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American Brokers Help Fuel Canada’s Small Business Finance Boom
July 10, 2026
Canada’s small business finance industry is growing, and behind the scenes, American brokers are helping fuel that momentum.
“They’re kind of killing it here right now, from what we see from the partners that we work with,” said Vlad Sherbatov, President & Co-founder of Smarter Loans, an online lending marketplace in Canada. “…for the American players that have come in, they’re already really good at the broker channel.”
Some Canadian small business funders, particularly those offering an MCA product, told deBanked that a significant amount of deal volume is coming from south of the border. And with that, the environment and culture of the business itself is beginning to shift. In their view, it is becoming more Americanized.
“…a lot of the Americanization of the industry, if you will, is coming from US brokers and funders,” said Avrohom Bernstein, CEO at 2M7 Financial Solutions.
Part of that shift is a new level of competition among firms as brokers try to maximize the options available to their clients. Bernstein, for example, said it often starts with an American broker inquiring about submitting a few Canadian deals. Lately, however, it’s been escalating into situations where eight different brokers might submit the same clients.
“Every deal now you’ve got to hustle, you’ve got to fight, you have to really work it,” Bernstein said.
That competition once meant fighting to become the one and only exclusive partner for a merchant. Now, it has become more common to find that a submitted applicant already has multiple active advances.
“…that used to be unheard of in Canada, like that used to be excessively unusual to see more than three positions, now ten is not insane anymore,” said Bernstein. “It really escalated in a way that we haven’t seen, and that’s probably over the last 12, maybe 24 months, that it started really picking up,” Bernstein said.
Jodi Levy, Head of Sales and Business Development for BizFund in Canada, said she has made a similar observation. When she first started in the industry there, something like a third position was unheard of. Now, she said, they see it much more often.
“I feel like that’s definitely more an American influence,” Levy said.
BizFund has a large American operation as well, so the company is no stranger to how things work on the other side of the border. But like others, its Canadian funding arm also works with the American broker community.
“…partners are great, American, Canadian, we don’t care where you’re from, as long as you’ve got good business,” Levy said, adding that what matters is whether those partners have a direct relationship with their merchants. She also said that working with the broker community requires operating with a sense of urgency, something she has instilled in her team as a culture of NOW.
The diversity of products brokers can offer may not be as wide as what is available in the US. Sherbatov said that once a business steps outside of traditional banking sources, it is essentially entering MCA territory. As a result, much of the new competition entering the space is focused there.
“Among the new players that have come in, MCA is definitely the product that they’ve been leading with,” Sherbatov said.
“We have like five or six banks, and then like a couple credit unions, and then there’s not really anyone between, and there’s A-paper guys, and then B, C, D type of guys,” said Bernstein of 2M7.
According to Statistics Canada, banks provided 68.5% of all capital to SMEs in 2023, while credit unions and government institutions provided 20.6% and 9.4%, respectively. Only 2.2% was funded by “online alternative lenders.” The total market size at the time was estimated at $94 billion.
“I think the big gap is—there’s tons of businesses that want capital,” said Rafael Rositsan, CEO and co-founder of Smarter Loans. “There are some funders that offer it, but they’re pretty tight, and I feel like if somebody can come in and take on a bit more risk and open up their books a bit, then there’s plenty opportunity to fund a lot of Canadian businesses.”
As for why there has been such a push from Americans into Canada, no one pointed to a single definitive reason, but the runway for growth in the alternative lending segment, as illustrated by the report, may provide a clue as to the interest. Bernstein of 2M7 said there has long been a pattern of Americans entering and exiting the Canadian market, but he had also long believed that sustained success required boots on the ground. Now, he is reconsidering that view, at least on the broker side, as the current wave of broker entrants appears to be holding more firm. For funders, however, he said it still does not really work as a remote business.
“Every funder that’s actually doing decent volume is here, except for one,” Bernstein said.
In 2019, deBanked held a conference in Toronto for what was then a burgeoning small business finance industry, but held off on further events there after Covid disrupted plans for 2020 and 2021. It did not go unnoticed, however, that deBanked’s more recent American-based events have had more email addresses ending in .ca on the attendee lists. At the most recent Broker Fair conference in New York City, for example, some firms were exclusively advertising Canadian funding products to American brokers.
Canada’s population is relatively small, at roughly 41 million residents. That is about the size of California and only 25% larger than Texas. Homegrown Canadian brokerages do exist, of course, and a lot of business in Canada stays within Canada. Not all of the deals are originating through brokers either. Some merchants prefer to work directly with a funding source, while others prefer the comfort of applying through a Canadian lending marketplace like Smarter Loans, for example. If a merchant is ultimately eligible for some kind of funding, Sherbatov said, they are going to know it through their platform.
“We love the fact that we can help the small business economy thrive in the country, it’s responsible for a lot of positive things,” Sherbatov said. And whether the funding sources originate from Canada or the US, he said those companies ultimately find their way to them.
“We’re just becoming a more critical part of that journey for the merchant, and I think that explains why a lot of the new companies, when they come in, they gravitate toward us,” said Sherbatov. “…because in the business financing space we’ve carved out a nice niche for ourselves after Covid, and usually the new players gravitate to us because they know that merchants come to us as well.”
Levy of BizFund said part of the Canadian business experience is kindness. “That stuff goes far, we love that stuff up here in Canada,” she said. On the company website, photos of the company’s team, including Levy, show them smiling and ready to fund businesses.
For stalwarts like 2M7, which launched in Canada in 2008, the market’s evolution has been dramatic. Bernstein said the industry has gone from being a bit quiet and under the radar to seeing a lot of energy recently, whether from American brokers or from Canadian brokers that have decided this is the niche they are going to focus on entirely.
“In the US, I know a lot of brokers who also do equipment and also term loans and also SBA and also all this other type of stuff, it doesn’t exist so much in Canada,” Bernstein said. “It’s like if you’re selling to small businesses and you’re offering them financing, there’s not that many products you could line up, so it’s like if you’re doing brokerage, you got to be all in, like if you’re doing MCA, you got to do MCA.”
“I think that it was evident to a lot of players outside of the market that there is a big market opportunity that’s untapped,” Sherbatov said, “just because so little financing is being released by alternative lenders, that they started to come into the space, and we’ve seen, I mean, not even for the past two years, but I’d say in the past 18 months, our own roster of business lenders on Smarter Loans has doubled, like we went from 10 to where now we have 20, and the majority of that expansion actually happened from US players coming into the country.”
And the growth is just getting started.
“There’s a lot more room for it,” said Rositsan of Smarter Loans.
NewCo Capital rebrands to Bizcap US, strengthening support for brokers, ISOs
July 7, 2026Miami, FL – July 7, 2026 – NewCo Capital Group has rebranded to Bizcap US, bringing its US operations under a unified global Bizcap brand that spans Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Singapore, Europe and Canada.
The move marks the next stage of growth for the US business, which has been providing funding solutions to small businesses since 2019. While the name is changing, the company will continue to operate with the same leadership, team and relationship-first approach that has made it a trusted funding partner for brokers and Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs).
By bringing its US operations under one unified brand, the company enters a new phase of global growth, further cementing Bizcap’s position as one of the world’s leading fintech providers of funding solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. The integration also enhances the US business with expanded technology, product capabilities and a dedicated Partner Portal, giving brokers and ISOs greater visibility over deals.
“Since 2019, we’ve built our business around one core principle: helping brokers and ISOs deliver fast, flexible funding solutions to their clients,” said Albert Gahfi, CEO of Bizcap US.
“This is far more than a new name and logo. Bringing our US business under the Bizcap brand unites our global operations under a single vision, led by myself and Global Co-CEO Zalman Blachman. It gives our partners access to enhanced technology, a broader product suite and the backing of a truly global business, while preserving the speed, responsiveness and relationships they’ve always valued.”
To celebrate the rebrand and global brand alignment, Bizcap US has launched Line of Capital (LOC), marking a significant expansion of its product offering in the US. Eligible businesses can now access a revolving facility up to $2 million, providing 24/7 access to working capital whenever it’s needed. Unlike a traditional term loan, customers can draw down funds on demand and only pay for what they use, giving them greater flexibility and peace of mind. Already proven across Bizcap’s global markets, LOC has delivered 200% facility utilization, demonstrating strong demand and providing brokers and ISOs with a compelling solution to offer their clients.
“On average, customers draw 200% of their approved facility over its lifetime through redraws and renewals, demonstrating the ongoing value it delivers beyond a one-off funding solution. Globally, we’re on track to fund between $2 billion and $2.5 billion this year, with more than 60% of that volume attributed to LOC. It’s a product that’s proven its value globally,” said Gahfi.
A proven business model for small business funding
Business owners around the world face a common challenge: accessing the capital they need to grow when traditional funders are unable or unwilling to help. Bizcap has built a funding model designed to solve that problem, delivering fast and flexible funding solutions across multiple international markets.
Since inception, the broader Bizcap group has supported 100,000 businesses worldwide and provided $5 billion in funding globally.
“The challenges facing small businesses are remarkably similar, regardless of where they operate,” said Bruce Gurvitsch, Chief Revenue Officer at Bizcap US.
“The transition to Bizcap US and the launch of LOC reflect the strength of a model that has been proven across multiple markets. Our partners now have the backing of a global organization with deep experience helping businesses access funding when they need it most.”
At a time when many businesses face challenges accessing traditional finance, Bizcap’s technology-driven approach is expanding access to capital through higher approval rates and no hard credit inquiries during the application process.
For brokers and ISOs, the rebrand reinforces Bizcap’s long-term commitment to the US market, combining the same trusted team and service with the scale, technology and expertise of a global organization.
Interested in learning more? Brokers and ISOs can partner with Bizcap today.
About Bizcap
Bizcap is a global non-bank business funder offering fast, flexible financing to SMEs in Australia, the US, the UK, New Zealand, Singapore, Europe and Canada. Founded in 2019, Bizcap empowers SMEs by offering approvals in as little as three hours, with same-day funding available. Bizcap has funded more than 100,000 SMEs worldwide, totaling $5 billion globally, while holding a 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating.
For more information, visit bizcapfunding.com
Media contact
Sharon Green
Media and Communications Specialist
sgreen@bizcap.com.au
Uplyft Capital Launches MCA Affordability Calculator to Improve Transparency for Merchants and Brokers
June 5, 2026MIAMI, FL — Uplyft Capital announced the launch of its Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) Affordability Calculator, a free online tool designed to help merchants and funding professionals better evaluate working capital offers before funding decisions are made.
Available at https://uplyftcapital.com/tools/mca-affordability-calculator, the calculator was developed to address one of the most common challenges in the alternative finance industry: understanding how a proposed funding structure will impact a business’s daily cash flow.
As the MCA industry continues to grow, both merchants and brokers are placing greater emphasis on affordability, sustainability, and long-term client success. While approval speed and funding amounts remain important, many businesses now seek a clearer understanding of how repayment obligations fit within their operating cash flow.
The Uplyft Capital MCA Affordability Calculator allows users to input funding details and evaluate whether a proposed structure aligns with the merchant’s revenue and deposit activity. The tool provides a simple way to estimate payment burden and identify potential affordability concerns before a contract is signed.
“Our goal was to create a practical resource that helps merchants and brokers make more informed decisions,” said Michael Massa, CEO of Uplyft Capital.” The industry performs best when funding is structured responsibly. By giving users greater visibility into affordability, we believe we can help promote healthier outcomes for both merchants and capital providers.”
The calculator was built for a wide range of industry participants, including:
- Independent sales organizations (ISOs)
- Funding brokers
- Direct funders
- Underwriters
- Small business owners evaluating capital options
The launch reflects a broader trend across the alternative finance sector toward increased transparency and data-driven funding decisions. Merchant cash advances remain an important source of capital for businesses that may not qualify for traditional bank financing, offering rapid approvals and flexible qualification standards. However, understanding repayment obligations remains critical to ensuring a successful funding experience. Merchant cash advances are designed to provide fast access to working capital and often rely on business performance rather than traditional credit metrics when determining eligibility.
The calculator is available free of charge and can be accessed by merchants, brokers, and industry professionals nationwide.
For more information, visit Uplyft Capital’s MCA Affordability Calculator at https://uplyftcapital.com/tools/mca-affordability-calculator.
About Uplyft Capital
Uplyft Capital is a financial technology company specializing in merchant cash advances and business funding solutions for small and medium-sized businesses across the United States. Through a combination of technology-driven underwriting and funding expertise, Uplyft Capital provides access to working capital for businesses seeking fast and flexible financing options. Uplyft Capital provides MCA and business funding solutions nationwide.
Cloudsquare Launches CS Broker Danube 7.0: The First Lending Platform to Bring HELOC Workflows to Business Loan Brokers
June 3, 2026
Danube 7.0 gives business loan brokers a new product to pitch and sell, bringing home equity-backed business funding, faster lender selection, and a native Figure integration into CS Broker on Salesforce.
LOS ANGELES, CA, June 3, 2026 – At Cloudsquare, we build AI-first. We build Salesforce-native. And we build for the brokers and lenders who move the market. Today, that means giving business loan brokers a product they have never had before: a structured, end-to-end workflow to offer home equity-backed business funding to their clients.
Cloudsquare announces the release of CS Broker Danube 7.0, introducing the first HELOC workflow purpose-built for business loan brokers inside a Salesforce-native lending platform. With Danube 7.0, brokers can now help business owners leverage the equity in their home to secure business funding, capturing borrower income and property details, matching to lenders, and submitting directly to Figure, all without leaving CS Broker.
This is a new revenue channel for brokers. A business owner who may not qualify for a traditional working capital product could still access funding through the equity in their home. Danube 7.0 gives brokers the workflow, the lender connection, and the operational structure to offer it.
“CS Broker Danube 7.0 gives business loan brokers a product they can immediately start pitching and closing. Home equity-backed business funding has existed, but brokers have never had a structured platform workflow to manage it end to end. We built that. Combined with faster lender selection and a native Figure integration, this release expands what brokers can offer without adding unnecessary complexity to how they operate.”
— Jeffrey Morgenstein, CEO, Cloudsquare
A New Product for Business Loan Brokers: HELOC-Backed Business Funding
CS Broker Danube 7.0 introduces the first HELOC Module designed specifically for the business loan brokering workflow. When a business owner wants to use their home equity to secure business funding, the broker now has a guided, structured place to capture everything needed to move that deal forward.
When a HELOC lender integration is installed, a HELOC Candidate panel appears directly on the Opportunity record in Salesforce. Reps can enter borrower income and property details in a single, organized view, keeping that information tied to the deal and ready for lender review.
For brokers, this means a new product line without a new system. The workflow lives inside CS Broker, alongside every other deal type, giving teams a consistent way to manage HELOC opportunities from intake to submission.
Figure Integration: Connected HELOC Submissions Inside Salesforce
Cloudsquare introduces Figure as the first fully integrated HELOC lender in the CS Broker lender network. Built on top of the new HELOC Module, the Figure integration gives brokers a direct path from data capture to lender submission without leaving Salesforce.
Brokers can capture borrower income and property details inside CS Broker, then submit eligible HELOC opportunities to Figure directly from the platform. The integration keeps borrower data, property information, and submission activity all in one connected workflow, reducing duplicate entry and keeping the deal moving.
Figure is now fully supported and available for teams that are partnered with Figure and want to offer HELOC products through CS Broker.
Faster Lender Search and Bulk Selection
Danube 7.0 also upgrades how brokers navigate and manage their lender network inside CS Broker. Teams working with larger lender lists can now search lenders more quickly, select or deselect all visible results at once, and take advantage of improved bulk-selection behavior that stays consistent whether working individually or across groups.
When you are managing multiple lending partners, product types, and submission strategies simultaneously, cleaner lender selection directly impacts how fast a deal moves. Danube 7.0 removes friction from that process.
Built for Brokers Who Are Ready to Expand
CS Broker Danube 7.0 is built for brokerage teams that want to grow their product portfolio without growing their operational overhead. HELOC-backed business funding is a real opportunity for brokers serving business owners who have equity and need capital. Danube 7.0 gives those brokers the platform infrastructure to act on it.
From a new product type to faster lender workflows to a native lender integration, this release is designed to put more deal-closing capability directly into the hands of the teams using CS Broker every day.
About Cloudsquare
Cloudsquare is the leading end-to-end lending platform, uniquely powered by Salesforce, to deliver unparalleled flexibility and innovation for lenders and brokers. With a commitment to optimizing lending processes through cutting-edge technology, Cloudsquare provides robust, scalable solutions that empower clients to achieve greater efficiency and growth. Celebrated by industry leaders, Cloudsquare has earned a place on the Inc. 5000 list as one of America’s fastest-growing companies and is consistently rated a top service provider on platforms like Salesforce AppExchange, G2, Clutch, and Manifest. https://link.cloudsquare.io/olpeh