To grow a business, it is highly likely that, sooner or later, you will need funding. There are many funding options available, so it can be hard to make the right financial decision. If you get it wrong, your bad decision will come back to haunt you. Not only will it cost you money, it could also jeopardize the future of your business.
In this article, we are going to look at the different funding options for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to develop and grow their venture.
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Funding options for Entrepreneurs and Business owners
Credit Cards
For relatively small expenses or short-term lending, a credit card is not a bad option. As long as you don’t maintain a debit balance for too long, the interest charges won’t be too high. For this reason, a credit card is handy if you need to urgently buy in some stock to cover a sudden surge in orders. It’s also handy for funding business travel to meet new clients.
Business Loans
The economic climate has been tougher in recent years, but it’s now a lot easier to find a lender willing to hand over cash for business development purposes. Many of the nation’s largest banks have funds earmarked for small business funding. All you need to do is fill out an application and make sure your business plan is up to scratch.
If you don’t want to approach a traditional lender, check out online lenders. There are numerous options if you are looking for unsecured business loans. Online lenders are often more competitive than big banks but review your options before making a final decision.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is a modern solution to business funding. There are numerous different crowdfunding sites, all of which cater to different niches, so it’s important that you select the most appropriate site for your needs.
How it works is simple. You set a goal for how much money you want to raise. You can offer something in return for the investment, or even agree to give investors a small share in the business. Be aware that this is quite a hands-on approach and your business pitch needs to be persuasive or investors won’t pledge money to your cause.
Angel Investors
Angel investors are experienced businessmen and women with capital to invest in businesses that interest them. You don’t necessarily need to be a successful entrepreneur to attract an angel investor, but you do need to have a watertight business plan. Know your facts and be prepared to answer a lot of searching questions. Angel investors don’t hand over money unless they are certain their investment is reasonably safe. Also, have an exit strategy and be prepared to hand over a share in the business in return for investment capital.
Grants and Government Funding
The U.S. Small Business Administration has funds in place to help businesses grow. Investigate your options and see what’s available. There are also grants available, which don’t need to be repaid, so research what’s out there.
Finally, don’t overlook the possibility of borrowing money from loved ones. If your business development plan is sound, someone close to you may be willing to dip their hand in their pocket.
