Posts Tagged ‘Funding’
10 Tried-and-True Strategies for Funding New Ventures
One of the most frequent questions I get as a mentor to entrepreneurs is “How do I find the money to start my business?” I always answer that there isn’t any magic, and contrary to the popular myth, nobody is waiting in the wings to throw money at you, just because you have a new…
Read MoreThe Right Way to Get Funding from Family and Friends
Most entrepreneurs I know are so passionate about their new idea that they are surprised when family and friends don’t line up to invest in their new venture. Yet they tend to ignore this problem, and move on quickly to professional investors. They don’t realize that most Angel investors and venture capitalists will also decline…
Read MoreAngel Investment vs. Bootstrap: Startup Sweet Spot
Successful angel investment is a win-win for both sides, the startup founders and the investors. And I mean win-win right at the beginning, at the time of the investment, not the obvious win-win later when years have gone by and the business succeeds and investors exit. The win-win sweet spot exists from the beginning, when…
Read MoreHow to Finance Your Franchise
Congratulations! You’ve given it tremendous thought and made the life-changing decision to buy a franchise. You’re excited, but now you need to figure out how you’re going to pay the franchise fees and initial start-up costs. Although you might have some idea in mind for how you’ll cover the expenses, you might still be wondering…
Read More4 Major Benefits (and 3 Drawbacks) to Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is here to stay. Absolutely every regulator in the world is now trying to get in on the crowdfunding game, especially since the JOBS Act recently went into effect. It’s made it easier for businesses of all sizes to reach out to the world and collect the funds needed to get a venture up…
Read MoreHow to Get a Small Business Startup Loan the Easy Way
There’s an old Chinese proverb that goes like this: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. The same reasoning applies to new business startup loans, but with one big exception: “Now” is often not the “second best time.” Now may be too late. I say this because I’ve…
Read More4 Ways to Support Your Small Business with Personal Funds
It’s getting tougher for small businesses to find startup capital. Big banks want nothing to do with unproven upstarts—it’s all about “validation.” Conflicting laws make it difficult to raise money from small investors without forgoing public solicitation—a catch-22 for entrepreneurs without deep personal and professional networks. And any funds that do happen to fall into…
Read MoreHow Well Versed Are You in Startup Investor Jargon?
Whether you are talking to peers, competitors or investors, you as an active entrepreneur will be judged on your familiarity with today’s startup and funding jargon. I’m not recommending that you saturate your discussions with lingo, but responding with a blank stare once-too-often won’t convince anyone that you can build the next world-changing business or…
Read More8 Ways to Get Off the Ground with Angel Investors
Angel investors are still the lifeblood of early-stage startups, despite the surge of activity in crowdfunding and an increasing early interest from venture capitalists. According to the Angel Capital Association, at least 300,000 people have made angel investments in the last two years, totaling $24 billion in the U.S. alone. These are all accredited investors who…
Read More3 Creative Ways to Fund Your Ideas
You’ve gotta spend money to make money. It might be a tired old cliche, but when it comes to small businesses and startups, it still rings true. These days it’s very hard to get anything or anywhere on goodwill, thus if you are in the midst of building your business, you are going to need…
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