If you are a small or mid-sized business in British Columbia and you are thinking about adopting AI, there is real money on the table right now. Federal and provincial programs are actively funding technology adoption, and several of them are specifically designed for businesses like yours.
The catch? Most business owners do not know these programs exist, and the ones who do often find the application process overwhelming. This post breaks down what is available, who qualifies, and how to actually get funded.
PacifiCan Regional AI Initiative (RAII)
Update, September 2026: the program structure described below has changed since this post was first published, and we've corrected the details rather than leave the outdated version standing. The RAII is now being expanded as part of a $500 million national investment under Canada's National AI Strategy, and PacifiCan's own program page currently reads "check back soon for more information on how to apply", meaning the application window that was open in the spring is not confirmed open right now. It's also structured as loans of $250,000 to $5 million per project, not the direct, non-repayable contribution capped at $3 million we originally described. If you're considering this program, check PacifiCan's official RAII page directly before building a project plan around it, program terms for AI-adoption funding have been moving quickly through 2026.
The program supports businesses that are adopting AI into their operations, commercializing AI products, or building AI capacity in their region.
Who qualifies: Incorporated businesses, not-for-profits, and Indigenous organizations in BC. Projects must demonstrate a clear plan for AI adoption or commercialization, confirm current funding type (loan vs. contribution) and amount directly with PacifiCan before applying.
NRC IRAP: Funding for SMEs Adopting New Technology
The National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) is one of Canada’s longest-running innovation support programs. It provides advisory services and funding to small and medium-sized enterprises that are developing or adopting new technology.
IRAP funding can cover a portion of labour costs for technical staff working on innovation projects, including AI implementation. The program also connects businesses with a dedicated Industrial Technology Adviser who helps scope the project and navigate the application.
Who qualifies: Canadian incorporated, for-profit SMEs with 500 or fewer full-time employees. Your project needs to involve a technical challenge or innovation component, adopting AI into your business processes typically qualifies.
BC Employer Training Grant (ETG)
If part of your AI adoption plan involves training your team, the BC Employer Training Grant can cover a significant share of the cost. For businesses with fewer than 50 employees, the program covers up to 80% of training costs, up to $10,000 per employee.
This is relevant because AI adoption is not just about buying software. It requires your team to learn new tools and workflows. Whether you are training staff on a new CRM with AI features, a voice AI platform, or automated reporting tools, the ETG can offset that investment.
Who qualifies: BC employers. The training must be delivered by a third-party training provider. Applications are submitted through the BC government’s workforce development portal.
SR&ED Tax Credits: Expanded Limits Since March 2026
The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program is Canada's largest tax incentive for research and development. Bill C-15 received royal assent on March 26, 2026, expanding the program, but the change is to expenditure limits and thresholds, not the credit rate itself, which stays at 35% (enhanced, fully refundable) and 15% (basic).
If your AI project involves any technical uncertainty: building custom integrations, developing new workflows, or testing AI models against your specific business data. There is a good chance some of that work qualifies for SR&ED credits. Many businesses under-claim because they do not realize that applied R&D counts, not just pure research.
What actually changed (Bill C-15, effective for tax years beginning after December 15, 2024): the taxable-capital threshold at which the refundable credit starts phasing out rose from $10 million to $15 million (fully eliminated at $75 million, up from $50 million); the annual enhanced-expenditure limit for an associated group of CCPCs doubled from $3 million to $6 million, raising the maximum refundable credit from $1.05 million to $2.1 million; and capital expenditures became eligible again for property acquired after December 15, 2024. We could not independently verify the BC Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit rate at the time of this update, so we've removed that claim rather than repeat an unconfirmed figure.
BC Fast Pilot Program
The BC Fast Pilot program is designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises validate new technology with real customers. If you have an AI-powered product or service and need to test it in a real-world setting, Fast Pilot provides structured support and connections to help you run a pilot project.
This program is particularly useful for businesses that have built or customized an AI tool and want to prove it works before scaling. It bridges the gap between “we built something” and “we have paying customers.”
Canada’s SME AI Adoption Blueprint
Canada is also backing AI adoption at the international policy level. The G7-backed SME AI Adoption Blueprint, which Canada helped develop, outlines a framework for helping small businesses adopt AI responsibly and effectively. While this is a policy document rather than a direct funding source, it signals that government support for SME AI adoption is a long-term priority, not a one-time initiative.
Whether you are a winery in West Kelowna, a dental office in Kelowna, or a construction company in the Okanagan, these programs apply to you. Most business owners are surprised by how much they qualify for once they walk through the options against their actual project plan.
Not sure which programs fit your business? Book a free call and we will match you to the right funding in 15 minutes.
How to Actually Apply: Practical Steps
Step 1: Define your project. Before you touch an application form, get clear on what you want to automate or improve. “We want to use AI” is not specific enough. “We want to deploy an AI voice agent to handle after-hours calls and reduce missed bookings by covering 24/7 intake” is.
Step 2: Match your project to the right program. RAII is for larger AI adoption or commercialization projects. IRAP is for SMEs with a technical innovation component. ETG is for training. SR&ED is for projects involving technical uncertainty. Many businesses qualify for more than one.
Step 3: Build a credible project plan. Funding applications require a clear scope, timeline, budget, and explanation of expected outcomes. This is where many applications fall short, not because the project is bad, but because the application does not communicate it well.
Step 4: Document everything from day one. For SR&ED in particular, contemporaneous documentation of your technical challenges, experiments, and decisions is critical. Start a project log before you begin development.
Step 5: Get help with the application. Seriously. The difference between a funded application and a rejected one is often the quality of the written proposal, not the quality of the project. IRAP advisers are free. SR&ED consultants typically work on contingency. And a software partner can help you ensure the technical plan in your application is realistic, costed properly, and ready to execute.
We Help You Get Funded AND Get It Built
Most funding programs want to see that you have a credible implementation partner. That is exactly what we do.
Here is what working with Lifesaver looks like:
- [AI Voice Receptionist](/services/ai-voice-agents): a custom-built phone agent that answers calls, books appointments, and captures leads.
- [Workflow Automation](/services/workflow-automation): connect your tools and eliminate manual admin. From a single automation to full department-wide systems.
- [Custom Software, Websites & Apps](/services/custom-software-development): built for your business.
We respond quickly to production-critical issues. Ownership, licensing, and handover terms are set out in each client contract.
These programs move fast: intake periods close, budgets get allocated, terms get restructured. Confirm current status directly with each program before building a plan around it, and if you have been thinking about AI for your business, this is still worth pursuing.
Call us at (778) 401-6551 or book an appointment. We will help you figure out which programs you qualify for and build a plan that gets funded.