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.
• 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.

• AgriMarketing Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/5143/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Do you have an agricultural business? You could get money to advertise and market your agricultural products, and go on trade missions.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• Canada Book Fund
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1999/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Financial assistance for your Canadian book publishing business.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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
• 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.

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 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.
• Factoring Arrangements
  
  http://www.edc.ca/english/financing_factoring.htm
  Financial institutions may be willing to buy your export account receivables, if these are insured with Export Development Canada. This could help you increase your cash flow fast.

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
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/209/
  Find out about the debt and equity financing available from the private sector for your business needs.