Fair Finance Fund
The Fair Finance Fund provides loans that benefit the sector as well as your business—equitable and accessible capital for Ontario’s local food and farm enterprises. Loans are typically from $20,000 to $200,000, and include up to 10 hours of mentorship and business assistance during the loan period. The Fair Finance Fund is a non-profit social finance fund dedicated to providing loans and mentorship services.
In addition, the REAL Assist Mentorship Program offers reliable, expert business assistance to local food and farm social enterprises. The program provides you with the guidance and support you need to fulfill your business goals and social mission. Technical hands-on assistance is available to any food or farm business in Ontario who is dedicated to making a positive social, environmental or economic impact. — Top ↑
Futurpreneur
Futurpreneur Canada makes it easier for aspiring young business owners to secure financing. And we’ve partnered with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to extend our support to you even further. From business plan to business success, they offer financing, mentoring and expertise to get your startup off the ground. If you’re 18–39 and ready to launch a business, we’re here to help you. — Top ↑
FCC-FAC
With FCC, you can get customized financing through the Starter Loan and Young Farmer Loan. Plus, you can attend FCC events for farmers under 40, and get tools and advice to help take your business plans to the next level.
FCC lends money and provides other services to support the food industry. From startups to mature enterprises, they partner with businesses and entrepreneurs to help you reach your full potential. If your business is looking to grow or expand, let’s talk and help you find new opportunities through the FCC networks and financing expertise.
The Young Entrepreneur Loan at FCC offers financing of up to $1.5 million per qualified applicant, under age 40. It can be used to start or expand a business and to purchase shares in an agriculture-related business, including those in the agri-food sector. — Top ↑
Desjardins Ontario Credit Union
Are you an entrepreneur at heart? Go into business and build your own company with resources to help you get your project off the ground. Founding a new company takes serious time and preparation. They’ve put together some startup guidance so you can discover more about how to create, finance and launch your business. Make your business dreams a reality with the right partners and tools at your disposal. — Top ↑
Business Development Bank of Canada
The Business Development Bank of Canada is the financial institution devoted to Canadian entrepreneurs. They help create and develop strong Canadian businesses through financing, advisory services and capital, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. They support entrepreneurs in all industries and at all stages of development from business centres across Canada and online. — Top ↑
Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA)
The Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) Program is a loan guarantee program designed to increase the availability of loans to farmers and agricultural cooperatives. Farmers can use these loans to establish, improve, and develop farms, while agricultural cooperatives may also access loans to process, distribute, or market the products of farming.
Under the CALA, the federal government guarantees, to the lender, repayment of 95% of a net loss on an eligible loan issued. The maximum aggregate loan limit for any one farm operation is $500,000. Lenders, such as banks, credit unions and caisses populaires, issue and administer loans under the CALA program. — Top ↑
Canada Small Business Financing Program
The Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.
Small businesses or start-ups operating in Canada are eligible, with gross annual revenues of $10 million or less. Not eligible under this program are farming businesses (for a similar program for the farming industry, visit the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program).
