Dan Flaro, PresidentOften small-to-mid-sized enterprises (SMEs), whether loss-bearing or operating in sectors banks deem too volatile, do not qualify for traditional credit. Yet, their capital needs remain real, threatening operational stability and expansion if not met on time.
What lending gap does Pivot Financial address when traditional Canadian banks decline SME borrowers?
Pivot has built its business to address this gap in the Canadian lending ecosystem, by providing secured, non-dilutive financing supported by receivables, inventory, equipment, real estate, or even intellectual property. The firm’s loans serve as bridge financing for up to 18 months, buying time to stabilize operations, rebuild performance, and pivot back to lower-cost traditional lenders.
Rather than competing head-on with banks, Pivot operates under a clear mandate: to serve a segment of borrowers who are consistently overlooked despite being fundamentally viable. This disciplined focus positions the firm as a go-to lender in a nationally underserved market where speed, certainty, and credibility matter most.
“We are an alternative to traditional Canadian banks for businesses seeking loans from $1 million to $10 million, delivering flexible lines of credit and / or term loans tailored to a borrower’s needs,” says president Dan Flaro.
Bank-Grade Discipline with a Lean Team
What distinguishes Pivot is not a looser attitude to credit, but how rigorously it applies institutional lending standards without institutional friction. The firm is staffed with seasoned commercial bankers, usually with more than two decades of experience. That depth of background means its credit assessment process mirrors bank-grade underwriting, particularly in its emphasis on strong management teams and fully secured lending.
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We are an alternative to traditional Canadian banks for businesses seeking loans from $1 million to $10 million, delivering flexible lines of credit and / or term loans tailored to the borrower’s needs.
The client journey begins with a conversation, not a form. Client-facing business developers, themselves former senior commercial bankers, review financial information and engage directly with borrowers to understand the context of each situation. That approach allows Pivot to move decisively, delivering clarity in days rather than weeks.
Why does Pivot Financial’s lean credit structure improve execution certainty for time-sensitive borrowers?
This structure contrasts sharply with the multilayered credit chains at large banks, where terms can shift as files move through multiple committees. Pivot’s lean model significantly increases execution predictability, ensuring that what is communicated to a client is what ultimately gets delivered. For borrowers operating under time pressure, that reliability is often as critical as access to capital itself.
What role has Pivot Financial played in preserving momentum when conventional lenders withdrew?
Demonstrated Impact across Transactions
Pivot’s leadership in this space is reinforced by consistent execution across diverse transactions. For Calgary-based internet service provider Moby, the firm provided an interest-only, senior-secured term loan that enabled a substantial expansion of its fibre-optic network and customer base. The financing allowed Moby to scale infrastructure without sacrificing ownership or long-term flexibility.
Similarly, before Pivot’s involvement, PomeGran risked missing a strategic acquisition opportunity. But with Pivot’s debt-based capital, the company successfully acquired CochraneTel, a 100-year-old telecom provider serving rural northern Ontario. In both cases, Pivot acted as a critical bridge, preserving momentum when conventional lenders retreated.
A Relationship-Led Growth Trajectory
Looking ahead, Flaro aims to double the business's size over the next 24 months, a target he believes is achievable given the scale of unmet demand across Canada. Despite this growth ambition, Pivot remains committed to maintaining its disciplined credit approach rather than pursuing volume alone.
Underlying that strategy is a culture built on long-term relationships and accountability. Over six years of active lending, Pivot has completed numerous transactions and built a strong base of satisfied clients. For prospective borrowers, this track record offers tangible reassurance that Pivot is not merely a source of capital but a dependable partner in need.
In a market where delayed or uncertain financing can permanently derail otherwise viable businesses, Pivot Financial has established itself as a category leader by combining bank-grade underwriting, rapid execution, and unmatched predictability. As traditional lenders continue to retreat from complexity, Pivot’s model sets a benchmark for how disciplined alternative lending can keep Canada’s SME economy moving forward.
