Financing

Alexandra Moore of Coach House Marketing outlines the Canada Digital Adoption Program, a government initiative offering grants and advisory support for digital transformation. The episode covers who could access the funding, how a certified digital advisor fits in, and why programs like this go underused.

Mohamad Sawwaf, co-founder of Manzil, explains Islamic finance and the challenges it poses for Muslim business owners in Canada. Listeners will hear how shared-risk, asset-backed structures satisfy faith requirements, and why infrastructure gaps have left Muslims with low homeownership and capital markets participation.

Mark Patterson of Magnet describes how small businesses can tap government programs and talent networks to grow. The episode explains why application processes deter many owners and how platforms like Magnet aim to level the field with larger firms that have dedicated teams.

Jason interviews Andrew D'Souza, Co-Founder and CEO of Clearbanc, about royalty-based financing for online businesses. Learn how revenue-share funding differs from both debt and venture capital, and why alternative capital models are emerging for companies focused on online growth.

Stephanie Choo of Portag3 Ventures gives Jason a plain-language look at venture capital. The conversation covers what venture capitalists actually look for in a team and a market, how to approach them, and how to tell whether a business is even suited to taking on VC money.