Financing

The rewards of exporting - increased sales and expanding markets - can at first put a strain on your finances. Many exporters seek out external financing to support this activity. Depending on the stage you are at in the export cycle, various solutions may be available.

Hire international trade expertise

Are you new to exporting and feel you would benefit by hiring someone with trade experience? Some programs can help you hire the expertise you need.

• Export Internship for Trade Graduates
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/857/
  Applies to: Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island
  Hire a graduate with exporting know-how under this wage subsidy program.
• Agri-Value Marketing Internship Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2255/
  Applies to: Saskatchewan
  Receive a wage subsidy to hire a recent or current graduate student with marketing expertise to help your agri-value business with marketing.
• Small Business Internship Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1050/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Get funding to hire a student to help you implement e-business practices and technologies that can increase your sales or improve productivity.

Market and sell abroad

Whether you are researching new markets, promoting your business at trade shows or joining a trade mission, finding new markets can be a costly endeavour. You may be travelling more, need translation services or help with international contracts. Your buyer may request the best terms possible or want guarantees in place.

• EXPORTExpressCredit
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1294/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Loan to promote your business abroad or boost production to meet an export order.
• Business Development Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/943/
  Applies to: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
  Access funds to start, expand or improve your business in Atlantic Canada.
• Business and Regional Growth
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1129/
  Applies to: Quebec
  Financing to help your Quebec business improve its performance, and become more competitive and more engaged in innovation.
• BDC Subordinate Financing
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1207/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  An alternative way to finance the growth of your profitable business
• BDC Term Loans
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1049/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  You can get flexible debt financing for a wide variety of business projects.
• Export Prospector Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2069/
  Applies to: Nova Scotia
  Benefit from the core advantages of a trade mission designed specifically for your business.
• Community Futures Loan Program - Western Provinces
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1066/
  Applies to: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
  Get funding for starting or growing a business in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba.
• BDC Venture Capital
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/935/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  An alternate source of funding for your technology-based business.
• Go-Ahead Program for Exporters
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3738/
  Applies to: Nova Scotia
  Receive funding to cover the costs of follow-up visits to sales leads found through provincial government trade missions, shows or conferences.
• Community Futures Program - Ontario
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1069/
  Applies to: Ontario
  Get funding for starting or growing a business in Northern Ontario or rural areas of Southern Ontario.
• Community Futures Program - Quebec
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1072/
  Applies to: Quebec
  Get funding for starting or growing a business in a rural or disadvantaged area of the province of Quebec.
• Programme d’aide aux entreprises
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2461/
  Applies to: Quebec
  Increase the competitiveness and accelerate the growth of your business with this grant.
• Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba:  Financing
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1230/
  Applies to: Manitoba
  If you are a Francophone living in Manitoba, you may be able to get financing to start or grow a business.
• Conseil de la coopération de la Saskatchewan:  Financing
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1229/
  Applies to: Saskatchewan
  If you are a Francophone living in Saskatchewan, you may be able to get financing to start or grow a business.
• Community Business Development Corporations Business Loan Program - Atlantic Provinces
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1063/
  Applies to: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
  Get funding to start or grow a business in rural areas of Atlantic Canada.
• Team Canada Atlantic Missions
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1296/
  Applies to: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
  Participate in an export trade mission and receive financing to cover some of your costs.
• Book Publishing Industry Development Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1999/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Financial assistance for your Canadian book publishing business.
• Next Generation of Jobs Fund - Jobs and Investment Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2415/
  Applies to: Ontario
  Expand your business and develop innovative products for global markets with a grant of up to 15% of eligible costs. Projects must create or retain at least 100 high value jobs, or invest $25 million over five years.
• Women’s Enterprise Initiative Loan Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1081/
  Applies to: Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia
  If you are a woman living in Western Canada, you can get money to start, grow or buy a business, as well as consulting services and business training.
• NextGen Biofuels™
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1420/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  If your business produces biofuel (ethanol or biodiesel) using the latest technologies, and your product has been successfully tested, you can get money to help market it.
• ExportAbility Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2070/
  Applies to: Nova Scotia
  Obtain funding to increase your competitive know-how in the global marketplace.
• ATB Financial
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2478/
  Applies to: Alberta
  Access business loans and other banking services from your local Alberta branch.
• NORTHSTAR Trade Finance Inc.
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1222/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Your foreign customer can get financing to purchase your products and services.
• New Brunswick Growth Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2015/
  Applies to: New Brunswick
  Receive financing for the establishment of a new business or for the expansion, diversification or productivity improvement of an existing business.
• MUSICACTION
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1058/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Financing to support the French language recording industry and its artists.
• FACTOR Loans for Recording
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1284/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Financing to support the English language sound recording industry and its artists
• Export Development Program for Music
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1037/
  Applies to: Nova Scotia
  Financing to help your music business expand outside of Nova Scotia.
• Marketing Support Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2989/
  Applies to: Prince Edward Island
  Get financial assistance for marketing costs from start-up through to international exporting.
• Feature Film Distribution Assistance
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2074/
  Applies to: Nova Scotia
  Receive a recoupable advance for the theatrical release costs of your film.
• Promotional Assistance Program for Film Producers
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2235/
  Applies to: New Brunswick
  Obtain up to $2,000 for travel costs to festivals and film-related events to which you have been officially invited or selected for screening or for participating in competitions.
• Grants – Arts Sector
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2294/
  Applies to: Saskatchewan
  Are you looking for grants, programs and services in the arts? Learn more about the different options available to entrepreneurs in the arts sector.
• Immigrant Small Business Loan Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2379/
  Applies to: Nova Scotia
  As a recent immigrant, you can receive a loan to start, buy or expand your business.
• First Nations and Inuit Youth Business Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2664/
  Applies to: Nunavut
  Thinking of buying a business or expanding your existing business? Find out about available funding for businesses owned by Kitikmeot Inuits and Aboriginal youth.
• Alberta Indian Investment Corporation
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2451/
  Applies to: Alberta
  Are you an established or budding Aboriginal entrepreneur seeking financing and business support services? If so, learn about direct business loans, equity investments and other services available to your business.
• Kitikmeot Business Assistance Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2663/
  Applies to: Nunavut
  Thinking of buying a business or expanding your existing business? Find out about available funding for businesses owned by Kitikmeot Inuits.
• Manitoba Agri-Innovation Suite
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2606/
  Applies to: Manitoba
  From idea to market... get the help your business needs to develop the next big agri-food product.
• APEX Investment Fund
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2463/
  Applies to: Saskatchewan
  Investment funding of $1 million to $5 million may be available to you from the Apex Investment Fund, if your business is in one of their four key sectors.
• BDC Growth Capital for Aboriginal Business
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/937/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Financing to help aboriginal business people start or grow their business
• Business and Professional Development for Publishers
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2017/
  Applies to: New Brunswick
  If you are an established book or periodical publisher, you may be eligible for a grant of up to $2,500 for the training of your staff or board members and/or to participate in conferences, business meetings or book fairs.
• Aboriginal Business Canada
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/961/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Obtain financing to start or expand your Aboriginal business.
• Film Market/Festival Assistance Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3808/
  Applies to: Nova Scotia
  Receive financial assistance to attend film markets and festivals as a producer.
• Trade Assistance Program for Trade Shows
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2514/
  Applies to: Manitoba
  Is your Manitoba business ready to export? Access help to gain international and national exposure for your products and/or services.
• Small and Medium Business Financial Program – General Section
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/4063/
  Applies to: Quebec
  You could receive financial assistance to help carry out your business development projects.

Boost your working capital

Increasing production to meet export orders can eat up your working capital. You may have export orders, but need some cash to get by until your buyer pays you. Other expenses can eat away your working capital, such as getting help from international law specialists. Solutions exist to help you out.

• Accounts Receivable Insurance
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1102/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Insure up to 90% of your export business against a number of commercial risks.
• Aboriginal Business Canada
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/961/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Obtain financing to start or expand your Aboriginal business.
• Business and Regional Growth
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1129/
  Applies to: Quebec
  Financing to help your Quebec business improve its performance, and become more competitive and more engaged in innovation.
• Business Development Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/943/
  Applies to: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
  Access funds to start, expand or improve your business in Atlantic Canada.

Reduce your financial risks

There are ways to reduce your risks without losing on a good opportunity to grow your business. In some cases, bringing down these risks may even increase your odds of getting financing from traditional banks and institutions.

• Export Insurance
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1582/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Insurance eases the risks of exporting and may help you access working capital.

Find Private Sector Financing

There are a wide variety of different private sector organizations that may provide financing to meet your needs.

• Sources of Private Sector Financing
  Find out about the debt and equity financing available from the private sector for your business needs.