Helcim

Helcim is a Calgary payments company led by its founder, Nic Beique, which built the business without venture money until a Series A in 2022. Its $53 million Series C in August 2026 was led by BDC Capital's Growth Venture Fund, and Helcim reports more than 22,000 active merchants and over $150 million in annual revenue. It serves businesses in Canada and the United States from offices in Calgary and Seattle.

It works as a payment facilitator, not a bank or licensed acquirer: Elavon acquires its card transactions and sponsors it with the card schemes. Its small-business toolkit covers a virtual terminal, invoicing, recurring billing, payment links, online checkout, a point-of-sale app, its own Smart Terminal and card reader, and Tap to Pay on iPhone. It accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB and Diners Club, Interac debit in Canada, US PIN debit and HSA or FSA cards, plus bank debits by ACH in the US and pre-authorised debit in Canada. Developers get an API and HelcimPay.js; WooCommerce, Xero and QuickBooks Online are integrated.

Pricing is interchange-plus and fully published, with no monthly, setup, PCI or cancellation fee. On top of interchange, in-person cards cost 0.40% plus 8c up to $50,000 a month, falling to 0.15% plus 6c above $1 million; keyed and online payments start at 0.50% plus 25c. Interac debit costs 9c (12c tapped), and bank debits cost 0.5% plus 25c, capped at $6. Card funds usually arrive in one to two business days, or the next business day through Interac e-Transfer in Canada or RTP and FedNow in the US.

Helcim suits North American small businesses that want transparent pricing. It works only with businesses in Canada and the US, and bank debits cannot cross between the two. Its pages do not name Apple Pay or Google Pay, so check wallet support on the device or checkout you plan to use.