Business Plan Funding
Getting funding for your business is provided by investors, and is typically based on a company's business plans' ability to show how much money is needed, how much money is going to be made, and how the investor will benefit.
A well-crafted business plan offers a glimpse into the past, present, and future of the company. Generally the funding is awarded based on financial projections that usually include a 2-3 year cash flow forecast, 3-5 year financial information forecast, and a detailed and specific plan on the how the loan will be repaid.
There are two basic types of business plan funding: debt and equity.
Debt funding is where a company borrows money (as with loans) and must pay it back with interest in a timely manner. There are many sources for debt financing: traditional bank loans, savings and loans, commercial finance companies, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are the most common. Usually, these sources are best for companies that have a high ratio of equity-to-debt.
Equity funding means taking on private or commercial investors, and making your business accountable to your investor. Many small business owners raise funding from relatives, friends, colleagues, or customers who hope to see the businesses succeed for a return on their investment. However, the most common source of professional equity funding comes from angel investors or venture capitalists.
Venture Capitalists are institutional risk-takers and may be groups of wealthy individuals that are willing to offer promising new businesses the capital needed. These investors include individuals with substantial net worth, corporations, and corporate financial institutions. If a company has a high proportion of debt to equity, most experts advise increasing the ownership capital (equity investment) for acquiring money to finance your business plan or obtain a commercial line of credit.
As always, it is best to consult with experts and trusted advisors before making a decision that will affect your business.