4 Ways to Finance Your Startup

Starting a brand new business has many obstacles to overcome, not least of which is the funding for it. It can be difficult to obtain the money you need if you have no track record of success, but without funding, you might not be able to begin at all. Therefore it’s important to think of ways that you can finance your startup, even if it is only a temporary option until you can prove to lenders that you can be a success.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding may still be a relatively new idea, but it is one that many business owners are turning to in order to raise the funds they need to get their idea off the ground. There are lots of different crowdfunding websites, and it is a good idea to do your research first to find the one that will work best for you. For example, some are ideal for creative endeavors; some are for business and so on.

You will need to create a campaign that captures people’s imagination and makes them want to invest in you and what you are doing. You should explain what your business does and why it is something that the world needs. You might even want to include your projected income, although this is not always necessary.

Personal Credit Card

A personal credit card isn’t the best way to fund a business because it can become very expensive to pay back, and you will be personally liable for it. However, if there are no other options and if you have a plan to pay the card back as quickly as you can to save on the interest charged, then you could try it. The ideal way to do this is to pay more than the minimum each month and do not think of the credit card as a long-term financial solution. A credit card can be useful for small businesses to buy smaller items with, as it does offer a lot of buyer protection.

Savings

Using your savings is a good way to finance your startup as it doesn’t involve borrowing anything from anyone. This is a benefit to you because when you are in a position to ask for a loan or find an investor, your business won’t have any debts to service and will be a much better proposition. Your savings could come from anywhere such as investment and covered calls, a bequest, or simply putting money aside each month after you get paid. If you have thought carefully about your business before you begin, you should be able to recoup your savings after a while as well.

Personal Loan

If you are unable to get a business loan and your credit is good, you may consider taking out a personal loan to pay for equipment and marketing, to begin with. This can work out well as long as the company can pay you back each month (so the company pays you, then you pay the loan, and you won’t be out of pocket). It is a good way to get started as it means the business can take off much more quickly than it might otherwise do.