Funding Sources

1. Startup Financing
Get your business off the ground with cash from several startup sources.

2. Equipment Leasing
Short on cash, but need new equipment to grow? Lease what you need.

3. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
So you're not "bankable" according to traditional rules--your community may still have resources to help fund your business.

4. Microloans
When you need only a little cash to grow, it's time to check into microloans.

5. Asset-Based Loans
Use your assets--like accounts receivable and inventory---to help you land funding.

6. Bank-Term Loans
Go with old reliable and get a business loan from the bank.

7. SBA-Guaranteed Loans
The SBA's got your back. With an SBA-guaranteed loan, they'll guarantee as much as 80 percent of the principle.

8. Private Loan Guarantees
You're early stage, the bank is ignoring your pleas--what do you do? Find an investor to guarantee your loan.

9. 504 Loans
If you're buying a fixed-asset like land, buildings or long-term equipment, look into a 504 loan.

10. Royalty Financing
Got a product that will bring in the bucks? Use it to get a loan based on your future sales.

11. Federal Government Venture Capital
SBA-licensed one-stop funding shops SBICs and SSBICs are looking for businesses to fund. Could your business be next?

12. Angel Investors
These individual VC investors seem like they're from heaven, but be prepared to give up a chunk of your company for funding.

13. Business Incubators
Nest in one of these entrepreneurial hotbeds, and you may just be on your way to financing.

14. 401(k) Financing
Fund your new company with your retirement account from your previous job--but watch out for the tax man

15. Direct Public Offerings
Take your business--and your quest for funding--directly to the public by selling shares in your company.

16. Reverse Merger
Take your private company public the easy way by purchasing a dormant, public company.

17. Initial Public Offerings
Ready for a whirlwind ride? Take the ultimate funding trip by going public. This guide will help you prepare.

18. Institutional Venture Capital
VC funding isn't always easy to obtain and and you'll have to give up equity, but when you're a high-growth company with high-financing needs, it can be your best bet.

There are numerous avenues available at this time for small business owners and entrepreneurs. From small business grants that don’t have to be repaid to loans which come with very low interest rates, it’s a perfect time for individuals to find small business funding solutions. The tips and suggestions below help point out resources and ways to secure these grant funding and loan solutions.

Visit the Small Business Administration
The SBA can be a big help to small business owners and entrepreneurs. While the SBA doesn’t directly give grants, they maintain an up-to-date list of agencies and organizations that do. They also provide invaluable tips and suggestions to help business owners launch their businesses into success.

Check out Government Grants
Government grants are available for small business owners who need help with supplies, money for hiring employees, advertising and more. These are typically found at the state level rather than the federal level. There are a few great resources that can help small business owners find the available grants. Grants.gov maintains an up-to-date listing of government grants available and browsers can use the keyword tool on their site to find business grants.

Create a Business Plan
Business plans are like literary maps to a business. They describe the company mission, purpose, what they provide, who they serve and more. A business plan can be a great deal of help when it comes to securing small business grants or loans, and they can also serve to better focus the small business owner. Often times, business plans can be used on grant applications in lieu of a grant proposal. This helps grant review panels determine how the business would use the funding and why that particular business could benefit more than others who are applying.

Be Persistent
Often times, new opportunities for small business owners and entrepreneurs pop up daily. If a small business owner isn’t able to find a solution one week, he or she may be able to find one the next. The key is persistence and by maintaining this, sooner or later a helpful opportunity will arise.Using the tips and information above, small business owners can take advantage of the grant and loans available to launch businesses to success and help them thrive.