Financing your new business 

Entrepreneurs often report that getting financing is the most challenging aspect of starting a business. There are both government and private-sector sources of financing that you can tap into to get your business off the ground.

Government financing

The government provides financing to help entrepreneurs like you start a business. Some of this financing is targeted at specific demographic groups or industry sectors, and some is more widely available. The financing includes grants and contributions (which generally do not have to be repaid) and loans and loan guarantees (which generally do have to be repaid).

• CYBF Newcomer Program

  If you are a recent immigrant to Canada and are between the ages of 18 and 39 years old, you can apply for money to start a business.

• CYBF Start-Up Program

  Are you between 18 and 39 years old? If you are a Canadian resident with a good business idea, you could get $15,000 or more to start or run a business full-time.

• Aboriginal Business Canada

  Apply for financing to start or grow your Aboriginal business.

• BDC financing

  You could get money to help you start or grow your business.

• BDC growth capital for aboriginal business

  Find out how you could get money to help start or grow your Aboriginal business.

• BDC subordinate financing

  Do you own a successful business, but lack the collateral to get a conventional loan? Discover an alternative way to finance your business growth.

• Business Assistance — Immigrant Investor Program
  Applies only to: Québec

  If your business is in one of the eligible industries and obtains a positive recommendation from an accredited financial intermediary, you could receive funding.

• Buying a business

  Find out how you may get financing to buy an existing business.

• Canada Small Business Financing Program

  Access funds for your small business with the help of this loan guarantee program.

• Canadian Agricultural Loans Act program

  Find out how you could use this loan guarantee program to secure credit for your farming business.

• Capitalization of Social Economy Companies
  Applies only to: Québec

  You could obtain a capitalization loan or benefit from the purchase of preferred shares for your social economy company.

• Community Futures Program
  Applies only to: Québec

  Get funding for starting or growing a business in a rural or disadvantaged area of the province of Quebec.

• FACTOR funding for the recording industry

  If you have a recording business or if you are a song-writer, composer or musician and record in English, you could get money for certain activities.

• Farm Credit Canada Products and Services

  You could access capital for your farming or agri-business operation.

• Femmessor — Réussir en affaires
  Applies only to: Québec

  You could obtain funding, training or mentoring for the acquisition, start-up, expansion or consolidation of your company.

• Fiducie du Chantier de l'économie sociale
  Applies only to: Québec

  Do you need funding to start a business or develop new social economics projects?

• Financing for starting a business

  Learn how you could get money to start or buy a business or to buy property or equipment to set up your business.

• Fonds afro-entrepreneurs — Loans to Afro-Québécois businesspeople
  Applies only to: Québec

  Are you a member of one of Quebec's black communities? You could receive a loan or loan guarantee for your business' needs.

• Fonds de développement des entreprises d’économie sociale
  Applies only to: Québec

  Do you have a social enterprise? If so, this development fund can help you.

• Grant — Fondation Montréal Inc
  Applies only to: Québec

  If you are a young Montreal entrepreneur, you could receive a grant of between $5,000 and $30,000 to start up your business as well as advice or training.

• Jeunes Promoteurs
  Applies only to: Québec

  If you want to start up your first business and you are between the ages of 18 and 35, you may be eligible to obtain financial assistance.

• Local investment fund
  Applies only to: Québec

  Apply for financing to start or expand a business in Quebec.

• Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

  If you are a person with disabilities who wants to start a business or if you are an employer who would like to hire someone with a disability, you could qualify for funds.

• Quebec Economic Development Program
  Applies only to: Québec

  Find out about resources that can help you develop your Quebec business.

• Réseau québécois du crédit communautaire
  Applies only to: Québec

  You could obtain microfinancing from this network to start a business in Quebec.

• Regional Economic Intervention Fund (FIER)
  Applies only to: Québec

  Your business could obtain financial assistance in the form of equity for your start-up, development, succession and recovery projects.

• Self-employment support
  Applies only to: Québec

  Receive financial and technical support to start or purchase a microbusiness.

• The Prince's Operation Entrepreneur

  If you are a transitioning Canadian Forces member looking to establish a small business, this program could be for you.

Private-sector financing

You can also turn to the private sector for financing for your business. You can look to Canada's major financial institutions, such as banks, credit unions, and cooperatives. Depending on the type of business you want to start, you might also be able to secure venture capital or financing from angel investors.

• Sources of private sector financing

  Find out about the debt and equity financing available from the private sector for your business needs.