Use of funds
Define the purchase, operating need or project the money must support.
BUSINESS FINANCING IN CANADA
Turn your next business move into a funding plan.
Whether you need working capital, equipment or room to expand, start with the job the financing needs to do—and how the business would repay it.
Find my business-loan options- Free to use
- Built for Canadian businesses
- No obligation
CLARITY STARTS HERE
A useful question to start withWhat will this funding achieve, and can the business repay if sales are lower than expected?
Who handles thisBanks, credit unions, BDC and commercial lenders
Understand the option, compare the full cost and decide whether a separate application fits your situation.
START WITH YOUR GOAL
What does your business need funding for?
Choose the closest use of funds. Each path asks different questions and may involve a different provider type.
Working capitalCover a timing gap in day-to-day operating cash flow.Equipment or vehiclesFinance or lease assets the business will use to operate.Start or expandExplore funding for a defined launch, purchase or growth plan.Refinance business debtCompare existing obligations with a different repayment structure.
The next step opens a dedicated DebtHelpers form. It does not check your credit or guarantee approval.
MAKE THE NUMBERS WORK
Match the financing structure to the business need
The right question is not simply “How much can I borrow?” Start with how the funds create capacity, bridge timing or reduce a specific constraint.
Cash-flow timing
Match repayments with a conservative view of when revenue reaches the business.
Total financing cost
Compare interest, lender fees, broker fees and any charges tied to the facility.
Security
Ask which business assets or personal guarantees would support the financing.
Repayment flexibility
Check prepayment terms, renewal conditions and what happens if revenue arrives late.
Alternative structures
A term loan, line of credit, lease or invoice facility can solve different timing problems.
PREPARE A STRONGER REQUEST
What to have handy
You do not need to upload documents to use the DebtHelpers form. These details help you prepare for a separate provider conversation.
- The funding purpose and amount
- Recent revenue and major expenses
- Existing business debts and guarantees
- A specific use for the financing and the amount required
- Business age, structure and province of operation
- Recent revenue and a conservative cash-flow forecast
- Current business debts, payments and available security
- For a start-up: the business plan, owner investment and launch budget
YOUR NEXT STEP
Put the business need and repayment plan in the same conversation.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Know before you continue
Can a start-up request business financing?
Yes, a start-up can make an enquiry, but approval is not guaranteed. Prepare a realistic business plan, launch budget, owner investment and a clear explanation of how repayments would be covered.
Do I need business revenue already?
Requirements vary by product and provider. Existing revenue can help demonstrate repayment capacity, while start-up financing may rely more heavily on the plan, owner contribution, security and personal credit.
Is a personal guarantee always required?
Not always, but it is common in small-business financing. Ask exactly who is responsible, which assets secure the obligation and what happens if the business cannot repay.
Is this a government loan application?
No. DebtHelpers is not a government website or lender. The federal Canada Small Business Financing Program is delivered through participating financial institutions, which make their own lending decisions.
Related Canadian guides
Primary sources
Sources provide general context. Availability, provider criteria and individual circumstances determine actual options.