Anyone can start a business, but it takes more than just the right mindset and passion for a business to be successful. In addition to a brilliant business idea, a future-proof business plan and a solid capital base are of existential importance. Young entrepreneurs and founders have numerous options at this point to obtain tailor-made start-up financing for their own company.
Small businesses would like to take the big leap. A t-Shirt company, for example, would need a bigger capital if it wants to cater more to the demands of the business. A membership with the Business T-Shirt Club (which offers NET 30 accounts to its members) is most helpful but simply not enough to expand the business.
The most sensible thing to do is to get financing for your business. Whether loans, subsidies or crowdfunding platforms – get an overview and find the option that best suits you and your business idea.
What is start-up financing?
Start-up financing includes all financial resources that are raised to initiate the successful founding of a company. This includes in particular the creation of a capital base that enables the company to operate economically in an intended manner. Start-up financing includes both equity and debt capital.
As a rule, starting a business cannot be financed from your own resources. For this reason, outside capital grants in the form of loans, credits and subsidies play a major role in the initial financing of a company start-up. It usually boils down to the fact that founders (have to) use a mix of all financial instruments in order to be able to successfully enter the market with their start-up.
Read also: 4 Business Advantages of Tax Services Outsourcing
Start-up financing – models at a glance
Equity for start-up financing
In every start-up project, there is typically a certain amount of equity capital. This includes all funds that founders bring to the project themselves without resorting to external sources. Equity can come from your own savings and investments, but it can also be contributed by friends, family, and acquaintances. This is where the fewest liabilities arise for founders – at least on a business level.
Loans / loans for start-up financing
The classic contact point for credit or loans is a bank, although nowadays there are a large number of financial service providers who provide capital for start-up financing. Founders should get a good overview of the various offers and compare conditions, interest rates, installments, and deadlines with each other. Especially with financing via banks, it should be noted that without good preparation and planning there is little chance of approval.
Crowdfunding Start-up Financing
Crowdfunding is an area that has seen rapid development in recent years. This form of start-up financing is becoming increasingly popular, not least due to prominent examples on various crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo, and is based on the principle that business ideas are presented to a large number of potential individual investors, who can then decide whether and in which way extent they would like to participate financially in this business idea.
Subsidies for start-up financing
In order to promote German medium-sized companies and Germany as a business location, there are promotional loans for start-ups and young founders. Appropriate funding programs are available at both the state and federal levels. In the case of start-up support from the public sector, entrepreneurs have access to both advisory programs and inexpensive loans, which are usually characterized by long terms, low-interest rates, and possibly even by start-up phases without repayment.
Investment/risk capital for start-up financing
Depending on the respective business idea and marketing, young founders also have the opportunity to win financially strong individual investors or investment funds for their own heart project. This can be a tried and tested means of start-up financing and enable young companies to get off to a good start – however, it should always be remembered that investors usually have a clear idea of the company’s development and usually demand participation.
