Starting and Growing a Business: Accessing Capital

How Will You Finance Your Business Growth?
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Once your business is up and running you may need to raise more money to pay for expansion and growth. You will also require money for your daily operating expenses.

As with start up, your business can be financed through debt (borrowed money) or equity (invested money). The type of financing you seek depends on how much you need and how you plan on using it. However, as your business begins to make a profit, you can use that money to pay for its continued growth, offer ownership in exchange for financial help or sell equity interests in the company.

Once you have determined the type of financing that you require your next step may be investor readiness. Becoming investor ready will require you to know your business inside out so that you can attract investment in your business.

• Financing for an Established Business Info-Guide - This Info-Guide provides an overview of some of the main financing options for individuals operating a business in Ontario, including programs offered or supported by the government.
• BDC Perspecitve: Growth – Business Development Canada explains financing solutions, financial options, deal structures and consulting
• Financing Growth – Practical advice for financing growth from Business Link
• Financing Growth – Business Resources – Royal Bank – This article from Royal Bank discusses cash flow, ramping up and timing growth

• Determining the Type and Source of Financing Required – This fact sheet will help you determine the most suitable type of financing as well as sources of various types of financing
• Financial Resources – As part of Renewal Services, this page lists and links to financial resources to assist in the business development process
• Source Assistance – This information from the Business Commercialization Branch is designed to help agri-preneurs develop Alberta products
• Working Capital – This page from Business Development Canada (BDC) offers information and links to help you secure the working capital needed for success
• Agri-Opportunities - The Agri-Opportunities Program provides funds to accelerate the commercialization of new agricultural products, processes or services. Funding is provided for projects that can be expected to increase market opportunities for the Canadian agricultural industry across the value chain and generate demand for primary agricultural products
• AVNet – AVNet links entrepreneurs and businesses in the agrivalue industry with like-minded investors

• Private Venture Investing: “Questions an Investor Should Ask” – This article is intended to act as a general guide for an investor contemplating a private company or project. The summary of key questions to ask and issues to deal with is also helpful for those seeking investors
• Steps to Growth Capital – This site from Industry Canada is extremely helpful and informative for the entrepreneur seeking risk capital. It will walk you through the process of finding, keeping and working with investors
• What Investors Want to Know – This information from AVNet lists questions that an investor may ask and that entrepreneurs will need to answer.
• Tips to Improve Chances of Securing Venture Financing – These tips from Industry Canada will help you access venture financing
• Working With Lenders – Keep Them In The Loop – This article stresses the importance of communicating with your lender to ensure a positive working relationship