TCE Capital Corporation gives credit where credit is due. Just ask Glen Dalzell, Director of Sales and Marketing for this 13-year-old corporate funder, which will supply growing Canadian businesses with about $250 million in short-term funding this year.

For small to mid-sized companies on the fast track to success, TCE Capital can be a genuine lifesaver. Constricted cash flow is a pitfall that bedevils even the most enterprising and hard-working independent operators.

Sound familiar? Your rapidly growing company remains full of promise, but has exhausted the resources pooled by the original shareholders.

And you're clever enough to realize it's still too early in the game to convince your friendly neighbourhood banker that it's time to lend a hand.

Glen Dalzell, Director of Sales and Marketing, says TCE Capital
has helped a kaleidoscope of Canadian companies since 1992.

"We're kind of an interim funding alternative for business people who find themselves in this position," Dalzell explains. "If it makes sense, we'll fund it."

In Dalzell's words, TCE Capital is not in the term loan business. Nor does it deal in venture capital, leases or mortgages.

"We are a funder, we're not a broker," he says. "The guys who approve the deal are the ones who sign the cheques."

As a rule, TCE Capital restricts itself to helping outstanding growth companies that have encountered cash-flow problems for all the right reasons.

Dalzell and his colleagues tend to shy away from floundering enterprises, lost causes or troubled companies. They DO provide funding solutions for good, growing companies.

"In many ways, I think our greatest advantage is speed," says Dalzell, speaking from his Toronto office. "We give applicants a yes or a no within 48 hours, because our customers believe a fast 'no' is better than a long 'maybe.' And when financing is approved, we'll fund within 10 business days."

Dalzell says TCE Capital specializes in the four F's: Fast, Flexible, Friendly and Focused.

Gus Baril is the President and primary funder of TCE Capital, which is Canadian owned and operated. He has more than 30 years experience in the financial services industry and is considered a pioneer in the Canadian alternate funding arena.

Growth companies eat through all available resources: Personnel, capital and time. Funds are needed to facilitate growth at the same time other business pressures are at their peak. Almost everyone in this position hits the wall.

"Financially, they're either waiting to get paid or addressing inventory and infrastructure costs. Either way, they're not generating sufficient cash flow," Dalzell points out. Meanwhile, they're forced to make payroll, address tax obligations and pay suppliers.

TCE Capital funding to the rescue. From as little as $50,000 to a max of $2.5 million, TCE Capital bridges these yawning gaps. It works in a number of ways.

* INVOICE DISCOUNTING: Also known as factoring, this strategy can turn things around in a hurry, with TCE Capital providing quick cash in exchange for the client's outstanding receivables. "Everybody invoices within 30 days but nobody seems to get paid that quickly," notes Dalzell. "More frequently it takes 45, 60 or 75 days."

In simple terms, the client now has the option to convert a key asset (receivables) into ready cash, with the help of TCE Capital.

* BRIDGE FINANCING (A): When bankers are reluctant to lend a hand, TCE Capital offers clients the interim financing so desperately needed to climb the next rung of the ladder.

This short-term funding plan provides working capital needed to maintain operations while sales growth continues. Balance sheets stabilize as the company progresses.

"At that point, our clients graduate to a more traditional lending institution," adds Dalzell.

* BRIDGE FINANCING (B): Sometimes a company and its bank come to a parting of the ways. These are established companies that have hit a bump in the road. They require interim financing to carry them through a phase of problem-solving and restructuring before they get things squared around for good. TCE Capital fits the bill.

* BULGE FINANCING: Many companies enjoy a good relationship with their banker, but grow to the point where their line of credit is insufficient. TCE Capital then brings aboard supplemental financing, with the bank maintaining its status as primary funder.

"Once the bank attains a higher comfort level with the client, typically they'll again take over the entire position."

* SR & ED TAX CREDIT: In response to customer demand, TCE Capital has added this innovative feature, available to Canadian controlled private corporations for refundable tax credits ranging from $100,000 to $1 million. "Few other companies are providing this service," says Dalzell.

TCE Capital (www.tcecapital.com) has clients from coast to coast. It's the short-term financing solution that lets you sleep at night.