Finding available capital  to start your small business in Canada isn’t too difficult, but timing does have to be right in order to take advantage of it and successfully be able to start your business.

There are many ways to get capital for your small business in Canada and some of these ways include:

• Personal Financing Options
• Family and Friends
• The Banks
• Private Investors
• The Canadian Government

If you are looking for most available capital with as little risk as possible to you – the Canadian government funding options would be something to consider. The Canadian government provides financial assistance though various funding programs and offers government grants, government loans (low interest, no interest, guaranteed loans) as well as tax breaks and credits.

As a small business looking to start up, you are in luck as the Canadian government loves entrepreneurship and funding options may be perfect way for you to take advantage of the available capital and apply it for your business funding needs.

What do you need capital for?

If you’re in need of capital to help you start your business, to hire and train staff, to pay for tools and equipment, to buy supplies, to pay for some advertising..etc, govenrment funding options are definitely something to consider.

While government funding is available or Canadian entrepreneurs to take advantage of, it is something that isn’t right for everyone.

The government offers programs that are only for specific provinces, for specific industries and cover specific needs. Each funding program (there are nearly 1000) has different set of rules, qualifications and criteria one must meet in order to get the funding.

Certain things are also needed before you can get the capital such as:

• You need to have a business plan
• Must meet the funding criteria
• You have to to apply to the right programs
• Be sure to apply on time (before the deadlines)

Seems simple however searching for available capital via the Canadian government funding programs is actually difficult (initially). The search for funding programs is what is time consuming as not all programs come just via the government of Canada but various levels of the government and from various funding agencies.

If the government funding option is something you want to consider when looking for available capital to help you start your small business, consider using the Funding Database to get a head start on your funding search.

Prior to starting your funding search be sure to have your business plan developed and have an understanding of what you need funding for (if you actually need it or just want it) and what you need the funds for. Setting guidelines for yourself prior to starting your funding search will protect you from over borrowing or under borrowing.