Top 6 Financing Options That Can Take Your Business to the Next Level

6 min read • Updated 11 May 2023
Written by Anshul Gupta
Financing Options That can Help you Take Your Business to the Next Level

A small business expansion requires a timely infusion of capital. Having access to a reliable funding source is the ultimate key to business success. As a small business owner, you can opt for various credit options depending on your requirements. 

Keep scrolling down to know different funding options that you can use for your start-up or small business so that it can grow and expand successfully.

Top 6 Financing Options for Your Business

Here are some of the 6 financing options for your business that can help it to reach the next level and ensure maximum profit. With the help of these funding options, you can acquire capital and use it to meet all necessary requirements.

  1. Small Business Loans 

Small business loans can be ideal for business expansion. There are numerous financial institutions that provide business loans like banks, NBFCs, MFIs, and many more. However to increase your chances of getting a loan you should have proper expense sheets, a business plan, and financial projections along with proper documents.

You can use this fund for any company-specific expenses such as product development, payroll management, marketing expenses, and many more. Such loans can be both secured and unsecured.

  1. Venture Capital Financing

You can raise a significant amount of finance through venture capital financing, especially in a business’s infancy stage. Funds from venture capitalists can help you to receive a lump sum amount to scale up your business and maximise profits.

Sometimes venture capitalists may lend you money at certain conditions that might be difficult to achieve. However, if you abide by these conditions you can raise a substantial amount of capital. Almost all venture capitalists, investing in your business will take regular updates and set up targets for you but they don’t interfere in day to day functioning at a micro level. Also, their suggestions come mostly from expertise in the sector and knowledge from various portfolios

  1. Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding allows you to get money from the ‘crowd’ i.e. from various people which mostly includes the general public. They are the group of individuals who collectively put money into your business idea to make it a reality. Instead, they anticipate receiving a gift from your company as a token of appreciation for their support.

Additionally, due to the lower risk for business owners, crowdfunding is popular. There are various types of crowdfunding, each has its own unique features. So you should ensure to read the fine print and become aware of all of your financial and legal responsibilities.

  1. Angel Investors or Financing

Angel investor financing for entrepreneurs is another form of equity financing, where a group of lenders finances businesses with the potential to make enormous profits. They provide start-ups or businesses with financial support in exchange for equity in the company. They critically assess your business profit history to evaluate the potential of your business for future profit.

Generally, opting for business finance from angel financing is associated with high risk and high reward. Lastly, business angels play an active role and therefore you will have access to their industry knowledge, which can boost the growth of your business.

  1. Term Loan

In India, a term loan is one of the most common methods of availing of business funding. This loan can be both secured and unsecured. This credit option is readily available to both small and large-scale businesses. However, if you have run a business for a long time, getting a term loan is easier. 

Make sure to meet all the eligibility criteria of a lender before applying for a term loan. Also, this loan can be used for any expenses related to your business.

  1. Working Capital Loan

A working capital loan is a short-term business financing option, which is designed to assist businesses with their day-to-day operational requirements. This includes daily operating costs, payroll, inventory, rent, building costs, and many more. This type of loan requires collateral or guarantee and is not used to buy long-term assets. However, you can also opt for an unsecured working capital loan where you need not pledge any valuable asset.

One of the top benefits of opting for this type of loan is that you do not have to use the entire approved amount. You can use it as much as you require and only have to pay interest on the amount you use from the entire pool of credit. However, in this type of loan, interest rates are higher to compensate the lending institution for risk. Additionally, working capital loans are often linked to your personal credit and any defaults or missed payment can negatively affect your credit score.

Final Thoughts

Expanding your business requires funding, which can come from various sources like crowdfunding, working capital loans, angel financing, and many more. However, before looking out for funds, it is necessary to have a comprehensive picture of how to use the money and pay it back. Accordingly, you can be absolutely certain that you will be able to take your business to the next level and broaden your reach and profit.

FAQs

What are the reasons businesses need funding?

Timely finance is the cornerstone of every organisation. Entrepreneurs can use these funds for multiple purposes. Some of the prominent reasons why business organisations require funding includes- developing and marketing new products, taking over or acquiring, entering new markets, paying for the day-to-day running of a business, for research and development, and many more.

What are the factors that I should consider when choosing a source of finance for my business?

There are several financing options available to fund your business. However, it is essential to consider several factors before choosing an appropriate source of finance. This includes the amount of money you need, the urgency of funds, the actual risk involved, the amount of time your business can spend on collecting funds, the duration for which the funds are required, the debt-to-capital ratio, and many more.

What is the best source of finance for business?

The best common sources of financing for businesses or startups can vary. These include personal investment, venture capital, and angel financing. Some of the common examples of personal investment are sweat equity, joint utilisation, owner financing, and many more.

What are the finance-related challenges Indian start-up faces?

Many entrepreneurs confront difficulties in estimating their financial needs, effectively utilising their capital, finding the right finance source, and many more. In addition, some of the common finance-related challenges for Indian start-ups include revenue projections, lack of financial support, lack of liquidity, unforeseen expenses, and inadequate supporting infrastructure.

In this regard with proper financial management and choosing the right funding source you can expand your business and help stay competitive in the market.

Was this helpful?

Anshul Gupta

Co-Founder
IIT Roorkee Alumnus and CFA with experience of structuring debt products worth more than 15000Cr for institutional and retail investors.

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