Last updated on May 1st, 2022 at 09:18 am
Starting a new business entails several necessary procedures to get a strong foothold, involving writing a business plan, developing a product, conducting market research, and finding the proper individuals to work with, to mention a few. The most important thing, though, is to secure the necessary funds to get the wheels spinning; after all, you cannot start a business without capital.
With so many funding options, it is always a matter of determining what you qualify for and what you are prepared and willing to forego to transform your vision into a sustainable business. With that, here are five funding options you can consider for your startup.
Venture Capital
Venture capital (VC) is a type of equity financing that allows entrepreneurs and other small businesses to raise funds before operating or making revenue or profits. Venture capital funds are private equity investment entities that seek to invest in high-risk/high-return companies based on their size, assets, and product development stage. It is important you fully understand the difference between private equity and venture capital funding to make the right decision.
Venture capital funds, in particular, have a more active role in their investments, providing direction and frequently serving on the board of directors. As a result, venture capital firms get actively involved in the management and operations of the companies in their portfolio.
Angel Investment
Angel investors, also known as private or informal investors, are good sources of finance because they offer more advantageous and flexible conditions than traditional lenders. Angel investors are often wealthy individuals who contribute startup money in exchange for equity or convertible debt. Angel investors might be found at industry networking events or through your local chamber of commerce; therefore, it pays to have a wide network.
Unlike venture capitalists, who are only interested in investing in firms with the best chance of making a large profit, angel investors are primarily interested in helping entrepreneurs succeed.
Small Business Loans
Many business owners look at small business loans for funding without sacrificing their equity or stake in the company. Small business loans help entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground while maintaining control.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a government agency that is the primary supplier of government-backed business loans. The government guarantees a portion of SBA loans, allowing small business owners to receive money with less equity than a conventional loan would need. To be clear, the bank, not the federal government, is the one that lends you the money. In the event of a loan default, the SBA only guarantees a fraction of the loan.
Get a Line of Credit
When you get a Line of Credit, you enter into a contract between a financial institution — typically a bank — and a borrower that specifies the maximum loan amount the customer can obtain. The borrower can use the funds from the line of credit whenever they want as long as they do not go over the agreed-upon maximum amount or credit limit.
The fundamental advantage of a line of credit is its built-in flexibility. Borrowers can request a specific amount at their chosen institution out of several credit union branches, but they are not required to use the entire amount. Rather, they can customize their LOC expenditure to their specific needs, paying interest only on the amount they draw, not the whole credit line. Moreover, borrowers can change their payments amounts based on their budget or cash flow as needed.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is one of the most recent and cutting-edge methods of obtaining capital for your company. You can create this fundraising via crowdfunding platforms which allow you to launch a campaign, set a target for how much money you want to achieve in a specific length of time, and persuade people to donate exact amounts to your cause.
Your campaign is open to everyone who wants to contribute. Entrepreneurs frequently offer their pledger incentives such as the ability to pre-order their items, receive a free product, or be given priority in job prospects.
One of the benefits of crowdfunding is that it can get used as a marketing tool to spread the word about your company even before it launches. It is worth noting, though, that some crowdfunding services deduct a percentage of your pledges and may even charge a setup or promotional fee.
Conclusion
Ultimately, all of these funding sources will be determined by the type of business you intend to create and the amount of capital you require. It is occasionally a good idea to seek financial support from numerous sources, but other times it is a better idea to be conservative. What matters most is that you carefully and properly plan your business and finances.
