Raising funds for a new business can be a tricky assignment, especially in this economic climate. Business owners need to find alternative means of raising crucial funds for new ventures or business operations changes. Operating in an entrepreneurial environment means that the difference between a business having a successful development and launch phase and failure could be the business’s capital.
Exploring all the options for liquid capital
Rather than receiving large sums from a few investors, crowdfunding presents a viable option for businesses with good marketing acumen to get funding from many small investors. These investments can consist of very small contributions multiplied by many interested people. The internet has produced a variety of novel methods for organizing fundraising campaigns for small businesses. Here some of the most common methods used by owners in crowdfunding:
Equity Crowdfunding: This method gives investors a set portion of equity in a company in return for that investment. The transfer of these ownership shares means that the Securities and exchange commission regulates this form of funding. A business needs to be a corporation and has to fulfill certain reporting obligations.
Reward Crowdfunding: This campaign rewards investment with some reward. A reward may be in the form of the eventual product and other items like merchandise or otherwise. The scale of the investment can reward according to a reward tier.
Debt Crowdfunding: Those putting money into the company are doing so as a loan that the business will agree to pay back at some point. This method may also be referred to as peer-to-peer funding.
Working toward success
Business owners have many more options for fundraising these days than even ten years ago. In an ever-changing business market, small businesses and entrepreneurs need to be innovative when accumulating necessary capital.
