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TYPES OF FINANCING AVAILABLE
There are two basic forms of financing:
- Debt Financing
- Equity Financing
Debt Financing
With debt financing a lender does not assume any ownership in the business. Instead fixed amounts of repayment and interest are required.
Debt financing is useful in:
- Meeting short-term or seasonal deficits in the cash-flow (e.g. with an operating loan)
- Financing lower-risk projects where the cash surpluses will be available in time to meet payment obligations
Equity Financing
The money that is invested in the company that is not debt is considered equity financing. Equity financing usually results in the investor gaining some ownership in the business. The investment is not repaid unless the company redeems the capital or the shares are sold; however, a dividend might be paid to the equity capital holders.
Equity financing does result in dilution of the ownership of the company. Therefore, it is advisable to select the investors carefully.
Equity financing is appropriate for:
- Large projects that require additional time and expertise
- High-risk ventures where it might be too costly to obtain a loan
- Companies that are growing rapidly and constantly need additional financing
Types of Equity Financing
Common Shares
- The controlling shares of a corporation
- Carry the right to attend shareholder meetings and to vote
- Earn dividends
Preferred Shares
- Represents partial ownership of the company
- Preferential right to repayment over common shares
- No right to vote at shareholder meetings
- Can be redeemed by the company
Debt and Equity Combinations
RAISING FINANCING
When approaching an institution for financing, a company must have a financial business plan outlining the company and its requirements. Before approving a loan, banks need to be assured that the owner and the business meet specific credit criteria. These are sometimes referred to as the 7 C's of credit:
- Character - one's personal and business credit ratings are important
- Capability - the ability and willingness to repay the loan; past record will be considered
- Capital - debt-to-equity ratio of the proposal i.e.is there a lot of debt?
- Circumstances - analysis of the particular industry, business competition, and product / target markets one is trying to enter
- Coverage - will the money be protected should something happen to the business, therefore, net income relative to the payments and the insurance coverage is very important
- Cash Flow - is the projected cash flow healthy and does it include all relevant costs and expenses
- Collateral - review of the value of the assets that are being offered as security to repay the loan if the business fails
Potential sources of financing for Manitoba food and beverage businesses include Canada’s major banks and credit unions. Additionally, there are financiers that will finance specific accounts receivable (often referred to as factoring), asset based lenders that will provide term loans for specific pieces of high value equipment and some forms of leases create the equivalent of debt obligations.
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) supports innovative businesses, especially if they are strategic to an industry sector.
Website: http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/259.asp
Canada Small Business Loan Financing Program. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) assists new and existing small businesses to obtain intermediate term loans to help finance specific fixed asset needs.
Website: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/csbfp-pfpec.nsf/eng/Home
Export Development Canada provides Canadian exporters with financing, insurance and bonding services as well as foreign market expertise.
Website: http://www.edc.ca/Pages/default.aspx
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) helps create and develop Canadian businesses through financing, growth and transition capital, venture capital and consulting services, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.
Website: http://www.bdc.ca/EN/Pages/home.aspx
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is Canada’s leading farm and agri-business lender.
Website: https://www.fcc-fac.ca/
National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) is a network of Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs) dedicated to stimulating economic growth for Canada’s Aboriginal peoples by promoting and underwriting Aboriginal business development.
Website: https://nacca.ca/
Venture Capital Firms provide financing for companies in exchange for an equity position in the company (often a majority position) as well as taking an active role in management. These firms can be accessed through the Canadian Venture Capital Private Equity Association.
Website: http://www.cvca.ca/membership/member-directory/
Business Start Program is a loan guarantee program with an educational component. Loans to new owner-managed businesses are provided through participating financial institutions and guaranteed by the Manitoba government.
Website: http://www.gov.mb.ca/jec/emb/smbus/bsp/
Other Government Funding
There are numerous support programs and services that help all sizes of food and beverage processors. For the most up-to-date information, check the Canada Business Network about grants and financing.