Financing a business is a challenge for many businesses. You may have extra cash from your investment in Stocktrades best dividend picks in Canada. But for some, there is a need for more for various reasons.
Need financing? You can often go to the bank for this, but there are also other options. Here, we have laid out ten options to find the money for your start-up company.

Startup Funding Explained: Everything You Need to Know

1. Private investors
Private investors (Informal investors) want to invest part of their equity in a start-up company. In the business world, they are also sometimes referred to as business angels. They are often former entrepreneurs who also bring knowledge and expertise in addition to capital (money).
Remember that many typical investors prefer to stay intensively engaged in all business processes even following the launch of the business itself.
2. Traditional Financing via Banks
Most entrepreneurs are still financed by the bank. In order to qualify for this, in most cases, you must first write a good business plan. In this plan, you show that you have a promising idea in the current market.
3. Guarantee credit
Suppose you have been active as an entrepreneur for less than three years and you need a business credit (money). At the moment you cannot offer banks enough collateral when it comes to collateral. The bank is therefore at extra risk.
In that case, the bank with which you have approached for financing can make use of a special government scheme: a guaranteed loan. The government then takes over part of the risk. Do you want to know more? This Rabo page gives you access to more information.
4. Family and acquaintances
Some business owners are a bit wary of this. But if you make clear agreements with each other, your environment can indeed be a good stepping stone to a successful start of your company. You can borrow from family and friends and avoid disagreements in the future by laying down clear agreements like specific repayment schedule and interest payments.
5. Financial lease
Starting entrepreneurs don’t always have the luxury to purchase necessary equipment, machines, or vehicles to sustain the business. This is where financial leasing comes in place. Financial lease is increasingly used by starting entrepreneurs and freelancers. Moreover, the assets are just yours, which in turn offers tax benefits.
  • You can write off the business asset.
  • You can reclaim the VAT paid.
  • The interest you pay is deductible.
  • You benefit from an investment allowance (often 28% of the purchase price).
Did you know, for example, that you often do not need annual figures for a lease? And that you can also lease second-hand goods? You can calculate within one minute what the lease of your desired business asset will cost you per month.
6. Venture Capitalists and Funds
Venture Capitalists are private equity companies that manage the so-called “venture capital” of large investors and/or lenders. They prefer to invest in somewhat established entrepreneurs with a well-founded business plan.
Financing through funds
At first sight, funds are very similar to private equity companies but generally have a special objective. There are regional funds, starter funds, and funds for innovative and sustainable initiatives.
Funds are usually set up with government support, but they simply finance under commercial conditions. Depending on the type of company and the industry in which you operate, the support a fund can give you that final push to grow into a company of size.
7. Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding – literally: funding (investment) by the crowd (mass) – is becoming increasingly popular. Entrepreneurs and potential investors can come into direct contact with each other via online platforms.
With a good crowdfunding campaign, you quickly attract more interest in your plans and increase the chance that someone wants to invest in them. Although it is important that your project is shown on the right crowdfunding websites. Read here how to set up such a campaign.
8. Guarantee credit for agriculture
The government strives to support farmers financially so that it is possible for them to invest in innovation and to produce more sustainably and efficiently.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs supports these farmers by guaranteeing an additional loan. You can think of a loan for investments, with which production costs can be reduced or animal welfare can be improved.
9. Innovation financing
There are many other government financing schemes that you can make use of in this area, such as the SEED Capital scheme and Innovation Credit. Keep in mind that not every company or project can qualify for innovation credit.
Rabobank offers entrepreneurs with good innovation the opportunity for a Subordinated Innovation Loan (AIL). You do not have to pay repayment for the first two years.
10. Stacked financing
You don’t necessarily have to choose. Many starting entrepreneurs mix and match different forms of financing. This is called stacked financing. For example, you can make combinations with Financing via the bank, Crowdfunding, and Own capital