# Small Business Week > Canadian event. - Canonical entity: https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706 - Website listed in the source snapshot: https://www.bdc.ca/en/small-business-week - Category: [Businesses](https://directory.readyscan.ai/directory/businesses) - Machine record: https://directory.readyscan.ai/discovery/entities/small-business-week-q7542706.json - Material fingerprint: fnv1a64:96f802be17ecfb41 - Entity revision: fnv1a64:583e49840f55a856 - Published: 2026-10-21 - Modified: 2026-10-21 ## Questions & answers ### [What is Small Business Week?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-aa145a699af16ab3d183) “BDC Small Business Week is an annual celebration of Canadian entrepreneurship organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). Since 1979, over 10,000 entrepreneurs gather every year in October to learn, network and get tips to stay ahead; fueling the strength of Canada’s business community.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/about/small-business-week ### [When does Small Business Week take place?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-06b49402fb1ad7e13d49) “Small Business Week takes place on the third week of October. This year, events will take place throughout the week of October 19 to 25, both online and in communities across Canada.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/about/small-business-week ### [What’s this year’s theme?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-b82ed0da4b3a09bc82c0) “This year’s theme is It’s a two-speed world now—fast or finished.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/about/small-business-week ### [Are the events free?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-cb4c69ae768fe404bddf) “Many Small Business Week events are free, but some partner‑led events may have a fee. Each event listing clearly indicates whether registration or payment is required.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/about/small-business-week ### [Do I need to be a BDC client to participate?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-40c09e21e2f80f23a33d) “No. You don’t need to be a BDC client to attend Small Business Week events, they are open to all entrepreneurs and partners across Canada.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/about/small-business-week ### [Can organizations host or submit an event?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-b9aadf0ac2aeff629e7e) “Yes. Partners and organizations can submit their events to be featured as part of Small Business Week, provided they align with the spirit and objectives of SBW. You can ask for details at info@bdc.ca.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/about/small-business-week ### [What are consulting services?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-29f8e3c702dfe1dc92ed) “Consulting services are professional advisory services that involve external experts helping businesses solve problems, improve performance, and achieve strategic goals. When using consulting services, businesses gain access to objective perspectives and specialized knowledge that may not be available in-house.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/consulting ### [Why use consulting services?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-c2d144f3a8bd3ba01402) “Consulting services can help businesses gain expert guidance and fresh perspectives and move faster towards their goals. With expertise across industries and markets, the right business consultant can help businesses navigate complex challenges, avoid mistakes, and implement best practices. Consulting support can be particularly effective for project-based work or when specific expertise is needed for a limited time.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/consulting ### [How is BDC’s consulting offering different from other consulting firms?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-42f0b05b96ca1ce47a76) “Our experts have industry-specific expertise and a deep understanding of the challenges that Canadian SMEs face. We provide impartial advice, strategic insight, coaching, co-development sessions, and hands-on support to help you build long-lasting capabilities and operate independently once the consulting mandate is over. We can also finance the cost of BDC consulting services to see your project through.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/consulting ### [Do I need to take on multiple mandates if I require expertise in more than one field?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-c15ae088283650f5b9ef) “No. You get one cohesive mandate, with coordinated recommendations and actions across all the expertise you need.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/consulting ### [I'd like to enter the defence supply chain. How can BDC support my company?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-afdf2ef21c77a550eb7a) “BDC helps businesses grow and innovate with flexible financing to scale, expert advice to become contract-ready, and connections to partners across the defence ecosystem.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/solutions/defence ### [Which companies are eligible to request financing, advisory services or capital under BDC 's Defence Platform?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-1d7c8f09d7dcf3790652) “Eligible companies are those already operating in the defence space, as well as those that have capabilities or technologies that can be adapted to the sector (called dual-use).” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/solutions/defence ### [Does BDC finance only large companies?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-997e248a506ddf4a985d) “BDC finances Canadian-based companies of all sizes. Our base requirements are that you have between 12-24 months of operations and be generating revenue.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/solutions/defence ### [My business has capabilities or dual‑use technologies that could be relevant in defence. Can BDC help me?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-9b0ae5ef8fe8b17f8654) “Yes. We offer financing and venture capital investments to help you build the capabilities needed to adapt your technologies to the defence sector.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/solutions/defence ### [Will BDC help me obtain defence contracts?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-5d6cc415649d996ab888) “BDC supports companies with financing to scale and innovate and expert advice to meet industry and government requirements. We can also connect you with ecosystem partners to help you in your journey to entering the defence supply chain. We do not expressly match businesses with defence contractors.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/solutions/defence ### [What is the Forestry Support Program?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-4975b66efdb31e4e85c5) “BDC is enhancing its Softwood Lumber Guarantee Program and offers 2 new financing options for businesses across the full forestry sector value chain. The Forestry Support Program is structured around 3 distinct offers.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/solutions/forestry-support-program ### [What other financing options are available if I don’t qualify for the Forestry Support Program?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-d703242255a6d6312700) “If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria for the Forestry Support Program, visit our solutions page to explore tools, insights and financing options designed to help businesses navigate economic uncertainty and support growth.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/solutions/forestry-support-program ### [Can I apply to this program if I got an indirect loan through the Softwood Lumber Guarantee Program?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-984ed02640a8485753fb) “No, you can’t apply for the Liquidity support if you operate in either the softwood lumber mills or remanufacturing sectors, and you obtained support through the Softwood Lumber Guarantee Program. However, you may still be eligible for the Transformation support.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/solutions/forestry-support-program ### [What documents do I need to provide?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-7867e46508d6e6e1f9e2) “Once you completed the BDC online application form, a representative will contact you to request additional documentation.” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/solutions/forestry-support-program ### [What other support do you offer businesses struggling in the current trade environment?](https://directory.readyscan.ai/entities/small-business-week-q7542706#company-answer-content-native-digital-agencies-2196583c0d61ce36-a-baa72dd6f7cd5d3fe332) “In addition to our various other financing solutions, our Advisory Services experts are also happy to support you in related areas that can help you take proactive measures to protect your position, such as financial management, operational efficiency and strategic planning. For more information and resources, visit our Practical solutions for Canadian businesses” Sources: https://www.bdc.ca/en/solutions/forestry-support-program ## Company sources - [Small Business Week website](https://www.bdc.ca/en/small-business-week) — bdc.ca - [bdc.ca/en/about/small-business-week](https://www.bdc.ca/en/about/small-business-week) — bdc.ca · [Related Ready Scan knowledge](https://readyscan.ai/sources/source-f862460c376739c0) - [bdc.ca/en/consulting](https://www.bdc.ca/en/consulting) — bdc.ca · [Related Ready Scan knowledge](https://readyscan.ai/sources/source-af2f63a18cff957d) - [bdc.ca/en/solutions/defence](https://www.bdc.ca/en/solutions/defence) — bdc.ca · [Related Ready Scan knowledge](https://readyscan.ai/sources/source-4e8d64d1da0c5a16) - [bdc.ca/en/solutions/forestry-support-program](https://www.bdc.ca/en/solutions/forestry-support-program) — bdc.ca · [Related Ready Scan knowledge](https://readyscan.ai/sources/source-e77d2aa9de5e41af) - [wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityData/Q7542706.json](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityData/Q7542706.json?revision=2467549805) — wikidata.org · [Related Ready Scan knowledge](https://readyscan.ai/sources/source-3e321a43c3b82e11) ## Continue reading - Discover the bounded graph: https://readyscan.ai/api/v1/ai-search/discovery - Retrieve this entity evidence: https://readyscan.ai/api/v1/ai-search/entities/small-business-week-q7542706/evidence ## Publication boundary - This public-sourced record brings together company information and its sources. 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