Financing offered by the CAEHM
The CAEHM is committed to supporting and providing entrepreneurs with the advice, assistance and resources they need to carry out their business project. As such, it welcomes all applications for financing and support submitted by eligible entrepreneurs.
Different financing programs are available, in four broad categories: Youth Strategy Fund, Support for Self-Employment, Regular Investment Fund and Emergency Loans.
Overview of the CAEHM’s offer.
Youth Strategy Fund
The Youth Strategy Fund is a financing program that offers personal loans from $5,000 to $25,000 to support entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 39 in starting up, acquiring or growing a business. In addition to the financing, this program provides access to resources like technical assistance, guidance, information and follow-up.
Terms
Be between 18 and 39 years of age
Apply for an amount between $5,000 and $25,000
Interest rate between 3.05% and 6.05%
Capital and interest repaid via monthly instalments
No interest charged for the first 24 months*
Up to six-month moratorium on the repayment of the capital
Guarantees may be required
Terms
Receive employment insurance benefits or social assistance
Be unemployed or have precarious employment
Develop a project in an eligible area of activity
Invest a minimum of 35h/week into carrying out the project
Assistance provided for maximum 52 weeks
Support for Self-Employment
The Support for Self-Employment measure is a financial support program that enables entrepreneurs to develop a business plan and launch their business with complete peace of mind, giving them the time needed to build a solid foundation.
To benefit from this assistance, your project must:
- Be viable
- Meet a local need
- Be in a prioritized industry
- Not create unfair competition with similar businesses in the same area
Regular Investment Fund
The Regular Investment Fund is the CAEHM’s regular financing program. It gives entrepreneurs access to financial resources regardless of what stage their business is at. The money can be used as a bridge loan, or to grow the business, acquire assets or consolidate the market.
Terms
Create or consolidate at least two jobs
Guarantees required: personal surety bond, life insurance or other
Interest rate around 8.5% (according to project risk)
Amortization of the loan over a period of 24 to 36 months
Terms
Loan of up to $10,000
Identification and explanation of how the money will be used
Guarantees required: personal surety bond, life insurance or other
Interest rate around 8.5% (according to project risk)
Amortization of the loan over a period of maximum 12 months
Emergency Loan
Sometimes a customer’s payment is guaranteed, but will arrive a few days later. An emergency loan can be used to cover a very temporary shortage of working capital, to pay a new supplier in cash, to fix a machine that breaks down unexpectedly or other.
In addition to the loans, emergency support programs are sometimes offered in exceptional situations, like the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF), a measure created in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Process for submitting a financing application
Wanting to provide exceptional service to entrepreneurs who are seeking financing, the CAEHM now offers an online application form (Step 1). After we receive your application, one of our advisors will contact you to finalize steps 2 and 3.
STEP 2
Fill out the grid to determine the eligibility of your financing application. (The grid will be emailed to you after you fill out the application form in Step 1).
STEP 3
Write a business plan (provide information about the members of management and data about the market and production)
General conditions for submitting a financing application
The CAEHM offers financing for entrepreneurs who meet the following general conditions:
– Be 18 or older
– Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
– Carry out the project in the territory served by the CAEHM
– Have a satisfactory credit history (business and/or entrepreneur)
– Have a satisfactory personal assessment (entrepreneur)