EDC provides 500k financing to DeeBee's SpecialTea Foods Ltd.

VANCOUVER, May 21, 2015 /CNW/ - 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 of Canada.

"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.

Read more about how DeeBee's is expanding their business through exports on exportwise.ca.

For more information about how EDC can help your company, call us at 1-888-434-8508 or visit www.edc.ca.

About DeeBee's Organics TeaPops^TM

It's not rocket science, it's simple really — DeeBee's TeaPops are a healthy, delicious alternative to other sugar-laden frozen desserts. Created by research scientist Dr. Dionne Laslo-Baker, who has spent years studying the effects of toxins on fetal development, and her husband Dr. Stephen Baker, a respected ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeon, TeaPops are taking the frozen aisle by storm! As a research scientist and mom, Dionne knows the importance of feeding her family foods that promote good health. In June 2012, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Dionne founded DeeBee's Organics to educate and inspire her kids and families around the globe to practice healthy eating habits. TeaPops are kosher parve, vegan, and free of gluten, dairy and refined sugar; and all ingredients are certified organic, non-GMO and ethically sourced. As such, DeeBee's TeaPops have already won many awards based on innovation, packaging, excellent taste and great health benefits.

About EDC

EDC is Canada's trade finance agency, providing financing and insurance solutions locally and around the world to help Canadian companies of any size respond to international business opportunities. As a profitable Crown corporation that operates on commercial principles, EDC works together with private and public-sector financial institutions to create greater capacity for Canadian companies to engage in trade and investment. For more information about how EDC can help your company, visit www.edc.ca.

SOURCE Export Development Canada

Media contacts: Phil Taylor, Export Development Canada, [phone], [email protected]