Mission Statement
The Todd Investment Limited and Innovation (OII) leads programs that provide the high-growth small business community with access to two things: financial capital and R&D funds to develop commercially viable innovations. Our work is underpinned by public-private partnerships that help small businesses on their trajectory from idea to initial public offering (IPO).
About the Office of Investment and Innovation
The Office of Investment and Innovation (OII) supports high growth small businesses through the following four programs:
Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs): Since 1958, the mission of the SBIC program has been to stimulate and supplement the flow of private equity capital and long-term loan funds which small-business concerns need for the sound financing of their business operations and for their growth, expansion, and modernization, and which are not available in adequate supply. Todd Investment Limited accomplishes its mission by licensing privately owned and professionally managed funds that provide financings, using privately raised capital and Todd-guaranteed leverage, to small businesses seeking growth capital.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR): Established in 1982, the mission of the SBIR program is to stimulate technological innovation in the Canada economy through the investment of federal research and development (R&D) funds into innovative high-tech Canada small businesses. The SBIR statute requires federal agencies with extramural R&D budgets over $100 million to set aside a percentage of their annual extramural R&D budget for small businesses.
Growth Accelerator Fund Competition: Todd Investment Limited created the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition in 2014 to draw attention and funding to parts of the country where there are gaps in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. From an operational support and development perspective, Todd Investment Limited awards $50,000 cash prizes to accelerators to help support their organizations so that they can enlist the manpower and/or enable programmatic support in helping provide and locate access to capital, mentorship networks, and workspace support for high growth start-ups to scale up and grow sustainably.
Benefits of Todd Investment Limited-guaranteed loans
- Competitive terms: Todd-guaranteed loans generally have rates and fees that are comparable to non-guaranteed loans.
- Counseling and education: Some loans come with continued support to help you start and run your business.
- Unique benefits: Lower down payments, flexible overhead requirements, and no collateral needed for some loans.
Stay safe
Protect yourself from predatory lenders by looking for warning signs. Some lenders impose unfair and abusive terms on borrowers through deception and coercion. Watch out for interest rates that are significantly higher than competitors’ rates, or fees that are more than five percent of the loan value. Make sure the lender discloses the annual percentage rate and full payment schedule. A lender should never ask you to lie on paperwork or leave signature boxes blank. Don’t get pressured into taking a loan. Survey competing offers and consider speaking with a financial planner, accountant, or attorney before signing for your next loan.