Accessing Capital
Accessing the capital necessary to launch and grow your business is one
of the most difficult tasks facing entrepreneurs. There are many
different types of financing for entrepreneurs to consider, from Angel financing, to venture capital, and debt capital. Fortunately,
there are a number of different organizations whose web sites contain
useful information to help you learn more about financing options, and
develop a strategy for accessing the capital you need. The Vancouver Enterprise Forum (VEF) is a highly respected lower Mainland based organization, providing networking opportunities and services to the technology community. In addition to other useful information, their website contains information on VANTEC, their Angel Financing Network:
http://www.vef.org/angels/index.html
In addition the VEF site also contains some downloadable documents by Mike Volker entitled The Colour of Money on the different types of financing, and Finding Angels in BC. The respective sites are:
www.vef.org/angels/moneylnk.htm
www.vef.org/angels/angelsinbc.htm
The Federal Government'™s Strategis website contains a large amount of information for entrepreneurs, including sources of financing, and information on small business loans administration. In particular, the Steps to Growth Capital program provides detailed information on becoming investor ready:
www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_x/engdoc/financing.html
The T-Net™Capital Connector Program works to connect entrepreneurs with a qualified network of investors, and includes both a Tech Financing Clinic, and the opportunity to ask online questions of a panel of experts in various aspects of financing:
www.bctechnology.com/frameset_cc.html
The Catalyst Law Corporation is a law firm located in Vancouver, BC, focussed on building and financing young technology companies. Their web site contains a wealth of information on financing, including downloadable documents entitled Preparing for Financing: The Essence of the Pitch and Financing Start-Up Ventures:
www.catalyst-law.com/document/publications
The Canadian Bankers Association have a portion of their web site devoted to information on financing, and the different types of financing available:
www.cba.ca/en/section.asp?fl=3&sl=89&tl=90&docid
The Royal Bank has a good question and answer section on private investors and venture capital:
www.royalbank.com/sme/guides/financing/investors_intro.html
The Canada Business Service Centre'™s site on financing is:
http://www.cbsc.org/english/howtos/finplanning.cfm#finplanning
The Business Development Bank of Canada'™s site contains information on financing and their available spectrum of financial products:
www.bdc.ca/en/home.htm