Startup Funding In Canada : Business Start Up Financing Has Changed

Putting A Propeller

On Start Up Financing In Canada








OVERVIEW – Information on startup funding in Canada . Business start up financing has evolved into numerous options that depend on the nature and size of your venture



Startup funding in Canada provides entrepreneurs with the ' propeller' they need to achieve business start up financing that makes sense for entrepreneurs requiring start up financing that achieves ownership goals. Let's dig in.

As we've suggested in the past typically business owners gravitate to the bank when they are envisioning the capital they need to start their business.

The mission though, should you choose to accept it! is to understand the criteria Canadian chartered banks impose on a new business -they are looking for, unfortunately, firms with track record, cash flows, and acceptable owner equity. That’s a tad difficult when you are in start up mode.

So are there alternatives? Absolutely. It's all about ensuring that you and any prospective lender, alternative or traditional, has the incoming cash flows to make debt or operating commitments positive.

Although many businesses can claim to have started with no cash flow the general consensus is that an owner equity commitment is required.

In Canada our version of the U.S. Small business program is called the 'SBL ' loan. That brings a solid partner to your start up venture - the Canadian government via a guaranteed loan.

If you have reasonable personal credit and at least a minimum of 10% permanent equity in your business you're a solid candidate for a ‘BIL ' loan.

It's critical in start up financing to understand that a traditional (bank) or alternative lender will want to know business owner personal credit history. In Canada the ' magic ' score at a credit bureau to be approved for traditional financing is 650.

A solid business plan and cash flow is also a prerequisite for start up funding. That document will demonstrate to lenders how you will handle suppliers, tackle operational expenses, and handle term and operating obligations.

Because start up businesses don’t have access to all the cash the need financing sources must be considered. They include:

Personal resources
Govt small busines loans ' SBL'
A/R financing
Tax Credit Finance - ' SR&ED'
Start Up Working Capital Cash Flow Term Loans
PO/Supplier Financing

The type of financing you need, as well as the amount, will dictate rate/terms/structure

While interest rates are significantly higher for start up alternative finance they are a substitute for giving up equity so early on in the venture. One of our associates refers to it as ' renting equity', and it's an interesting term.

Private equity firms and ' VC's' will of course take a significant amount of ownership for any investment made - and truth be told most start ups don't remotely qualify for equity start up funding.

Do we have a short list for startup financing? We do, and it would include:

Assessing personal equity

Ensuring you have a solid business plan and cash flow

Consider both alternative and traditional sources of capital

Utilize 3rd part resources such as your accountant/lawyer/ financial advisor / key supplier

Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success who will ensure you know the rules when it comes to achieving start up success in Canada.


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 . Info /Contact :



7 Park Avenue Financial = Canadian Start Up Funding Expertise








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

Why The Sale Lease back Is Irreplaceable As A Finance Strategy: The Right Asset Buy Back Makes A Winning Leaseback Transaction

Holy Smokes!

Sale Leaseback Actually Works . Talk About Freeing Up Working Capital !

OVERVIEW – Information on the benefits of a sale lease back transaction . Asset buy back financing has significant benefits . What are the most important mechanics of a leaseback transaction









The sale lease back comes into consideration by Canadian business owners and financial managers for several reasons, and at several times. It's a text book case of freeing up valuable working and making absolute sense of the asset buy back. Let's dig in.

A leaseback transaction makes sense at certain key points in a company history. As firms struggle during revenue and profit challenges the owner/manager, prudent as he or she is, will look to the balance sheet for untapped capital. Those unencumbered (i.e. not financed) assets present a great opportunity to enhance cash flow and change the balance sheet optics.

It's never a perfect world but it certainly comes close to that when assets on your books are owned, have a useful life, and still have considerable value. In that case the planets have aligned! Your ability to then ' sell back ‘the asset to a finance partner can create in those circumstances both profit and cash flow. The ultimate win / win.

The actual sell price and valuation of the asset is key in a sale leaseback strategy. Additionally, dare we say it; your accountants must be comfortable with how the transaction will be recorded on balance sheet and income statement presentation.

It's always about ' cash being king' and cash proceeds received from the leaseback transaction strengthen your balance sheet. We're the last persons to get exciting about accounting in a sale lease back - suffice to say that it’s absolutely critical to ensure that your transaction has the proper impact on balance sheet, cash on hand, debt, and deprecation. Bottom line, talk to the experts.

We pointed out earlier that the win / win in a sale leaseback is a productive asset that you own and are still using. The buy back simply means that for a specific period of time you are transferring ownership to your lessor or lender.

One of the most critical aspects of preparing for your refinancing in this manner is understanding the probable necessary need for an appraisal This typically is done by a third party firm - suffice to say that most owners me meet and talk to in this type of financing have a strong opinion of the value of the asset . Unfortunately they are typically focusing on replacement cost, while a lessor or lender focuses on liquidation cost. Somewhere in the middle is probably the right answer!

You will also want to demonstrate to your lessor or lender (sometimes the leaseback transaction is structured as bridge loan or term debt - not a lease) there are no liens or encumbrances on your asset. In Canada this is quickly and economically established via a search under your provincial Personal Property Security Act.

Cash flow is a great benefit of a buy back financing. Be fore warned that you don't want to be viewed as executing a cash grab - be prepared to demonstrate the purposes of the capital/cash flow you receive from the financing. A sale leaseback is not desirable by any lender if a firm is in a death spiral.

Holy smokes, it appears to be true that asset refinancing is a solid working capital replenishment strategy. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success who can assist you with your refinancing needs.


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 . Info /Contact :


7 Park Avenue Financial = Canadian Sale Leaseback And Bridge Loan Expertise











Stan Prokop









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

Financing SR ED Credits And The Film Finance Credit : Eliminating Performance Anxiety

Here Are All The Ways To Finance Tax Credits ( SR&ED / Film ) In Canada - It’s A Science Not A Séance

OVERVIEW – Information on financing SRED ( ‘SR&ED’) credits in Canada . Together with the Film finance credit the ability to monetize and cash flow refundable tax credits accelerates business success in research and Media






Financing SRED credits (SR&ED) or the Film Finance Credit shouldn’t come with ' performance anxiety’! Let's discuss some of the key issues/points around maximizing tax credit claims under these two major programs. In our ( humble ) opinion these two programs , which provide Billions ( yes that's with a ' B' ) of refundable credits and ' cash back' need to be maximized and provide great recovery of cash flow and working capital . Let's dig in.

It might seem strange to some that we talk about R&D recovery and film/TV/digital animation tax credits in the same breath but the similarities of the two programs in what’s required to file and what’s require to finance are quite uncanny .

Let's take a look at SR ED (The Scientific Research / Experimental Development) first. When it comes to financing and tax credit, and SRED is no exception it’s about the quality of the claim. While we meet some clients who are comfortable and knowledgeable in writing and filing their research credit the fact is that the majority of these claims are prepared by 3rd parties called SRED consultancies.

This group of folks created a small industry over the years, billing their clients on contingency and taking all the risk in preparing and filing your claim. What a nice bunch of folks right? Well, in return they typically took 15-30% of all funds recovered. We won’t get into the merits of what's fair and reasonable, as thousands of firms over the years certainly felt this was an ok arrangement. But these days you're required to align yourself with a credit SR&ED consultant, as well as divulging on your filing who prepared the claim and what the fee was.

When it comes to financing your claim your SRED credits are evaluated under a small handful of key criteria - i.e. general stability and prospects of your firm, owner experience, previous filings ( nice to have , but not required ) , and as stated, quality of the claim . So aligning yourself with a solid preparer is key.

Since financing a tax credit claim in both SR&ED and film is all about shortening the time it takes to receive your funds a quality claim will shorten audits, requests for info, as well as speed up financing approval, which typically only takes days anyway.


When it comes to the film finance tax credit it's key to know that financing media tax credits is one of the most straightforward and less 'risky' aspects of the ' exciting' (?) world of media entertainment production . While many might view this industry as ' losing a shirt' and dependent on public success the reality is that the tax credit portion of a project in film, television or transmedia provides anywhere from 30-50% of an entire budget , and when properly financed allows the other portions of a project to come together quite nicely - i.e. equity,. Pre-sales, gap, etc.

The film tax credit accountant mirrors the role of the SR&ED consultant - providing a quality claim via their expertise in the various provincial and federal programs that are combined into your filing.

In our opinion financing sred credits and the film finance credit is an art and science, not the mystery of a séance. Seek out and speak to a trusted credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with eliminating ' performance anxiety '

in tax credit financing.



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 . Info /Contact :



7 Park Avenue Financial = Canadian SR&ED and Film Tax Credit Financing Expertise









Stan Prokop









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

Financing For Franchising Opportunities In Canada : Is A Franchise Finance Loan Science .. Or Art?

‘ Who You Gonna Call’ When It Comes To Financing For Franchising In Canada?

OVERVIEW – Information on financing for franchising in Canada . What are the key ingredients of a franchise finance loan when entrepreneurs seek opportunities as a franchisee



Financing for franchising in Canada is often viewed as a ' who you gonna call ' situation for many prospective franchisees' in Canada. We're ourselves still not sure whether a total solution financing package for a franchise purchase is an art of a science - in fact it’s probably a bit of both.

And frankly more often than not they are ' flying solo’ when it comes to their search for a franchise finance loan. There are some reasons for that, so let's dig in.

We recently read a great article by a Toronto franchise lawyer who reaffirmed (thankfully!) what we have been saying for a long time. Some of those key points included:

A decent chunk of the equity in a new franchise needs to come from the borrower

Franchise finance scenarios differ from many forms of traditional financing because there are numerous aspects: franchise fees, leaseholds, working capital, assets, technology, and in some cases real estate

The type of financing you are going to receive also has a lot to do with your overall personal net worth and personal credit score at the credit bureau

While Canadian chartered banks are viewed as the most logical ' go to ' source for financing in fact this is somewhat misunderstood given that the majority of loans approved for franchises are under the auspices of the Canada small business financing program - which is a government guaranteed loan .

So, while the upshot of the article was clearly, and we quote ' they will likely be on their own when it comes to financing ‘the franchisee shouldn’t despair. Why? Simply because if you have the help and assistance you need from a 3rd party non biased source there are a number of ways to solidify financing for franchising.

Those methods include:

Specialized franchise loan financiers

The Govt SBL program

Supplemental financing via cash flow term loans, equipment financing, and merchant cash advances

The one spot most franchisees think they will get the most help will in fact be where they get the lease help. Thats because franchisors are interested in selling you a franchise, helping you run it via their business models, but are not interested, ( or able) to assist you . Here it might make maximum sense to seek out the expertise of a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success who can assist you with making your business opportunity a total success.



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 . Info /Contact :

7 Park Avenue Financial = Canadian franchise financing expertise!









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

Business Finance Solutions Needed ? Wake Up To Alternatives To A Term Loan Via Alternative Lending Offerings

There’s No Secret Society

When It Comes to Business Finance Solutions From A Term Loan To Alternative Lending Choices




OVERVIEW – Information on business finance solutions in Canada . Whether it’s a term loan, bank financing , or alternative lending its all about knowing your options . Here’s why, and how









Are finance solutions for Canadian business a necessity? Whether it's a term loan, chartered bank financing, or choosing from alternative lending vehicles top experts agree you might be able to survive awhile from a lack of profits, but finance solutions and access to cash flow are critical.

And contrary to what you might think, there's no secret society around access to solid business financing choices. Let's dig in!


The goal is of course ' health’, i.e. healthy business. That comes from managing your assets, financing them, giving your clients credit terms, and being able to access business credit.

It’s key to understand how the ' financial structure' of your business is viewed by others. For instance if you have a lot of debt but are still viable you will reasonable be expected to pay 2-3 times the amount of interest charged by Canadian banks via alternative lending options . When you think about it how you manage your assets is really how you make your money.

Knowing how to evaluate different financial solutions comes with numerous benefits - the ability to know you can meet day to day obligations and to evaluate growth based on cash , not profit. ( There's a difference!)

Working capital and cash flow access only become critical... when you need them! Whether its external factors such as a recession, or internal issues specific to your company and industry your inability access credit puts your company on the precipice.

As we have stressed in the past it’s about managing assets and financing assets. Business owners and financial managers in the SME sector should feel good about the fact that even the largest corporations place a major focus on cash forecasting, financing, and managing assets.

The range of financial solutions available to Canadian business might be larger than you think. Common solutions available to your firm include:

A/R financing

Inventory finance

PO/Supply Chain Financing

Asset based business lines of credit

Canadian commercial bank credit - (revolvers/term loans)

Equipment Financing

Bridge Loans on Assets

Sale Leaseback Strategies

Tax Credit Monetization

Securitization

How does the business owner/financial manager know when they need a specific type of financing? Essentially the answer to that lies in your operating cycle and understanding you business around issue such as:

Customer credit quality

Payment experience versus your payment terms

Short term and long term fixed debt obligations and how they impact cash flow

Your ability to project cash receipts.

How do the above issues affect your financing needs? Simply that asset management will both save you from a cash crisis, eliminate the need for more financing than you need, and allow you to be move competitive in client terms and the ability to take on more business opportunities /larger contracts.

It's a bit of a balancing act

because you want to limit the amount of financing you need to access but you still want to be able to grow. If you’re looking for traditional, or alternative lending that matches your needs seek out and speak to a trusted credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can provide that ‘wake up’ call to finance alternatives.



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 . Info /Contact :


7 Park Avenue Financial = Business Finance Solutions




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

Fax = 905 829 2653

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '

Stan Prokop

SR ED CRA Financing : 6 Mistakes To Avoid On A SRED Tax Credit Loan

Here’s The green light

On Financing Your R&D Credit : Financing SR&ED Tax Credits


OVERVIEW – Information on the finance of a SRED TAX CREDIT loan in Canada . SR ED CRA financing involves careful planning and knowledge and timing to achieve maximum benefits




SR&ED CRA is very much in the news today. Much of that news has to do with the ability to both maximize your claim, and finance, via a SRED Tax Credit Loan , your research spending. We'll focus on some of the current ‘ lay of the land' issues, as well as , equally as important, some of the mistakes you shouldn’t make when financing a SRED claim. Let's dig in.

Just when we thought things have ' settled down' in the world of the tax credit things seem to be heating up again. Why? Part of that is due to the recent federal budget. After making some very significant changes in the program over the last year or two things seemed to settle down quite nicely. Yes some of those changes affected claim size and availability ( elimination of capital assets used in R&D) but some great things happened also - a mini purge of unscrupulous SR&ED consultants, as well as a simplified ( we think!) application program.

The program, simply speaking, allows for government refundable credits on research and development and allows Canadian business owners to recover a huge portion of direct spend on R&D.

Our focus is on financing your R&D credit, so there’s probably no better time to go over some key mistakes

you can make in financing, as well as simply preparing your claim.



Mistake #1 is simply ensuring you're not aligned with the wrong consultant, that mini industry out there that prepares your claims if you or your accountant isn’t doing it yourself. Ensure that you're aligned with a reputable consultant that charges a fair fee or contingency rate. (A huge amount of claims are prepared on ' contingency' at the risk of the consultant)

Not making Mistake# 2 revolves around the timing of your SRED and the ability to time the financing. Claims historically could only be financed after they are filed together with your corporate tax return. That is no longer the case and you can generate financing around your claim even more it's filed if you have a credible claim and can show some experience in this whole area.

Mistake # 3 is ensuring that you understand that if you have CRA arrears of any type you're not going to be able to receive your chq from the government. They will simply net it out or apply it against your arrears. So focusing on the financing of a claim with CRA arrears is not a solid strategy suffice to say.

Mistake #4 involves assuming that your bank might finance your R&D claim. The short answer here is they in general don't do that, and if they will it’s in the context of a larger relationship with yourself with firms that are quite established and have other collateral. Your best bet to ensure proper financing of your claim is to seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success who can ensure the proper tax credit financing is in place in a prompt, efficient and cost effective manner.

Mistake # 5. Simple. Don't confuse the IRAP program with SRED. IRAP claims arent financeable, they're a form of pre approved grant that involves up front approval and funding. The best way to think of it is IRAP is direct funding, SR&ED is indirect. In effect the government with an IRAP funding is pre approving your project. That's not SRED.

Mistake# 6- Don’t lose focus on a quality claim to therefore allow a minimum of audits, appeals, objections, etc. Historically over 3 Billion ++ dollars more in Sred funding has been available on an annual basis over IRAP.

We’re the last to predict where the future of R&D funding in Canada will be going. But understand that as long as you have a claim it’s financeable under very creative structures.




7 Park Avenue Financial = SR&ED Tax Credit Loan Expertise





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

Franchising Success Is Pretty Well Guaranteed With The Right Franchise Loan For Profitable Franchises In Canada

Just Say ‘ Yes ‘ When It Comes To Profitable Franchises

OVERVIEW – Information on franchising profitable franchises in Canada . The right franchise loan can make or break entrepreneurial success . Whether specialty lending or utilizing the BIL program it’s important to understand requirements and issues




Success via a profitable franchise is of course the dream of every franchisee entrepreneur when he or she is seeking a franchise loan. While most would agree that nothing is ' guaranteed' in business profitable franchises within growing industries certainly provide a strong level of comfort to the borrower. Let's dig in.

When applying for a franchise loan (these are done via a specialty lender or under the BIL program in Canada) the concept of profits as they relate to cash flow and loan repayment are key.

In the case of a turnkey situation the franchisee and the lender of course will rely on the business plan and cash flow projections of the borrower. Loans are repaid from cash flow; it’s as simple as that. So your ability to project reasonable success in a business plan and cash flow statement is key.

We often meet with clients who are looking for a bit of a different story when it comes to a franchise loan. That story? They either wish to purchase an existing franchise from a current operator or, in some cases wish to complete a parternership buyout. (Partnerships are difficult!)

In the case of ' refranchising ' - i.e. the purchase of an existing location it’s critical to get a strong handle on the current financials of the business. If in fact is a predominantly cash business ( a huge per cent age of franchises are ) its critical to understand what happens to cash ( !) , is cash being reported and recorded properly , and if its sufficient to repay both existing and new debt . One tactic we've used successfully over the years is to ensure we are provided with 3 months of bank statements and credit card transactions to allow us to see the inflows and outflows of cash.

Again, staying with the idea of purchasing an existing business, it’s critical to get an appraisal done on the existing assets and leaseholds. These will form the basis for any term loan refinancing, and you want, as a prospective buyer to get a handle on current values, replacement values, and liquidation values. Those are of key interest to your lender also.

Many franchisors these days will mandate ongoing replenishment of leaseholds and assets to keep the business ' fresh '. That’s why your business plan and cash flow projections (if you're not in a service business) should account for ongoing asset upgrades as needed.

Leaseholds are difficult to finance and they are in many cases best financed via the Govt SBL loan which allows for this type of financing. (It’s difficult for many lenders to accept ' fresh paint' as collateral for your loan!)

Your business plan and cash flow is often best when you approach it as a living document - using it to answer basic questions of profitability, cash flow, reasonable growth, etc. We recommend that down the road the franchisee revisit the plan as a useful template to track financial and personal goal success.

Purchasing a franchise in a sector that has a strong chance of profit is part of the winning combination of franchising in Canada. The properly constructed franchise loan and financing plan will help guarantee this success. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success who can help you achieve that guarantee.


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 . Info /Contact :


7 Park Avenue Financial = Canadian Franchise Financing Loan Expertise








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

905 829 2653

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '


























Stan Prokop