Start-Up Financing

While any number of factors can make or break a new business, financing tends to be among the most important. But start-up financing also is one of the most difficult tasks for entrepreneurs, hinging on the cultivation of trust in the face of risk. Whether you're pursuing cash investments from friends and family, debt financing, equity financing, venture capital or even credit cards, successful fundraising requires a strategic approach and plenty of patience.

Essentials:

Start-Up Financing Basics - Overview of financing options for start-ups.
Business Financing FAQ - Answers to common questions about financing a business.
Sources of Small Business Financing - List of various business fundraising sources.
Personal Finances vs. Business Finances - How personal and business finances relate to one another.
Raising Money from Family and Friends - Primer on borrowing from family and friends.
Small Business Grants - Overview of federal and state grant programs available to small businesses.

Business Loans:

The Lowdown on Business Loans - Basics of business loans, including when and where to get them.
Promissory Notes - Overview of how promissory notes work.
Glossary: Typical Loan Documents and Terms - Glossary of common business loan terms.
Business Loan Resources - Tips and other resources pertaining to business loans.

Equity Financing & Venture Capital:

Raising Money: Loans vs. Equity Investments - How to choose between business loans and equity financing.
Raising Money Through Equity Investments - Raising money in exchange for partial ownership.
Venture Capital Overview - Basics of the different stages of venture capital financing.
Venture Capital FAQ - Answers to common questions pertaining to venture capital.
Equity Financing and Venture Capital Resources - VC resources, sample documents and related materials.

Start-Up Financing

Essentials:

Business Loans:

Equity Financing & Venture Capital:

See Also:

Starting a Business