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Funding for Business
WD helps to fill the gap between traditional bank lending and the availability of venture capital for small business by working in partnership with western financial institutions and not-for-profit organizations.
Loan and Investment Program
Through the Loan and Investment Program, WD contributes to a loan loss reserve, which offsets a portion of the risk financial institutions experience when lending to small businesses. From the beginning in 1995 until March 2006, these partnerships with independent western financial institutions have provided about 2,862 loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) totalling $ 218.7 million. An estimated $116 million in other financing has been indirectly leveraged.
The following loan programs target specific industry sectors:
- Business Loans For Knowledge And Growth for companies that develop or apply advanced technologies (eligibility criteria)
- Growth Capital for small and medium-sized B.C. companies in traditional industries (eligibility criteria)
- Conservation Finance Program to promote environmentally responsible business growth in British Columbia (eligibility criteria)
A second series of loan programs is designed specifically to meet the needs of very small businesses in Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg:
- VanCity Self-Reliance Loan Program (eligibility criteria)
- Capital City Savings Micro Loans Program (eligibility criteria)
- Assiniboine Credit Union Micro-Loan Program (eligibility criteria)
- Saskatoon Credit Union Micro Loans Program (eligibility criteria)
- Coast Capital Savings Rising Tide Micro Loan Program (eligibility criteria)
Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP) provides loans and other services to help people with disabilities start and build their own small businesses.
To access the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program in your city, click on the links below:
Vancouver | Edmonton | Calgary | Saskatoon | Regina | Winnipeg
In rural communities, the program is offered by WD's network of Community Futures Development Corporations.
Western Canada Business Service Network
Canada Business reduces the complexity of dealing with various levels of government by serving as a single point of access for information on federal and provincial/territorial government services, programs and regulatory requirements for business. These offices also serve as the referral point for the Aboriginal Business Service Network.
Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) offer a variety of services to rural entrepreneurs, including business counseling, loan programs (eligibility criteria) and services targeted to youth and entrepreneurs with disabilities (eligibility criteria).
Women's Enterprise Initiative (WEI) offices provide loan programs (eligibility criteria), business information, mentoring and other services designed to support women entrepreneurs.
Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOs) provide enhanced services to Francophones, including training, access to capital (eligibility criteria), information services, networking and marketing advice.