Financing Options For Start-Up Business
If you become self-employed, you have a wide variety of financing options available, especially for founders. However, not all variants are equally suitable for every entrepreneur. The amount of financing, the purpose of financing, the nature of your company, your willingness to take risks and other factors play a role in planning and implementing the right financing strategy.
Self-financing your business
Financing from your own resources is of course only an option if you have the appropriate financial means. Then, however, self-financing has several advantages. Your company remains completely independent of credit institutions or external investors. In addition, there are no interest or repayment instalments. A self-financed company can also appear more creditworthy or impress some investors. This is beneficial if you intend to take out a loan or work with investors in the future.
However, self-financing can also have disadvantages. Financing from family or friends in particular harbors some potential for conflict. Self-financing is therefore most appropriate for businesspersons with strong nerves.
Loans and subsidies for founders
The usual financing options for start-ups probably include loans; in particular the classic loan from the house bank. However, it is difficult, especially for the self-employed, to provide evidence of the necessary security. A guarantee bank can provide support. It takes over the guarantee so that the house bank is more inclined to grant a loan.
A good alternative is loans from development banks, which offer significantly more favorable conditions to promote business start-ups.
Financing options from external investors
Investors support young companies because they believe in their idea and potential. They bring in their own capital, often their own experience and/or their network. This is an enormous help for entrepreneurs. Business angels are of particular interest to start-ups. In addition to the term “investor”, the terms “incubators” and “accelerators” have also become established. Both are at the entrepreneur’s side, for example by making their own production facilities or office space available to them or by providing intensive advice and coaching on setting up the company.
Another form of working with investors is a crowd investing. Start-ups can present their project here and investors have the opportunity to invest even the smallest amounts. Due to the number of contributions, considerable sums can nevertheless come together.