SAFEC difference

Does not provide this type of information.

Does not provide this type of information.

Does not provide this type of information.

Does not provide this type of information.

User account which, based on the chosen organization, enables the creation of one or more "profiles" or "projects."

Free use. No account required.

Does not provide online features.

No account required.

Free information on a variable number of programs related to the user profile.

Free information on a variable number of programs related to the user profile.

No free information available.

Free information available based on the results obtained during searches.

Programs managers and/or their website.

Programs managers and/or their website.

Program manager websites.

Directories, websites, publications, etc.

No specific commitment on the frequency of updates.

Rarely reviewed or "regularly reviewed," depending on their websites.

Based on the directory, no clear commitment on the frequency of updates, or one to six times per year.

Depending on available time to verify sources of information online.

Based on the information posted on their websites: 2,500 to 4,500 sources for public and private funds and funding available in Canada.

Depending on the organization - Between 100 and 500 financial assistance programs and funds, mainly offered by the government.

Depending on the directory bought - Hundreds to 2,000 financial assistance programs available in Canada.

Quantity of information depends on the ability, knowledge, allocated time and types of search tools used.

Depending on the organization, provides a filtering tool that recognizes 12 to 20 criteria. Accuracy to be validated.

Depending on the organization, provides a filtering tool that recognizes 3 to 7 criteria. Accuracy to be validated.

No filtering. The information must be read, analyzed, validated, sorted and selected based on project needs.

No filtering. The information must be searched, read, analyzed, validated, sorted and selected based on project needs.

There is no information to confirm the availability of a search engine.

There is no information to confirm the availability of a search engine.

Does not provide online features.

Conventional search engines for manual, online searches.

The time needed to complete the online questionnaire and obtain a search result is approximately 10 to 20 minutes.

The time needed to complete the online questionnaire and obtain a search result is approximately 10 to 20 minutes.

Impossible to evaluate given that the identification, sorting and verification procedures of the required data must be executed manually.

Impossible to evaluate given that the search, identification, sorting and verification procedures of the required data must be executed manually.

In this form, this service is offered exclusively to SAFEC subscribers. These directories mainly target supply and sales of consulting services.

In this form, this service is offered exclusively to SAFEC subscribers.

In this form, this service is offered exclusively to SAFEC subscribers.

Does not consider the use of this service.

Published information does not confirm a guarantee on the quality of results obtained from the information search.

Does not provide this type of guarantee.

Does not provide this type of guarantee.

Does not provide this type of guarantee.

This type of service is not offered.

This type of service is not offered.

This type of service is not offered.

Non applicable in this case.

Subsidies, Tax Credits, Loans, Loan Guarantees, Equity, Private Funding, Factoring, etc.

Subsidies, Tax Credits, Loans, Loan Guarantees, Equity, Private Funding, Factoring, etc.

Information on government financial assistance. According to the directory, the information may relate to individuals, businesses, or both.

The type of financial and non financial assistance information obtained depends on the abililty, knowledge, allocated time, and types of search tools used.

Depending on the assessed directory: Program name, eligibility criteria and URL to the program or organization, or a succinct summary with a hyperlink to the program.

Program name, hyperlink(s) to the program manager website and in certain cases, a brief description of the program.

Program name, hyperlink to the program manager website and a more or less elaborate summary of the program.

Information obtained on each program depends on the ability, knowledge, allocated time and type of research tools used.

Classified by type of assistance or basic classification system. No tools to organize, manage and categorize the data as needed.

Classified by type of assistance, by organization, by type of customer, etc. No tools to organize, manage and categorize the data as needed.

No specific classification. Manual sorting and classification of data as needed.

No specific classification. Manual sorting and classification of data as needed.

May become difficult due the lack of features and tools to classify and organize information.

May become difficult due to the lack of features and tools to classify and organize information.

No filtering tools for the massive amount of information to sort, analyze and validate before consulting.

Information needs to be searched and found directly online, on program sites, before being consulted.

Web page: Summary lacking consistency in type, number and relevance of program information.

Web page: Summary lacking consistency in type, number and relevance of program information.

Paper or electronic format (CD) publication providing a list of program names with hyperlinks to websites containing more details.

Depending on the allocated time, the data found and the type of search performed, this step requires a lot of reading and does not guarantee results.

According to published information, annual subscription of varying duration to different types of reports or "profiles," or purchase of information or consulting services.

Free use. No subscription needed.

Depending on the target directory, annual subscription or information purchase based on a cost per program.

No subscription. Information to be directly searched through online program information sources before being consulted.

Option 1 - 12 months of data access: $216. Other options: Different information and/or consultation services ranging from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars.

Free use. Cost is equivalent to the value of the time spent to sort the data and to assess the adequacy of available data.

Paper, CD or downloadable directories: from $69.95 to several hundreds of dollars per type of directory. Another option: $6.95 to $8.95 for each program purchased online.

Equivalent to the search time dedicated. For entrepreneurs, time is precious and can be expensive.

In this form, this service is offered exclusively to SAFEC subscribers.

In this form, this service is offered exclusively to SAFEC subscribers.

In this form, this service is offered exclusively to SAFEC subscribers.

In this form, this service is offered exclusively to SAFEC subscribers.

According to published information, annual subscription of varying duration to different types of reports or "profiles," or purchase of information or consulting services.

Free use. No subscription needed.

Depending on the target directory, annual subscription or information purchase based on a cost per program.

Information to be directly searched through online program information sources before being consulted.

Depending on the case, email with information on new programs included in the business "profile" (6 times per year), or no "alert service."

Does not provide this type of service.

Does not provide this type of service.

Does not provide access to this type of service.