BDC backs quantum and cybersecurity firms to strengthen Canada’s defence capability
BDC’s StrongNorth Fund invests in Photonic and Lastwall, and partners with initiatives like UBC Sauder School of Business’ Scale Up Program Montreal, QC (May 27, 2026) – The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is pleased to announced new investments in Canadian dual use innovators through its StrongNorth Fund, alongside a partnership with UBC Sauder School of Business’ Scale Up Program, as it continues deploying its Defence Platform launched in December 2025. “We’re at a moment where Canada’s defence and economic sovereignty are increasingly shaped by technology,” said Peter Dawe, Vice President, Defence Strategy, BDC. “But ultimately, sovereignty depends on our ability to build and scale real capabilities—companies that can deliver, secure critical systems, and operate in complex environments. Through StrongNorth, we’re backing Canadian firms that are turning quantum and identity security into real‑world defence capability—focused on technologies that are ready to deploy today, while building the next wave of capability behind them.” As countries face rising cyber threats, these investments highlight how Canada is building defence capability across critical technologies. They also show how that capability is beginning to translate into real‑world applications, with companies advancing strengths across multiple critical technology domains and forming a broader national base of...