If only they taught entrepreneurship in school… am I right? It’s already hard enough that we have to do all the searching, planning, and preparation for our startups all on our own. And what about if you’re going into your entrepreneurial journey with little to no capital? It makes the process of building and scaling your business harder than ever.
Personally, I was lucky enough to be in an incubator program in high school and college leaving me with the skills, resources, and knowledge I needed to pursue, grow, and scale my own business. Now I’m here to share with you some of the resources I acquired to gain the capital I needed and get my business off the ground.
Sidenote: Before you find a funding plan that works for you, you need to check out these effective marketing solutions and perfect marketing strategies.
Implementing just one of these ideas can help skyrocket your business in the right direction. After all, your business’s success is determined by healthy profit margins, sustainable cash flow, and scalable models. The first step is securing the proper finances. So let’s jump in.
What Are the 48 Funding Plan Ideas You Can Implement Into Your Business Right Now?
Bootstrapping
This is when you start a business using your own or other people’s resources without relying on external funding from investors like loans or other forms of venture capital. This is when you’re thinking about being cost-effective.
Savings
Savings is the obvious one. Whatever income stream you have coming in right now set aside some of your profits to invest in your business. Over time you will have enough funds to invest into the much needed parts of your startup.
Family
Similar to bootstrapping, asking family and family friends to invest in your business would be a great way to get the proper capital you need. Think about it this way, people will always support people they believe in, and who believes in you the most? 9 times out of 10 it’s family or family friends.
Friends
Friends believe in you just as much, if not more than family. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your friends. Again, people are willing to support other people they believe in. So start with your tight circle then work your way out (meaning reach out to acquaintances as well and get referrals).
Angels
Angel investors bring not only funding opportunities and finances to the table but also an extreme amount of knowledge and resources. Finding an angel investor can be challenging. Focus on creating a pitch that talks about how your startup has potential high-profit margins and scalable models. This is the main bread and butter angels are looking to invest in.
Ventures
Venture capital firms can bring a significant amount of funding in exchange for equity. If you’re okay with giving up some equity this could be a game-changer when trying to source funding investments. Start by researching different capital firms and reaching out if you feel any could be a good fit for your business.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding involves sourcing investments from a large group of people. There are many websites like Kickstarter, Fundable, and Indiegogo. This is a great option to not only obtain funds but to market your new business to a large mass of people.
Grants
Grants are obviously the best-case scenario because this is money the government gives you without having to pay it back. Looking into government grants is a viable option if you have limited resources and capital.
Loans
Loans, you do have to pay back, but depending on how fast you can bring in revenue you could pay back your loan in full and in some cases, not have to pay the interest. If you truly believe your business will positively impact your community and even the world, people will purchase your products and services so taking out a loan may be a viable option as well.
Credit
You need to have good credit to get a loan or a credit card. Either way, if you do have good credit this would be a great option and the quickest way to obtain your capital.
Microloans
Start by researching microloan providers and go from there. Keep in mind you need to build a strong credit for these microloan providers to see you as a good candidate.
Peer-to-Peer
Peer-to-peer lending programs may depend on your credit and platform policies. Be sure to thoroughly research peer-to-peer lenders and if you do decide to go down this route, your reputation matters with the lenders you work with. It will reflect back on your credit.
Line of Credit
Be sure to check your credit choose your lender then apply. If accepted review the terms and make timely payments.
Online Lenders
Again, be sure to do some thorough research to find the right provider. This is a very similar process to peer-to-peer or taking out a line of credit.
Investors
Investors are a great option. You can leverage their knowledge, resources, and of course, funds. Working on a project with investors limits risk and helps the development of your business.
Equity
You can create strategic partnerships by giving a portion of your equity away to the individuals you partner with.
Convertibles
Convertible financing involves structuring deals that involve leveraging equity and debt. Start by coming up with the right conversion terms, craft a compelling pitch to your investors, and be sure to always have open communication.
Small Business
As a small business look into grants, loans, crowdfunding, and other sources to invest in your small business. You can easily create a funding plan through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
SBA Loans
You can create a funding plan through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Credit Cards
Depending on your credit score you can obtain a credit card to help you get the capital you need for your startup.
Factoring
As a new business, you can sell your account receivables. This can get your business the capital it needs.
Leasing
Leasing is a funding option that helps new businesses acquire real estate, equipment, and other resources without a substantial upfront investment. These payments are often tax deductible.
SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research)
SBIR is a government program that focuses on R&D partnerships for small businesses.
R&D Tax Credits
These are credit incentives provided by the government to empower business owners to invest in research and development activities. R&D tax credits vary from country to country. The benefit R&D tax credits have is offsetting a portion of a company’s tax liabilities.
Crowdlending
This is another term for peer-to-peer lending. Again, this is when you are able to source investments from a large group of people willing to invest in your projects.
Accelerator
Accelerators are designed to support early-stage startups by providing not only funds but resources, mentorships, and more.
Incubators
Incubators similar to accelerators support early-stage startups as well as supporting office spaces and support services without taking any equity.
Seed Funding
This is the initial capital funds raised by startups. This not only helps build authority, but this typically is provided by angel investors. Startups with seed funding typically have a solid business plan and prototypes.
Series A
Series A is the first round of funds that comes after seed funding and is used to scale business operations.
Series B
Brings additional funding rounds to support further growth.
Series C
Series C also brings additional funding rounds to support further growth.
Series D
Series D is when late-stage funding occurs.
ICO (Initial Coin Offering)
ICO is a funding method that involves utilizing cryptocurrencies.
STO (Security Token Offering)
STO are security tokens that which are backed by tangible assets.
IEO (Initial Exchange Offering)
IEOs are token sales conducted on cryptocurrency exchanges.
Blockchain
Blockchain is associated with cryptocurrency which could be a viable way to create a funding plan.
Strategic Alliances
Strategic alliances can encompass partnerships, joint ventures, licensing agreements, etc. Having third parties can help you solidify a funding plan faster.
Licensing
Licensing can involve granting permission to another party to use your intellectual property in exchange for a licensing agreement/fee.
Royalties
Royalties are payments made by my licensees. This could be a great way to create a funding plan, by selling your intellectual property in exchange for royalties to generate profits.
Joint Ventures
This could be a viable option if you’re okay with creating partnerships to excel in the process of growing your business faster.
Asset Sales
Asset sales are a viable option if you already have a matured business and would be looking to sell that business to invest funds into your new business.
Franchising
You can look into franchising as an option to produce the needed capital for your startup. If you already have money saved up copying and pasting a blueprint that already works is a low-risk way of generating the capital you need to then invest back into your startup.
Asset Financing
Asset financing involves raising funds to purchase specific assets. This could be a viable option to raise money for your startup if you have assets needed to further scale your business.
Equipment Leasing
Equipment leasing could be a great way to rent equipment needed for your startup. Although you don’t own these assets, borrowing these much-needed resources can help you become cash flow positive much faster.
Equipment Financing
Equipment financing, similar to equipment leasing allows you to split up the payments of much-needed resources for your startup with the end goal of being able to pay off your equipment. You also are able to benefit from tax deductions.
Real-Estate
Real estate is a viable option for your business funding plan if you’re okay with investing outside income, into your startup.
Mezzanine
Mezzanine financing allows you to have a hybrid form of debt and equity financing. This can fund acquisitions, expansions, and other forms of business endeavors.
Working Capital
Working capital represents a company’s short-term financial assets. This ensures your startup is meeting immediate financial objections. The goal is to find a balance between business growth and working capital.
What is a Funding Plan?
Overall a funding plan is a strategy that allows you to access funding options. You do qualify for funding capital. You just have to find the programs that work best for you. Meaning the costs work on your behalf.
You can always look into resources like private equity, hedge funds, and (if you really want to get out of the box) prize competitions. These services I listed above are only the start. It all starts with a great strategy. Make sure you have detailed information on every part of your funding plan.
Your system matters. Leadership is going to play a big role. Address what needs to be addressed. Go deep based on your mission statement and go into networking willing to make adjustments if needed. Be sure to visit websites and do market research to see if you are eligible for any funding outside of your personal finances.
Closing Notes
Why should you listen to anything I say? Well, I’ve been in your shoes. I can’t even begin to explain the countless hours I have been researching funding for my startup. Let me tell you, it’s hard work, but it’s work that I’ve been doing for over 7 years now! Time flies, and it will for you too. If you keep going you keep growing.
