Export Development Canada (EDC) announced today financing to DeeBee's SpecialTea Foods Ltd. (DeeBee's) to facilitate the expansion of their business in the U.S.

DeeBee's is a small Victoria, British Columbia-based business that is creating a new, healthy alternative to frozen desserts. DeeBee's TeaPops are certified organic, herbal tea-based, fruit-packed, frozen treats with no refined sugars, artificial colouring or flavouring.

"It can be hard for a small business to get initial financing for expansion into a foreign market," said Mairead Lavery, Senior Vice-President, Business Development, EDC. "At EDC we aim to make exporting as easy as possible for a small business.  When you're not worrying about financing, you have more time to spend on other areas of your business."

"This financing from EDC will help us to expand our business and meet the growing demand for our TeaPops," said Dr. Dionne Laslo-Baker, founder and Chief Executive Officer of DeeBee's. "We're so excited for the next chapter in our company's life, and the support EDC has provided has been instrumental in this." 

EDC is Canada's leading provider of small business financing and insurance for Canadian companies with sales or interests outside ofCanada.

"In a case like DeeBee's, EDC sees the potential for this great Canadian SME and the demand for their product in the market," said Lavery. "We're looking forward to seeing them succeed in their expansion."

DeeBee's has already garnered a lot of attention and was presented with the New Exporter of the Year Award by the B.C. Division of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters last year. The company was also recently featured on Maria Shriver's business blog, recognizing Laslo-Baker's successes and challenges as a female entrepreneur and mother.

DeeBee's Organic TeaPops have undergone a massive expansion since the product's official launch in August 2013. Originally only sold in a local grocer in Victoria, B.C., TeaPops are now a staple in retailers across North America, including Whole Foods. TeaPops also launched across Sprouts Famers Market's 200 locations in the United States this year.