Financing a small business does not have to be complicated,
as there are a number of resources that can help you along
the way, as well as numerous financial and government
institutions that cater to those wishing to finance a small
business.
In terms of financing there are several things that need to
be examined; do you need working capital or can you use
existing cash flow for the small business? How urgent is
your need for financing and what are your risks? What will
the capital be used for and what industry does the small
business operate under? There are an exhaustive amount
of questions that need to be answered when it comes to
financing a small business.
Realize that there are two different types of financing; equity
financing and debt financing. Equity financing is looked at
as the amount of equity to debt ratio that you have in the
business. The biggest resource of equity financing comes
from venture capitalists. A venture capitalist is generally a
financial wizard with a lot of money to invest. They prefer to
invest in businesses that are 3 to 5 years old that look
promising and are able to offer a big return on the initial
investment.
Debt financing can be obtained through banks, credit unions,
lending companies and other financial institutions that offer
services to small business owners. The government, both
on the federal and local level, also has numerous programs
in place to assist people in securing financing for small
business.
One of the most common places to look for financing
opportunities is with the United States Small Business
Administration. This entity has a number of programs in
place, including special financing programs for women,
veterans and Native Americans who wish to secure funds
for a small business. The U.S. Small Business Administration
has a comprehensive website that explains in detail all of their
available financing programs.
Another source of funds for small businesses come in the form
of grants. A grant is an award of money that does not have to
be repaid. Many times, grants come with stipulations on how
the funds can be used, but there do exist many grants that are
available for the sole purpose of starting up a small business.
Grants are available from a number of sources including the
federal government, private organizations and individuals, and
local initiatives that may be offered in your local area. Some of
the different entities that award grants include the Small
Business Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs,
and the National Science Foundation, just to name a few.
If you are just starting up your business and have already
invested a significant amount of your personal funds, you
are more apt to qualify for a small business loan through
a commercial lender. Before using debt financing to fund
a small business, it is wise to first exhaust all other avenues.
Business associates, friends and family members may be
willing to invest a bit of money if you are able to provide them
with a sound business plan and the potential for a healthy
return on their investment.
Article written by Max Plata.
Author Bio::
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Max Plata
selling a company
buying a company
email:
[email protected]
