Funding Options

 

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Business Plan Competitions 
How to Write A Business Plan
This article from BNET provides insight on how to put together a great business plan. It offers helpful tips on what to do and what to avoid when drafting your plan. This article is indented to be used in conjunction with the business plan template found on the Knowledge Bank page.

For further tips on how to make your business plan great, please see the following BNET articles.

10 Painless Steps to Starting and Finishing Your Business Plan:
http://jobfunctions.bnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=68332&tag=content;col1

How To Write A Small Business Strategic Plan:
http://jobfunctions.bnet.com/abstract.aspx?tag=content%3Bcol1&docid=379146&promo=100511

12 Tips for a Successful Business Plan:
http://jobfunctions.bnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=68528&tag=content;col1

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Submit Your Business Plan
Follow the link directly below in order to upload your Business Plan, and we will have one of our mentors or industry experts look at it and give you feedback. Please allow 2-4 weeks for a personal reply.

Be sure to clearly include your contact information and email address on your business plan.

Do not send any confidential information.

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$25K Slaight Communications BPlan Competition
The competition is about you, an aspiring Ryerson student who has a great idea for a new business, a burning desire to launch it, and a need for some seed capital to get it started. Thanks to a generous donation from Mr. Allan Slaight of Slaight Communications, Ryerson University is able to operate a competition where committed entrepreneurial students can be supported in the their desires to create new businesses in the community.

Click the link below to view complete details about the $25K Slaight Communications Business Plan Competition

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Why Attend/Compete in a BPlan Competition?
There are many reasons to submit your plan to a business plan competition or at least attend one in your area. Even if you don't think you can win, there are many reasons to compete:
  • Most competitions give awards in addition to cash including free consulting services, award recognition or free publicity.
  • Know your competition - you may learn of others with similar ideas as yours. You may even be able to collaborate with them.
  • You will get valuable feedback.
  • You will learn whether others "get it" when you pitch your idea. If they don't "get it" then your pitch needs more improvement.
  • Many competitions provide training courses and other helpful programs to help you get ready for the competition.
  • Writing is a guide to thinking. By putting your ideas onto paper, it forces you to be more clear.
  • You will learn what other people look for in a business plan - this will help you with your own.
  • Even if you lose, you still win - Rejection is good for the soul.
  • You might win and get some cash!

You should NEVER be afraid to tell others about your idea! The value is not in the idea, the value is in your ability to execute on the idea. Of course you should not disclose your "Secret Sauce" but you can tell others about your idea and plans without disclosing any of your real Intellectual Property.

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TiEQuest
TiEQuest is an annual business venture competition held in Toronto to encourage entrepreneurship , engage entrepreneurial talent and to foster the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Founded in 2005, the mission of TiEQuest is to connect entrepreneurs with angel investors, venture capitalists and fund managers.

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2010 Green Innovation Awards
Are you an aspiring entrepreneur, inventor, student or environmentally-minded individual or group?

Do you have Toronto’s next great green idea?

Here is your chance to make your great green ideas come true. Through the generous support of the Toronto Community Foundation donors, up to $50,000 is available to be invested as seed money to help you get your green idea off the ground.

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Ontario's Next Top Entrepreneur Start-up Pitch Competition
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Queen's Entrepreneurs' Competition
For the past 21 years QEC has provided university students from across Canada and around the world an opportunity to turn their business dreams into reality. We give out $25,000 in cash awards!

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Debt Financing and Banks 
Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF)
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national charity dedicated to championing tomorrow’s entrepreneurial nation builders. Why? Because our future depends on creating new businesses: to fill the economic gap that is being felt as many small business owners retire, drive innovation, create jobs and support Canada’s overall economic prosperity. This is particularly important as 71% of small business owners will retire within 10 years, with 41% retiring within the next 5 years.

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Canada Small Business Financing Program
The Canada Small Business Financing Program seeks to increase the availability of loans for establishing, expanding, modernizing and improving small businesses. It does this by encouraging financial institutions to make their financing available to small businesses. Under the Program, a small business must apply for a loan at a financial institution (bank, credit union or caisse populaire) of its choice.

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Alterna Bank
Whatever the credit needs of your business, Alterna Bank offers a full range of solutions. Ask the Commercial Account Manager to help you choose the options that will help you maintain and grow your business.

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RBC
RBC works with more small business owners than any other financial institution in Canada. Their small business advisors will work with you to help you achieve success. Take advantage of their knowledge and experience. Talk to them about starting your business.

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Scotiabank
At Scotiabank you can choose the borrowing option that's right for you and your business. We want to help you more effectively manage your business borrowings, save money and give you the credit you deserve.

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TD Canada Trust
Whatever your business financing needs may be, a TD Canada Trust small business loan offers you a wide range of options. A small business loan is an excellent choice to assist with the purchase, improvement, or expansion of business assets.

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CIBC
As a business owner, you don't have any time to waste. You want the right borrowing solutions to help run, develop and/or grow your business. CIBC offers a variety of borrowing solutions to meet your business needs so you can achieve the goals that matter to you.

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Bank of Montreal
BMO Bank of Montreal offers mortgages, loans and leasing options for businesses looking to make capital purchases. The availability of the following products and services is subject to prior credit approval by the Bank.

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CYBF Canadian Newcomer Entrepreneur Program
CYBF is proud to offer the CYBF Canadian Newcomer Program. This program has been designed to help individuals between the ages of 18 to 34, who are new to Canada, access pre-launch coaching, start-up financing, mentoring and business resources to start a business. This program is being piloted in British Columbia and Ontario.

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Equity Financing, Angel and Venture Capital 
What is Ryerson Angel Network (RAN) ?
Depending on the opportunity, once mentors and the expert panel feel that participants are ready, they may be introduced to the Ryerson Angel Network (RAN), Canada’s only university-led source of Angel capital investment. RAN can provide access to equity investment capital from $25,000 to $1,000,000. RAN can also provide additional deal syndication to increase the amount of financing available through the National Angel Capital Organization Co-investment Summit.

To date, RAN has provided over $450,000 of funding for Ryerson alumni started companies

For more information on RAN, please visit the link below.

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Apply to Ryerson Angel Network.
For current or prospective Entrepreneurs, You can apply to the Ryerson Angel Network by following the link below.

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National Angel Capital Organization (NACO)
The National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) is the industry association representing Angel capital throughout Canada.

NACO promotes a vibrant Angel community and culture in Canada through the development of formal Angel investor groups, best practices education and mentoring programs, and the formation of collaboration and co-investment mechanisms to encourage an efficient risk capital market in Canada.

The NACO’s mission is to increase the quantity, quality, and success of Angel investments in Canada, thus creating a greater pool of capital for innovative start-up companies.

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BDC Financing
BDC's mission is to help create and develop Canadian businesses through financing, venture capital and consulting services, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

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Clean Technology Funding
Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is a not-for-profit foundation that finances and supports the development and demonstration of clean technologies which provide solutions to issues of climate change, clean air, water quality and soil, and which deliver economic, environmental and health benefits to Canadians.

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BlackBerry Partners Fund™
The BlackBerry Partners Fund™ was established to deliver superior returns on the compelling investment opportunities present in the applications, services and supporting infrastructure for mobile platforms. The BlackBerry Partners Fund™ is focused on investing in mobile commerce applications (payments, advertising, retailing, and banking), vertical and horizontal enterprise applications, location-based and location-aware applications and services (navigation and mapping), communications, social networking, media and entertainment, and lifestyle and personal productivity applications for the BlackBerry® and other mobile platforms.

The BlackBerry Partners Fund™ will be looking at companies that possess many or all of the following elements:

- Potential product and market leadership

- Competitive differentiation

- Strong management teams

- Clear revenue & cost model



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Government Grants & Loans 
US Government Grants and Programs
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Canadian Government Grants and Loans
The Small Business Finance Center website has plenty of resources including information on grants and subsidies, loans and tax breaks.

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SR&ED
Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program
The SR&ED program is a federal tax incentive program, administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), that encourages Canadian businesses of all sizes, and in all sectors to conduct research and development (R&D) in Canada. It is the largest single source of federal government support for industrial R&D. The SR&ED program gives claimants cash refunds and/or tax credits for their expenditures on eligible R&D work done in Canada.

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Northern Ontario Herritage Fund Corporation
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) is working to build strong, prosperous northern communities and we are pleased to offer seven unique programs to help foster hope and opportunity across Northern Ontario. We’re ready to invest in you. Together we can build a brighter future for all northerners.

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Community Futures Development Corps. in ON
Through Government of Canada funding, CFDCs administer local investment funds to help finance new or existing small businesses and social enterprises for start-up, expansion or stabilization plans that help maintain or create jobs. Repayable financing of up to $150000 on commercial terms through loans, loan guarantees or equity investments is available when financing from other sources is insufficient. All CFDC financing decisions are made at the community level by the local boards of directors

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Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF)
The Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF) accelerates the growth of new technology companies being established in Ontario and positions them for further investment by Angels and VCs. The fund invests up to $500,000 in companies that have the potential to be global leaders in their field and provide sustainable economic benefit to Ontario.

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MaRS
MaRS advisors work with you to help determine your capital requirements. Prepare your presentation. And get you in front of the right potential investors. MaRS has developed relationships with public and private investors.

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Eastern Ontario Development Program
FedDev Ontario's Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) promotes socio-economic development in Eastern Ontario by creating, building and developing the necessary conditions to increase business and employment opportunities in the area. The EODP will assist economic renewal in five priority areas: business and community development; skills development; access to capital; retention and attraction of youth; and technological enhancements.

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Co-operative Education Tax Credit
The Co-operative Education Tax Credit (CETC) is a refundable tax credit. The CETC is available to employers who hire students enrolled in a co-operative education program at an Ontario university or college.

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Canada Periodical Fund
The Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) provides financial assistance to the Canadian magazine and non-daily newspaper industries so they can continue to produce and distribute Canadian content in the face of systemic disadvantages in the marketplace. The CPF has three components: Aid to Publishers, Business Innovation, and Collective Initiatives.

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Career Focus
Under the Youth Employment Strategy, Career Focus provides funding for employers to help post-secondary graduates obtain career-related work opportunities in Canada to support their development of advanced skills, to help them make career-related links to the job market, and to assist them in becoming leaders in their field. Career Focus offers youth a range of work experiences, learning and skill-building activities to help them choose careers and to encourage them to pursue advanced studies.

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Co-operative Development Initiative
The Co-operative Education Tax Credit (CETC) is a refundable tax credit. The CETC is available to employers who hire students enrolled in a co-operative education program at an Ontario university or college.

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Co-operative Education Tax Credit
The Co-operative Education Tax Credit (CETC) is a refundable tax credit. The CETC is available to employers who hire students enrolled in a co-operative education program at an Ontario university or college.

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Skills Link
Under the Youth Employment Strategy program, the Skills Link program helps youth facing barriers to employment - such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas and high school dropouts - obtain the knowledge and develop the broad range of skills and work experience they need to participate in the job market.

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Small Business Internship Program
Do you need help with information and communications technologies (ICT) like e-business? If so, hire a college or university student to help you make your project a reality. Your business could hire a student for a 12 week internship to work on ICT projects and get up to $10,000 towards the intern’s salary. You are responsible for paying 25% of the intern’s wages and related costs. The program will reimburse you for the remaining 75% of the costs.

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Other Sources of Cash 
Social/Community Assistance Funding
Aside from business plan competitions, other funding opportunities are available, such as Social/Community Assistance Funding.

Participants are provided with information about funding opportunities relevant to their idea.
IRAP
Industrial Research Assistance Program
This program is an Industry and Government Partnership program offered through National Research Council. A Canadian firm can access the family of services offered by IRAP and the entire IRAP Technology Network through one of our IRAP Industrial Technology Advisors located across Canada.

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PARO
PARO's Peer Circles help women to increase their capacity for economic self-reliance. Peer Circles are self-selected groups of 4 - 7 women whose members share and network amongst themselves for mutual business benefit. Circle members share their experiences, advise each other, support each other and help each other expand their contact networks.
Peer Circle members also provide lending support by being collectively accountable and providing references for each other, allowing PARO to use different lending criteria than those of traditional banking institutions. Peer lending has helped many Circle members to grow their businesses and set new goals for the future.

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CFLA
The Canadian Finance & Leasing Association (CFLA) represents the asset-based financing, equipment and vehicle leasing industry in Canada. With over $108 billion of financing in place with Canadian businesses and consumers, the asset-based financing industry is the largest provider of debt financing in this country after the traditional lenders (banks and credit unions).

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Saint John CLF
Saint John Community Loan Fund provides small business loans of up to $5,000. You must show that you cannot get a loan elsewhere due to income, assets, security or credit history. "Loans can be used for almost anything as long as it is legal".

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Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit
The Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit equal to 10% of the eligible salaries and wages payable to eligible apprentices in respect of employment after May 1, 2006. The maximum credit is $2,000 per year for each eligible apprentice.

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ERIP
Electricity Retrofit Incentive Program offers you financial incentive to adopt more energy-efficient technologies and improve your bottom line.

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Export Development Canada
If you need money to promote your company in a new foreign market, attend a trade show or increase production capacity for an export order, EDC can help. Through their partnership with Mercantile Finance Services Ltd., EDC can provide unsecured loans of up to $50,000 with flexible repayment terms of up to two years. No pledge of company or personal assets is required and there are no penalties for early payback. A simple application process and policy make it quick and easy to apply.

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Ontario Innovation Tax Credit
The Ontario Innovation Tax Credit (OITC) is a refundable tax credit. It is available to all corporations that perform scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) in Ontario.

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Friends of Greenbelt Foundation
The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation is dedicated to promoting and sustaining the Greenbelt as a beneficial, valuable, and permanent feature, enhancing the quality of life for all residents of Ontario. Our vision is a vibrant and healthy Greenbelt with a protected and restored natural environment, a strong and successful rural countryside, a robust agricultural sector and a pattern of urban settlement that supports the Greenbelt.

We will support a variety of activities in the following three program areas:

* Promoting Greenbelt-grown food; * Greening the Greenbelt through cleaner air and cleaner water; and * Inspiring innovation in the Greenbelt.

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Social Capital Partners
The links on the page provide a gateway to information about organizations involved in venture philanthropy, social entrepreneurship and investment, social change and other related areas.

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