Does your business need more money? If so, you should know that there is money for it out there, you just have to know how to ask for it properly. If you need money either for a new or an existing business, then you will probably struggle for a bit with getting a grant, but it’s not impossible to do. Non-profits are usually the ones getting grants for services that benefit communities or specific groups.
small business funding
If you’re looking for lucrative ways to raise capital for your start-up business you have some options to consider. The good news is that it’s never been easier to raise start-up funds than right now. You have a range of resources available at your fingertips, you just need to know where to look and the risks involved before making a decision.
The pandemic has thrown out a variety of new challenges for entrepreneurs looking to grow and scale their businesses. While raising funds has always been a complex process, the impact of COVID-19 has presented several new challenges. Accordingly, preparation for an investment exercise has never been more important in maximising the chances of a successful outcome.
[continue reading…]If you love baking and are good at it then you really could turn your hobby into a profitable small business. The key ingredients for a successful baking business, aside from the essential baking skills, are passion and love for what you do. Throw in some business skills too and you have an entrepreneur baker and business owner in the making. Are people asking you about recipes or requesting for you to make cakes for their special occasions? If the answer is yes, then you are already well on your way to making a business out of your hobby.
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Starting and running a successful luxury brand business can take multiple sources of funding. In his success story, Mathew Cule from CuleM Watches tells all about his inspiration and how he went about creating and running a luxury brand.
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Reader’s question: I’m wanting to open a bar and would be seeking investment from two parties, after the initial investment they won’t have any further involvement, from this I gathered the best way to structure the business would be as a Private Limited Company. My problem is that I am not in a position to contribute financially so would be seeking 100% of the required capital to establish it, which would, therefore, mean they own 100% of the business. Is it possible for me to retain any sort of ownership or portion of shares through a prior agreement?
When your early or growth stage company needs essential funding, equity crowdfunding can be an excellent way to achieve this.
Having good cash flow is fundamentally essential for any business wanting to run smoothly and successfully. A recent UK study found that, on average, SMEs spend more than £1m a year on business-related expenditure such as staffing costs, rent, office equipment and supplies. This highlights how vital it is for SMEs to have a solid grasp of their incomings and outgoings so they can plan ahead and meet these costs.
We are still not sure what kind of Brexit we will get. Even assuming a ‘good’ Brexit, will we be thrown into another recession? Will history repeat itself and, if so, what will this mean for start-ups, SMEs, and investors?
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has found that the small business confidence has hit the biggest low since the financial crash in 2011. The small business confidence was measured at -9.9, in their Small Business Index (SBI). The uncertainty that comes from Brexit is taking a toll on small businesses in the UK resulting in them being very unsure of what’s to come.
As the bells and fireworks signal the dawn of another new year, we feel just enough optimism to make ambitious resolutions that, while well-intentioned, are often ditched come February. Rather than recommending you neglect Netflix in favour of a gym membership or swap your weekend (and evening) drinks for kale smoothies, I’d instead like to give you five reasons why 2019 is the year you should crowdfund your business.
Are you facing a busy period? Have all your customers paid you promptly? Are you looking to capitalise on new opportunities for 2019? If you answered yes to any of the above you could be missing funds to keep your books in the black. After forecasting sales and factoring in expenses, your business might be in need of a cash injection at short notice.
If you’re an aspiring business owner who needs to raise finance for a business purchase, you have several options. Three of these are bank lending, an angel investment or seller financing.
Raising money for your small business is a time-consuming endeavour. And you are unlikely to have time or resource to waste on activities that are at best ineffective, at worst actively putting investors off the idea of funding your business.
Seed capital which is also referred to as a seed money is the initial money start-ups use to get started on their business. The name comes from the idea that a seed is the beginning or the start of something. Seed money can come from various sources, therefore seed funding itself is not a form of funding. Although the sources of seed funding vary, the most popular source is investors, also known as Angels.
Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) is a relatively new way of funding small business growth and is rising in popularity. It’s a great alternative to traditional funding such as banks, which are becoming increasingly hard to get funding from. ‘Alternative’ methods of funding have become the only viable options for SME’s as banks are making it increasingly difficult with the rigorous credit scoring system.
We’ve all heard the stories of companies that started in a garden shed to eventually be sold to Google for billions. So many founders and aspiring entrepreneurs share this dream. But building your start-up for a trade sale takes a lot of forward-planning. Where do you even start?
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has carried out research looking at small businesses reaction to new credit. The study carried out had just under a thousand small business participants. One in three of those businesses say that the new credit is unaffordable. It’s making them hesitant to borrow funds, which are vital for growth. These findings come just ahead of Bank of England’s decision to raise interest rates in the UK.
You may think that the success of established global companies is the most vital factor in the health of the economy. However, you should not underestimate the importance of entrepreneurs in the business world. They start up fast-growing businesses that are responsible for creating around twice as many jobs as established companies. Entrepreneurs also innovate; they need to question practices and think creatively in order to survive and thrive. Established major companies do not have the same impetus to innovate. As the Financial Times reported, we need the innovation and job creation of the entrepreneur community, to help keep the economy stable and to keep the status quo from taking over and hampering technological and creative progress.
It doesn’t matter what size your business is, there will come a point where you’ll have to consider funding (such as a small business loan) in order to take it to the next level. This additional finance might be used for a number of beneficial investments, including hiring extra staff, buying additional equipment, or moving to larger premises.
