Fund Your Business

Small business funding is a vital step to start or accelerate the growth of your business. Learn how to get ready for funding, review your options, master the art of pitching, and more.

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Learn the basics of funding

Do you really need funding?

Not every business needs to pursue external funding. To know for sure, you must consider why you want funding, how you’ll manage it, and what you intend to do with it.

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How much funding do you need?

Lenders and investors want to know how much money you’re asking for. If you don’t have a clear number in mind—you’ll struggle to get or use any funding.

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Is it hard to get funding for a business?

Securing funding can be challenging, as it depends on factors like the business's stage, financial health, and the investor's appetite for risk. A strong pitch, business plan, and network can improve your chances.

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What is the best funding option for a business?

The best funding source depends on factors like the stage of your business, creditworthiness, and industry. Typically some combination of self-funding, friends and family financing, and a business loan is your best option.

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What questions will investors ask?

You need to prepare for what investors will ask. If you don’t have answers to questions like ‘What problem do you solve?’ or ‘How will you make money’ then you’ll struggle to nail your pitch.

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Can you get a business loan with bad credit?

It is possible to get a loan even with bad credit. However, the terms, total, and application process will likely be unfavorable. Luckily, there are things you can do to improve your chances of being approved.

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Should you borrow from friends and family?

Friends and family financing is one of the most common funding methods for new businesses. To ensure there are no problems, you need to treat it like a loan or other more formal funding source.

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What makes a great pitch?

A great pitch tells a real story, cuts out unnecessary details, demonstrates traction, and is backed up with facts and data.

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Small business funding guides

Front of bank building with large dollar sign. Represents getting funding for your business.

How to get funding

Do you actually need additional funding to start a business? How much do you need? How do you successfully get funding? We have answers to all of these questions, plus additional tips to improve your chances of getting funding.

How to get funding
Pots containing a wide variety of plants growing at different speeds. Represents the different funding options you can use to grow your business.

Funding and financing options

There is a wide variety of funding and financing methods available to small businesses. Learn what makes them unique and how to choose the best option(s) for your business.

Funding and financing options
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How to create your business pitch

When seeking funds, you’ll likely have to pitch your business. Learn what you need to prepare and how to confidently pitch your business.

How to create your business pitch
Abacus sitting behind stacks of coins. Represents effectively measuring and managing your business finances.

How to manage funding

An often overlooked part of pursuing funding is how you will track and use it after you receive it. Learn how to get the most from your additional cash and track its use for you and any external stakeholders.

How to manage funding
Female entrepreneur looking excited about starting a business.
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Funding your business FAQ

The best source of funding for your specific business depends on numerous factors like the stage of your business, creditworthiness, and industry. Typically some combination of self-funding, friends and family and financing, and eventually some sort of business loan is your best funding source.

Startups and small businesses typically secure funding through loans, friends and family, angel investors, venture capital, grants, or crowdfunding. To boost your chances you need to be actively networking, craft a compelling pitch, and write a detailed business plan.

Existing businesses can seek funding through friends and family, loans, lines of credit, investors, grants, or revenue-based financing. To better your chances, it’s crucial to demonstrate financial stability and growth potential.

The most common startup funding is often personal savings, friends and family, or loans.

Businesses can be funded without loans through bootstrapping, crowdfunding, grants, angel investors, venture capital, or investments from friends and family.

Securing funding can be challenging, as it depends on factors like the business’s stage, financial health, and the investor’s appetite for risk. A strong pitch, business plan, and network can improve your chances.

Determine the amount needed by creating a detailed financial plan, considering costs, projected revenues, and growth goals. Be sure to request a realistic amount to justify the use to investors.

While difficult, it’s possible to secure funding with just an idea, particularly if you have a strong network, industry experience, or an innovative concept. While traditional options like a business loan will require more information and traction, some early-stage investors or incubator programs may be interested.

Examples of funding include self-funding, bank loans, lines of credit, grants, angel investments, venture capital, crowdfunding, and investments from friends and family.