Alternative Financing Methods In Canada : Business Loans And Working Capital Choices

Alternative Financing In Canada Is Not An Old Or Mysterious Practice

OVERVIEW – Information on alternative financing methods in Canada. What types of business loans and working capital solutions are available to the Canadian business borrower






Alternative financing in Canada : Canadian chartered banks, usually by virtue of their 'relationship' with business owners and entrepreneurs are in a position to pass on valuable financing tips and information on business loans and working capital for start up or smaller firms. Although the banks are a solid source of such information the banks themselves, by virtue of their charters and credit policies, they are often unable to directly satisfy the financing needs of all customers. Let’s dig in.


Business owners are often therefore encouraged by banks to 'self finance 'the venture via equity or owner capital and commitment. It is clearly a misconception that banks play a key and major role in the financing of new ventures.

Possibly the only exception to this statement is the fact that the banks offer up, in their role as administrators, the Government Small Business Loan, which is a Canadian federal government program providing loans up to, in some cases 500,000.00$ for purchase of real estate, business assets, or leasehold improvements. (The more typical loan amount maximum is 350,000.00$)

We may or may not agree with Canadian banking policies on start up and young venture financing, we should however appreciate the banks stance - they are lending out our capital at very low rates, with potential to lose the entire investment if your firm can't repay loans and financing.

How can the small or newer business succeed in financing options? Businesses of the size that we are discussing need thousands, literally millions of dollars of financing to fuel their growth in Canada.

In our commentary that we are providing it is important to note that as companies develop along the 'stage of development 'timeline they of course have much more access to traditional bank and private equity financing. We are primarily talking about earlier stage companies, who may be still developing products and services and may not be yet profitable as they start delivering and billing for those products and services.

So what are the immediate challenges of firms that are unable to provide traditional financing and what are, more importantly, some immediate solutions?!

The challenges tend to be painfully obvious to the Canadian business owner or financial manager that has worked to get traditional bank and equity financing. They are as follows:


Perceived industry or product risk

No collateral

Uncertain financial projections

Limited Performance history




How can the Canadian business entrepreneur overcome these very traditional roadblocks and challenges? There are a number of ways.
First of all, all alternative methods of financing should be pursuing. Alternative financing methods are most non dependent on the above noted risks and challenges. Those alternative methods of financing might include:

*Business Angels or strategic partners (think suppliers!) for short term arrangements

*Equipment Lease financing

* Sale leasebacks on equipment already purchased and paid for

*Asset based lending arrangements that provide working capital facilities against initial receivables, inventory, and purchase orders (These facilities don't have the same requirements as banks)

* Sr Ed Tax Credits - Customer who have filed claims can finance those claims for cash

* Invoice / Receivable Financing / Confidential Receivable Finance - Immediate cash for your firm's receivables (these facilities can be of any size)


In summary, newer or smaller firms fall into the ' void ' area of financing, where very few traditional financing strategies can be implemented, at a time when cash flow and working capital are most critical.

Business owners should review non alternative strategies which can be of great assistance in early growth periods - Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success to discuss methods of alternative financing in the Canadian marketplace.



Stan Prokop - 7 Park Avenue Financial :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 90 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .





Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?

CONTACT:

7 Park Avenue Financial

South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653



Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com





' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '

Stan Prokop