business pays the rest.
Here’s what you should know:
BDC does not have fixed rates. Each project is priced based on:
For bigger projects, BDC offers paid consulting. These projects include:
These projects can last several weeks or even months. BDC gives you a detailed proposal with a custom price before any work begins.
No, you do not need a BDC loan to use BDC Advisory Services.
However:
Eligibility is based on being a Canadian business that wants expert advice. You do not have to be borrowing from BDC.
Many businesses don’t realize they can get help with these costs.
BDC Advisory Services are not grants, but you may be able to include the costs as eligible expenses in other government funding programs, depending on the rules.
Examples of covered expenses include:
If you want to see what programs might help you pay for BDC consulting, tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you quickly filter options by province and industry.
1. Thinking all BDC Advisory Services are free
Only the first steps are free. Most in-depth consulting costs money, even if subsidized.
2. Asking for pricing before a needs assessment
BDC needs to understand your business before giving a quote. Skipping this step makes it harder to get accurate pricing.
3. Not planning for your share of the cost
Even with subsidies, you’ll need to pay part of the project cost. Make sure to budget for this.
4. Forgetting to check for grant support
Some businesses pay full price without checking if grants could help cover consulting fees.
Q: Are BDC Advisory Services free for small businesses?
Some early-stage services are free. Most consulting projects have a cost, which depends on the type of help and available subsidies.
Q: How much should I budget for BDC Advisory Services?
There is no set price. Costs depend on how long the project takes, how complex it is, and what expertise is needed. BDC will give you a quote before starting.
Q: Are BDC Advisory Services considered government-funded consulting?
Yes. BDC is a federal Crown corporation, and many services are subsidized to make expert advice more affordable for Canadian businesses.
Q: Can startups use BDC Advisory Services?
Yes. Startups and early-stage businesses can qualify, especially if they plan to grow or need help with business challenges.
Q: How long do BDC consulting projects last?
It depends. Some projects last a few weeks, others can take months. The length is based on your business needs.
BDC Advisory Services can help your business grow or solve tough problems. If you want to find out which grants might cover consulting costs, GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada. This can help you plan your project and budget more confidently.
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