Ask most Canadian small business owners what keeps them up at night and the answer is rarely competition or marketing. It's money. More specifically, it's the unpredictable gap between money coming in and money going out. Over 20% of small businesses in Canada are actively concerned about cash flow issues, and given how tight operating conditions have been, that number makes sense. Profitable businesses fail every year in this country. Not because the product wasn't good or the customers weren't there, but because the timing was off.
A cash flow cushion is how you protect yourself from that timing problem. It's not about hoarding cash or being conservative to the point of paralysis. It's about building the kind of financial breathing room that lets you make decisions from a position of stability rather than panic.
Here's how to actually do it.
You can't build a cushion if you don't know where the gaps are. The first step is getting honest about your monthly inflows and outflows. Not revenue projections, not what you hope to collect. Actual cash.
Map out your recurring fixed costs: rent, payroll, insurance, loan payments, subscriptions. Then layer in your variable costs: inventory, supplies, fuel, contractors. Finally, look at when your customers actually pay you. If you're invoicing net-30 or net-60, there's a real lag between completing work and seeing money. That lag is where businesses get into trouble.
Build a rolling 90-day cash flow forecast and update it every two weeks. You're looking for months where outflows spike or inflows dip. Payroll runs, GST/HST remittances, lease renewals, slow seasons: all of it shows up clearly when you're looking forward instead of reacting.
Before looking at outside financing, squeeze your existing cycle. Send invoices the same day work is completed. Offer a small early-payment discount if your margins allow for it (1-2% is enough to change behavior for most customers). Chase overdue accounts on a consistent schedule rather than waiting until you desperately need the money.
On the payables side, don't pay early out of habit. Know your terms and use them. If a supplier offers net-30 and you've been paying in five days, you're giving away cash float. Negotiate better terms when you can. Suppliers who value the relationship will often extend payment windows for reliable customers.
Take an honest look at inventory. Excess stock is cash sitting on a shelf. Float's 2025 Canadian Business Report found that average cash balances across Canadian businesses dropped nearly 5% while total debt stayed flat, meaning businesses are spending down reserves just to keep operating. That's a dangerous place to be when a slow month hits.
Most financial advisors suggest keeping three to six months of operating expenses in reserve. For many small businesses, that number feels unreachable. Start smaller. Even 30 days of operating expenses in a separate account changes the math significantly when something goes sideways.
The key is treating the reserve contribution like any other fixed expense. A set percentage of every deposit goes to the reserve account. Even 3-5% of monthly revenue, consistently applied, builds real cushion over a year or two.
If your business is seasonal, plan around your peaks. When revenue is strong, bank more than your baseline. Build the cushion before the slow months arrive, not after.
Here's something a lot of business owners get backwards: the best time to access financing is before you need it. When you're approaching a lender from a stable position, you have options. When you're in crisis, you don't.
Lines of credit work well for businesses with relatively predictable revenue patterns. Apply when things are going well, even if you don't intend to use the credit immediately. Having the facility in place means you can respond to opportunity or a cash dip without scrambling.
For businesses with strong daily or weekly sales volume but inconsistent bank lending access, a merchant cash advance can provide fast, flexible capital that repays in proportion to your sales. That structure is genuinely useful for managing cash flow because payments naturally flex with your revenue.
For businesses in construction and trades, project timing creates serious cash flow volatility and receivables often lag months behind work performed. Know what your options are before you're staring down a payroll gap. Retailers carrying large inventory positions ahead of peak seasons can look at inventory and growth funding that moves with how their business actually cycles.
The right type of fast business funding depends entirely on your business model. A restaurant has different needs than a trucking company. Knowing which products fit your situation, before you're under pressure, is part of building a real cushion strategy.
Your ability to access affordable financing is directly tied to how lenders see you. If your credit has taken hits, whether personal or business, that limits your options and raises your cost of capital. But it doesn't eliminate them.
Alternative lenders evaluate businesses differently than traditional banks do. Revenue history, consistency, and industry matter as much or more than a clean credit score. Access-to-capital concerns among small businesses hit 29% in 2025, well above the historical average of 22%. That pressure is real, but it's also created a broader ecosystem of lenders who specialize in situations traditional banks won't touch.
If your credit has taken hits, you have more options than you think. It's practical knowledge worth having before you actually need it.
A cash flow cushion isn't a one-time project. It's a discipline. The businesses that consistently weather downturns, seasonal dips, and unexpected costs are almost never the ones with the most revenue. They're the ones that made financial visibility and reserve-building a weekly habit, not an annual conversation with their accountant.
According to the federal government's Key Small Business Statistics report, small businesses contribute over 33% of Canada's private sector GDP and employ nearly half the private sector workforce. The stakes for getting this right extend well beyond any single balance sheet.
The cash isn't always there yet. But the plan for getting there can start today.
If you're looking for guidance on which financing options make sense for your business right now, the team at 2M7.ca is available to walk you through.
If you have ever sat across from a bank representative, filled out a stack of forms, and walked away empty-handed, you are not alone. Securing small business funding in Canada has become genuinely harder over the past few years. Interest rates have climbed, underwriting standards tightened, and many business owners who would have been approved without question five years ago are now facing rejection letters. That reality is frustrating, and it deserves to be named plainly before we talk about what you can actually do about it.
The good news is that understanding exactly what lenders evaluate changes the entire game. Whether you are pursuing a traditional bank loan, a Merchant Cash Advance, or another form of fast business funding, the criteria lenders use to assess your application are knowable. Here is what goes on behind the scenes.
Credit History vs. Business Health: What Actually Matters More
Personal credit scores get a lot of attention, and they do matter. But for most small business owners seeking funding outside the Big 5 banks, they are rarely the deciding factor. Alternative lenders are far more focused on the operational health of your business than they are on a three-digit number pulled from your credit bureau file.
The reason is simple: a lender who advances capital against your future revenue wants to know whether that revenue is real, consistent, and growing. A credit score tells them about your past borrowing behaviour. Bank statements tell them whether your business can actually repay what it borrows.
That said, a damaged personal credit history can still complicate your application, particularly when it comes to interest rates and loan structures. If you are worried that your credit history might disqualify you, you can read more about how to get a business loan with a bad credit score to see what other options are available.
The Big 5 Banks vs. Alternative Lenders: Understanding the Friction
Canada's major chartered banks operate under regulatory frameworks that require them to be conservative. Their approval processes are designed for businesses with established revenue, years of audited financials, strong personal credit, and collateral. For many small business owners, especially those in their first few years of operation, those requirements create a wall that is genuinely difficult to climb.
Alternative lenders exist precisely because that wall has left a large segment of the Canadian small business market underserved. Products like Merchant Cash Advances, revenue-based financing, and short-term small business loans were built for businesses that have real cash flow but do not fit a bank's rigid profile. The approval timelines are shorter, the documentation requirements are more practical, and the underwriting process is designed to assess your actual business rather than compare you to an institutional checklist.
This does not mean alternative lending is without scrutiny. Reputable alternative lenders still evaluate your application carefully. But the criteria they use tend to be more relevant to where your business actually is today.
Essential Documentation: What to Have Ready
One of the genuine advantages of working with an alternative lender like 2M7 over a traditional bank is how straightforward the documentation requirements actually are. While a bank might ask for years of audited financials, business plans, and tax returns, getting approved for a Merchant Cash Advance requires just three things:
That is it. The bank statements give lenders a clear picture of your cash flow, the frequency and consistency of deposits, your average balances, and how existing obligations are being managed. The ID and void cheque handle identity verification and ensure funds are deposited directly into the right account.
Being organized still matters. Having these three documents ready before you apply signals that you run your business with intention, and it keeps the process moving quickly. Approvals can happen in as little as a few hours, with funds deposited within 24 hours of approval. If you want to put your best foot forward before applying, we've put together some effective strategies to help boost your business cash flow.
How Industry Risk Shapes Your Application
Not all businesses are treated equally by underwriters, and that is worth understanding before you apply. Lenders build risk models that factor in historical default rates by sector. Some industries are considered higher risk, not because of anything specific about your business, but because of how that category has performed across thousands of loans.
Restaurants, retail, and construction businesses, for example, often carry more scrutiny than professional services or healthcare businesses. Seasonal businesses face questions about cash flow stability. Newly regulated industries, or those with volatile margins, may trigger additional review.
This does not mean lenders in these sectors cannot get funded. It means the strength of your cash flow documentation, your time in business, and your repayment history need to work harder. Knowing which box your business falls into before you apply lets you structure your application in a way that addresses those concerns proactively. Regardless of your industry, the key is showing the stability of your operations.
Collateral: How It Works in the Canadian Landscape
Collateral requirements vary considerably between lenders. Traditional bank loans often require tangible assets like real property, equipment, or inventory as security. For many small business owners, that requirement alone is enough to end the conversation before it starts.
For 2M7, our Merchant Cash Advance requires no collateral. You are not asked to put your property, personal assets, or business equipment on the line. Funding is extended based on your business's revenue and performance, full stop.
At 2M7, we prioritize transparency and clarity. That means you will know your complete cost of capital before you sign, with no hidden fees or surprises down the line. If you have questions about how any part of the agreement works, we are always happy to walk you through it.
Ready to See What You Qualify For?
The application process does not need to feel like a black box. 2M7 works with Canadian small business owners every day to find funding structures that fit their actual situation, not just the profile a bank wants to see.
If you would like to talk through your options without any obligation, reach out to us directly. We will take the time to understand your business and connect you with a funding solution that makes sense.
Running a small business in Canada is one of the most rewarding things a person can do. It is also one of the most financially demanding. You have likely experienced the particular tension of knowing your business is performing well on paper while watching your bank account tell a different story. A major client is 60 days past due. A seasonal lull has arrived ahead of schedule. A supplier is offering a bulk discount that expires before your next revenue cycle closes.
This is the cash gap, and it has nothing to do with how well you run your business. It is simply the reality of operating in an economy built on delayed payments, unpredictable demand, and tight margins. For restaurant owners managing weekend rushes and mid-week lulls, for contractors waiting on draws from general contractors, for retailers carrying seasonal inventory before sales materialize, this gap is not a sign of failure. It is a structural challenge that every business owner eventually confronts.
The question is not whether the gap will appear. The question is what tool you reach for when it does.
There is a meaningful difference between borrowing out of desperation and borrowing as a deliberate business strategy. Most business owners have experienced the former: scrambling to cover payroll, negotiating with suppliers, or dipping into personal savings to keep operations moving. That kind of reactive borrowing is stressful, often expensive, and tends to happen at the worst possible time.
Proactive capital is different. It means having access to funds before the emergency arrives, using financing to take advantage of opportunities rather than to avoid collapse. It might look like purchasing inventory at a bulk discount, hiring a key employee ahead of a growth period, or bridging a gap between two large contracts so your team stays intact and your momentum stays strong.
This is where fast working capital becomes a genuine asset. When a business owner understands their financing options before they need them, they can move quickly and with confidence. They become the kind of operator who says yes to opportunity rather than the kind who watches it pass.
Most introductions to merchant cash advances cover the basics: a lender provides a lump sum of capital, and repayment comes through a percentage of your daily credit and debit card sales. That structure is accurate, but it undersells one of the most important features of this product.
An MCA functions as a fluctuating safety net. Because repayments are tied directly to your daily sales volume, your payment obligations contract automatically when business slows down. During a quiet January, a restaurant remits less. During a slow construction season, a contractor's burden eases. When volume picks back up, repayments adjust accordingly. There is no fixed monthly payment sitting on your books demanding the same amount whether you had a record week or a difficult one.
This is fundamentally different from a term loan, where a fixed payment comes out regardless of how business is going. For industries with natural revenue cycles, that rigidity can be genuinely dangerous. The flexible structure of merchant cash advances removes that rigidity, replacing it with a repayment rhythm that breathes alongside your business.
The approval process is also designed with the realities of small business in mind. Where a traditional bank will scrutinize years of financial statements, credit scores, and collateral, an MCA provider focuses on your actual sales history. Your revenue tells the story that matters.
There are specific situations where a merchant cash advance is clearly the better tool compared to a conventional bank loan. Here are the scenarios where business owners consistently find it valuable:
In each of these cases, speed and flexibility matter more than the cost comparison to a conventional loan. The opportunity cost of waiting is higher than the cost of the capital itself.
In construction, the cash flow problem is almost universal. Materials need to be purchased, subcontractors need to be paid, and equipment needs to be maintained long before a draw schedule releases the next tranche of project funding. A merchant cash advance bridges that gap without requiring the collateral or credit profile that banks demand. Especially for construction companies, this kind of flexible capital is often the difference between taking on the next contract and turning it down.
In retail and food service, the challenges are different but equally real. Inventory decisions get made months in advance. Staffing ramps up before revenue does. A single slow season can destabilize months of careful planning. Having a capital partner who understands these cycles, and whose product is structured to accommodate them, changes how a business owner approaches their planning.
2M7 is not simply a transaction. The goal is to function as a genuine partner in the financial health of your business, providing tools that help you maintain stability when the market becomes unpredictable and capture growth when the window opens.
Canadian small businesses deserve access to capital that was actually designed for the way they operate, not the way a spreadsheet imagines they operate. A merchant cash advance, used strategically and with clear intent, can be that tool.
If you are navigating a cash flow challenge or preparing for a growth opportunity and want to understand what funding might look like for your specific situation, the 2M7 team is ready to have that conversation. Reach out directly and speak with someone who understands the pressures you are managing.
According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), 2025 was a divided year for Canadian small business: while 37% of owners reported a good year in terms of revenues and profits, 35% reported a poor one. The smallest firms felt it most. Among businesses with fewer than five employees, only 35% described 2025 as a good year, compared to 42% of larger firms. Tariff pressures, high operating costs, and slowing business dynamism have left many owners caught in a difficult position.
For those who have turned to the bank for help, the options are often limited. The federal government's Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) issued just 6,409 loans totalling nearly $1.9 billion in 2024-25, a record in program history. But with approximately 1.2 million small businesses in Canada, the reach of traditional financing programs remains narrow. The average CSBFP loan size was $294,067, which is far more than what most small business owners need to solve a specific, immediate cash flow problem.
A Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) is one alternative worth understanding. It is not a bank loan. It is an advance on your future revenue, repaid as a percentage of daily sales, with a single fixed cost of capital disclosed upfront. There are no interest charges, no hidden fees, and no collateral requirements.
Some industries tend to benefit from this kind of flexible, short-term working capital more than others. Below are five industries which benefit from a merchant cash advance:
Canada's foodservice sector added nearly 24,000 jobs between January and November 2025 according to Restaurants Canada, a sign that demand is holding up. Growth, however, requires capital, and restaurant revenue is inherently unpredictable. Equipment needs replacing without warning. A slow season can erode a cash position that looked healthy a few months earlier. Traditional lenders typically want two or more years of financial history and strong collateral before approving financing, which many independent restaurant owners cannot provide.
A merchant cash advance can provide working capital in the range of $5,000 to $300,000, with approval typically within one business day and funds deposited within 24 hours. Because repayments are tied to a percentage of daily sales, owners pay more when business is strong and less when it slows. This structure suits the seasonal and variable nature of restaurant revenue better than a fixed monthly payment.
One restaurant owner who used 2M7 funding for a kitchen equipment upgrade described the experience this way: "Highly recommend 2M7 if you are planning any big purchases. They helped us get funding for the new kitchen equipment and we continue to upgrade our facility."
Construction businesses routinely face a timing problem: materials, equipment, and labour costs arrive before client payments do. Payment terms of 30, 60, or even 90 days are common, which means contractors are often funding project costs out of their own cash flow while waiting for invoices to clear. Banks are generally reluctant to lend against this kind of irregular, project-based revenue, which leaves many contractors with limited options when they need capital quickly.
A merchant cash advance can help bridge the gap between project start and payment receipt, allowing contractors to cover immediate costs without waiting on a lengthy approval process or pledging personal assets.
Sean Morales, who needed funding for a demolition project, noted: "We need funds for a demolition project for our office. These guys got it done in less than 24 hrs."
More information on how working capital applies to the construction sector is available on 2M7's construction and trades funding page.
Canadian e-commerce orders rose 20% in 2025 according to Omnisend, reflecting continued growth in both online and in-store retail. Sustaining that growth requires inventory investment well ahead of actual sales. Retailers need to order stock months before peak seasons, and suppliers often require payment before goods are delivered. A bank approval process that takes weeks is rarely compatible with those timelines.
Merchant cash advances allow retailers to access the capital they need for inventory, seasonal staffing, or store improvements without lengthy documentation requirements or the need to pledge collateral.
Morgan Lowe, a boutique retailer who used an MCA to expand her store, said: "I am a small business owner that just recently expanded and was struggling to find funding. 2M7 came through and has been wonderful to deal with."
For businesses where inventory is the core challenge, the impact can be ongoing. Visionary Hydroponics noted: "We are a small business and maintaining inventory can be a challenge. These types of [advances] help keep product on the shelf."
Details on how 2M7 works with retailers are available on the retail inventory and growth funding page.
BMO's Fall 2025 Canada Truck Transportation update describes the Canadian trucking industry as still in a fragile state, with trade barriers and tariff uncertainty continuing to weigh on domestic and cross-border freight volumes, rates, and fleet fundamentals. For owner-operators and small fleets, this means running lean while still needing to cover fuel, maintenance, and payroll between loads.
Traditional financing in this sector often requires an established credit history and years of documented revenue, which can be difficult to demonstrate during a period of industry-wide softness. A merchant cash advance offers a more accessible path to short-term working capital, with repayments that adjust alongside revenue rather than remaining fixed regardless of conditions.
More detail on how this applies to transportation businesses is available on 2M7's trucking funding page.
Seasonal businesses face a structural cash flow challenge that most financing products are not designed for. Revenue arrives in concentrated bursts, while costs related to insurance, equipment upkeep, and preparing for the next season continue year-round. A lender evaluating a landscaping company's winter financials will often see a picture that looks worse than the underlying business actually is.
The CFIB's December 2025 survey found that smaller firms are the most vulnerable to sudden cost pressures and disruptions. For seasonal operators, that kind of pressure is predictable and recurring rather than exceptional.
A merchant cash advance with flexible repayment can work with this pattern rather than against it. When revenue is strong in peak season, repayments reflect that. When it drops in the off-season, repayments decrease proportionally. Owners are not locked into a fixed payment schedule that ignores the realities of how their business operates.
Businesses interested in a merchant cash advance through 2M7 need to meet a straightforward set of criteria:
No collateral is required. Approval decisions take into account overall revenue and business activity, not credit score alone.
2M7 offers two repayment structures. Fixed payments mean the same amount is debited on a regular schedule, with the option to request a reduction if revenue drops significantly. Flex payments are tied directly to a percentage of daily sales, so repayment amounts naturally rise and fall with business activity. The flex option is available to businesses that process daily credit and debit transactions.
Before signing, the total cost of capital is presented clearly. There are no origination fees, application fees, interest charges, brokerage fees, annual maintenance fees, or early repayment penalties. The cost disclosed upfront is the only cost.
Once a business is an existing client, requesting additional funding is straightforward. Clients can contact their dedicated representative directly by phone or text, and if approved, funds can be deposited within 30 minutes.
"2M7 greatly guided us through the entire process of funding for our small business. We're extremely pleased with their clear explanations of what to expect and their steady commitment to helping us." -- Kotryna Zis
"Had the pleasure of dealing with 2M7 and Yakov, who helped our business get approved with funds in my account the next day. Greatly appreciate their help. Everything that we talked about was provided." -- Brady Douglas
"2M7 has been so wonderful to work with. Every employee I speak with is incredibly helpful and kind. I would never have been able to get back on my feet after COVID-19 if not for them." -- Jenny Watson
A merchant cash advance is not the right fit for every situation. It works best for businesses that have consistent revenue, need capital quickly, and want repayment terms that reflect how their business actually performs rather than a fixed schedule set by a lender.
Canada's government financing programs reached fewer than 6,500 businesses last year in a country with over a million small businesses. For many owners who fall outside the criteria those programs require, alternative working capital solutions are worth exploring.
If your business is based in Canada, has been operating for at least three months, and brings in at least $15,000 per month in revenue, you can check your eligibility with 2M7 without a lengthy application process.
Related reading: What is a Merchant Cash Advance? 2M7 vs. Other Merchant Cash Advance Options The Truth About Small Business Loans 5 Ways to Market Your Small Business on a Budget
Sources: CFIB: A Divided Year, Small Business Performance in 2025 ISED: Canada Small Business Financing Program, Overview and Highlights 2024-25 Retail Insider / Restaurants Canada: Foodservice sector added nearly 24,000 jobs in 2025 BMO: Industry Update, Canada Truck Transportation, Fall 2025 Retail Insider / Omnisend: Canadian E-Commerce Orders Rose 20% in 2025
As a small business owner, when you go to a bank for a business loan, instead of looking at the performance of your business, the bank will check your personal credit score first. This means, even if your business is performing well and profitably, a fair credit score of 600-650 could prevent you from getting a small business loan. A credit score of under 600 portrays you as a high-risk borrower and will make it nearly impossible to borrow even a small loan.A low credit score stops business loans being disbursed to profitable and stable businesses. Bad credit history will follow you and your business for years. For example, you may have owned a successful business for a few years and now you are looking for funds to expand into another city or purchase more equipment, but when you visit the bank, the loan officer turns you away. Why? The answer is easy – his decision is based on your poor personal credit history.
There is no standard scale that defines your credit score. That evaluation varies from a credit agency to a credit agency as they set their own criteria. A credit report from Equifax may give a person one number, while a credit report from another institution will very likely suggest a higher or lower credit score for the same person. Credit scores in Canada are officially assessed by two entities: Equifax and TransUnion.
Therefore, if you have a credit score of 649 or lower, it will dramatically reduce the chance of your business loan being approved. Since major banks first look to the business owner’s personal credit score, even exceptional business performance may not make you eligible for loans, or high-interest rates may apply to you.
If the borrower has a bad credit score, other than a higher likelihood of being refused a loan by the major financial institutions, there are a few other ramifications:
Fortunately, there are ways of getting business loans for your company even if you - the borrower - have bad credit. To get small business loans with bad credit history, private lenders are one of the best options. These are more local lenders, better tuned to market conditions, who offer more flexible loan options. There are many private lenders that can provide small business loans. Bad credit history or credit score will make little or no difference to the loan, depending on the type of loan you opt for. Moreover, the application process is much easier and repayments are more flexible. It is possible that a private lender will ask you to open a business bank account with them before they provide you with funding.
Merchant cash advance (MCA) lenders provide cash advances, customize private terms and business equity line of credit to small business owners. This would be the best way to get a business loan with no credit assessment, and beneficial repayment terms if you happen to have a bad credit history. Instead of checking your personal credit score, a merchant cash advance provider assesses your business’ performance and monthly credit card sales.The MCA lender will give you an upfront sum of cash in exchange for a percentage of the business’s daily credit card income. The MCA lender will tie into the credit card processor directly to settle credit card payments so the business owner does not have to worry about missing the payments or dealing with administrative processes. There are many pros and cons of having MCA but regardless of that, it is still considered as the best way to get business fundings.A private term loan gives you the same perks as a small business loan from a major lending institution. However, the private lender does not give the same weight to your bad credit when deciding on the small business loan. Instead, the lender mitigates the risk with fixed daily repayment terms.A business equity line of credit is much less reliant on the credit history of the business owner. Therefore, if you have a bad credit history and require financing for your business, you can use your equity in the business as collateral. A business equity line of credit helps businesses resolve their cash flow issues, though it does require putting up a part of your ownership as collateral.
For entrepreneurs with bad credit seeking business loans for their start-up, private lenders and alternative lending are the best options. Where small business loan applications at major institutions have a less than 25% chance of approval, merchant cash advance (MCA) approvals stand at over 97%! This is because MCAs do not evaluate the business owner’s personal credit score, and only take into account business performance. Besides that, MCAs can be approved within 4-6 hours.Government loans and grants are also great options. Both have flexible repayment terms and offer additional business support to small entities. However, some of the government loans may require a good credit history and may have strict eligibility criteria.
Apart from using funds to expand their business, business loans can help borrowers improve their personal credit scores. Once you opt for an equity line of credit or a private term loan, make sure to pay on time and your credit score will improve over time. As a result, the better your credit score is, the lower your interest rates will be and you will have a greater chance to access financial lending markets.Borrowing is an inherent part of any business regardless of its size and the industry it operates in. Major financial institutions and private lenders usually lend to businesses with exceptional credit histories opposed to those with a bad one. Don’t let your bad credit history stop your business from getting the financing it needs. Options such as a merchant cash advance (MCA) will provide you with the required funding, as well as improve your credit card history in general. If you think it might be a good solution for you, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
If you’re an entrepreneur seeking affordable funding options for your business without giving up equity or being burdened by debt, Revenue-Based Financing (RBF) might be just what you’re looking for! RBF has been steadily rising in popularity among growth-stage companies, and for good reason; the flexibility and unique blend of equity and debt financing is changing the game as it keeps you in control every step of the way.But that’s not all. A whole world of revenue-based avenues, such as Merchant Cash Advances and Factoring are entering the scene too!In this article, we will dive into the world of RBF, its alternatives, and provide you with valuable resources to help you make an informed decision about financing your business.
Revenue Based Financing is a new type of funding that combines the convenience of a business loan with the peace of mind of flexible repayment options. Instead of a set monthly repayment, RBF allows your company to trade a percentage of sales for start-up capital. This allows you and the investor, as it provides the funds you need without tying up valuable equity or incurring debt. Your investor can rest easy knowing that they will receive regular payments (though the amounts may vary) under a legally binding contract.
Venture capital firms, dedicated RBF investors, or angel investors are a good place to start.
Present your business plan, financials and growth projections to the investor. Show them your intended use of the funds and your company’s potential for generating consistent revenue.
If the investor is interested, this is where you will negotiate the investment amount, percentage of revenue shared, repayment cap, and anything else that is pertinent to the deal.
Once the terms are agreed upon, both you and the investor sign a legally binding document that outlines the specifics of the deal.
Receive your funds (usually in a lump sum), and put them to work in marketing, product development, hiring, or other areas that will propel your company’s growth forward.
As your business starts generating revenue, repay your investor based on the agreed-upon monthly percentage.
Once you have hit the predetermined repayment cap, your obligation to the investor is fulfilled, and you retain full control of your business.
If your business is retail based or receives a high volume of revenue from credit card transactions (such as a restaurant), Merchant Cash Advances may be a more suitable financing option. With MCA, you exchange a percentage of future credit card sales for the lump sum investment.
Once you find a reputable Merchant Cash Advance provider, apply for funding using the above-mentioned information for your business, as well as your credit card transaction history.
Again, usually a lump sum.
MCA offers a big advantage in that you have quick access to the funds, and the flexibility of repayments being tied to sales, which eliminates the need for collateral. However, MCA’s can be more expensive than a traditional loan, and the deduction from your daily sales may impact your cash flow for a time.
Factoring is also known as accounts receivable financing or invoice financing. It may work best for you if your business is facing cash flow issues due to slow-paying clients. With factoring, you sell your unpaid invoices to a factoring company at a discount, and they take care of collecting the funds.
Preferably one that specializes in your industry.
Usually 70-90% of the invoice amount.
The Factoring company will subtract their fees and pay you the agreed upon amount right away.
Now it’s out of your hands, and the factoring company takes care of collecting the overdue amount from your clients!
Once the client pays, the Factoring Company will send you the remaining balance, minus their fees. Factoring eliminates the need for you to waste time chasing after clients to pay their invoices, and gives you quick access to the funds, relieving your financial stress. However, like merchant cash advances, factoring can be more expensive than a traditional loan.
After reading this article and looking into the different financing options for your business, you hopefully have an idea of which option is best for your business. Ultimately though, the biggest factors to consider are:
Once you determine those, you can make the choice that works best to propel your business forward! Revenue Based Financing is getting more creative and attainable as the structure of our economy evolves. It really is becoming the financing option of the future.
The results are in. This year’s winner of the 2M7 Forward Thinkers Scholarship is Claire O’Brien. As a member of The University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, Claire was able to overcome stiff competition in this year’s contest. To do so, Claire not only demonstrated a strong performance in her academic journey thus far, but also clearly communicated a keen interest to harness the knowledge she acquired to this point, to succeed in the world of business as she moves toward her professional goals. Claire exhibited the enthusiasm, and aptitude that 2M7 Financial Solutions’ CEO, Avi Bernstein was looking to reward, and intended to encourage with the creation of this scholarship opportunity.
“Each year, university students face multiple challenges in their pursuit of their academic goals; and these stretch far beyond the classroom. Post-secondary schooling is extremely expensive and places a significant financial burden on those who attend, which can potentially negatively impact the studies of these students as they see to the financial obligations that arise with school funding. That is why I made it one of my goals to help lessen this burden: these students have enough “on their plate”; I want them to focus on what they are paying to study not on how they are going to pay for it. Claire’s essay not only exhibited her potential for business success, but also showed me a character that the 2M7 team strives to promote when we do business. Congratulations, Claire.
The 2M7 Forward Thinkers Scholarship is an annual scholarship that is available for post-secondary students studying in a business related field; and offers the winner a reward of $2,500 so they can better manage the expenses of their schooling. This year we had another strong applicant pool; and we encourage those not selected this year, to re-apply during next year’s contest, for their chance to get a generous amount of financial assistance. We at 2M7 would like to thank all those who participated in this year’s contest; and we wish all those that did decide to vie for this scholarship all the best in their future endeavours.
