Seek funding for your business
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There are many sources of funds available to small firms, however not
all are equally appropriate to all firms at all times. These different sources
of finance carry different obligations, responsibilities and opportunities for
profitable business. The differences have to be understood to allow an informed
choice. Most small firms confine their financial strategy to bank loans,
either long-term or short-term, viewing the other financing options as either
too complex or too risky. In many respects the reverse is true. Almost every
finance source other than banks will, to a greater or lesser extent, share some
of the risks of doing business with the recipient of the funds. There are a wide range of funding options available to growing
businesses including: BanksBanks cover a range of financing options
but are mostly concerned with overdrafts and term loans. They will provide any
sum, small or large. You have to repay the loan, pay interest on the
outstanding balance and put up security to cover the capital. A bank may look
to the owner to provide a personal guarantee.Hire purchase and leasingHire purchase and
leasing companies provide funds to buy fixed assets such as vehicles,
computers, office equipment, plant and machinery. They will provide an amount
of money appropriate to the asset being bought. You may have to find a deposit
of up to a quarter of the funding and pay the balance off over several years,
depending on the life of the asset. Your payments will include interest and
capital. The security for the loan is the asset itself and it remains the
property of the finance company, at least until it has been paid for.Invoice factorsInvoice factors will provide
finance to cover the period between delivering your products to a customer and
receiving payment. They will provide up to 80% of the value of the invoice and
can, if you wish, manage the whole process of collection for you. The security
taken is the full value of the invoices to customers.Other sourcesVenture capital firms, business
angels (wealthy individuals who back businesses) and corporate venturers (firms
whose primary business is producing a product, but who also back small firms in
related sectors), provide risk capital. Business angels may invest as little as £5,000, but the other sources
of funding will not usually look at anything less than £50,000. In return for a
share of your company they will put up cash to help fund growth and
development. They will expect to share the rewards, but ask for no security and
face the same risks that you do in the event of failure. Understanding the differences in expectation between lenders, who
provide debt and investors who provide equity or share capital, is central to
seeking funding for your business.
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