Research Guides: Small Business Financing: A Resource Guide: Types of Financing (2024)

Most entrepreneurs use multiple methods to access capital for their small businesses, including personal savings. External sources of financing fall into two main categories: equity financing, which is funding given in exchange for partial ownership and future profits; and debt financing, which is money that must be repaid, usually with interest. Grants and scholarships are funds that do not need to be repaid, and may be offered by government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or for-profit companies.

Funding availability can depend on how established or mature a business is. Financing a brand-new start-up is more difficult since there's no business track record yet. Because of this risk, it may be easier to attract equity financing than debt financing. Funds for a growing business will be much more available because the business already exists and has some financial statements to extrapolate from. For this reason, more mature businesses will find it easier to access debt financing. However, equity financing may be harder for mature businesses to find because the business, or industry, has plateau-ed with little forecast for growth. When creating a financial plan, entrepreneurs may find it useful to compare their business or potential business to industry standards for the same or a related industry or to a public company in the field which has disclosed financial information.

This page provides resources with general overviews on financing. Additional chapters on financing exist in many books on business planning. Subsequent sections of this guide focus on specific types of financing.

Research Guides: Small Business Financing: A Resource Guide: Types of Financing (2024)

FAQs

What type of financing do small businesses use? ›

Small businesses typically use debt or equity financing — or a combination of the two. Debt financing involves borrowing money from a third party, which you then repay, with interest. Equity financing, on the other hand, means you receive money from an investor in exchange for partial ownership of your company.

What are the different types of financing? ›

There are two types of financing: equity financing and debt financing. The main advantage of equity financing is that there is no obligation to repay the money acquired through it.

What is the most common source of small business financing? ›

Personal Savings/”Love Money”

The greatest percentage of businesses are financed for start up using personal savings. The most obvious advantage of using personal savings to start up or expand your business is that you relinquish no control over your business.

What is the best source of finance for a small business? ›

This could be equity finance – investment; debt finance – loans/overdrafts; grants. They may well be willing to help lend money to a new business starting up. This can be particularly good if they don't want any interest repaid on the loan that they make to you.

What are the main categories of finance? ›

The finance field includes three main subcategories: personal finance, corporate finance, and public (government) finance. Consumers and businesses use financial services to acquire financial goods and achieve financial goals.

What are the 10 types of sources of finance? ›

The sources of business finance are retained earnings, equity, term loans, debt, letter of credit, debentures, euro issue, working capital loans, and venture funding, etc.

What is the most common type of financing? ›

CONVENTIONAL LOANS

Conventional home loans are still the most common type of loan, accounting for two-thirds (66%) of all mortgages.

What is the most common method of financing a business? ›

Government Funding

These are the most popular forms of small business financing, particularly the SBA's 7(a) and 504 small business loans. SBA loans are fixed-rate, fixed-term loans that must be repaid. Certain loan products may also have restrictions on how small business owners can use the proceeds.

What are various short-term sources of finance for a business? ›

The main sources of short-term financing are (1) trade credit, (2) commercial bank loans, (3) commercial paper, a specific type of promissory note, and (4) secured loans.

What is another source of financing for small businesses? ›

Small businesses can get money through "equity financing" or "debt financing." Equity financing means that you sell stock in your company to a buyer, who then has an ownership interest in your company. Debt financing means a loan -- you owe the person who holds the debt (usually a promissory note) the amount borrowed.

What are the methods of financing? ›

External sources of financing fall into two main categories: equity financing, which is funding given in exchange for partial ownership and future profits; and debt financing, which is money that must be repaid, usually with interest.

What are funding types? ›

And under equity funding, there are three types of funding which are Venture Capital funds, Private Equity funds, and Angel Investors. While looking for the right types of funding and investors, the company should raise funds from firms that have both the extensive network and subject matter expertise in the industry.

What is the difference between financing and funding? ›

Financing and Funding

When it comes to infrastructure investment, these are two separate concepts. Financing is defined as the act of obtaining or furnishing money or capital for a purchase or enterprise. Funding is defined as money provided, especially by an organization or government, for a particular purpose.

What is small business finance? ›

Small business financing (also referred to as startup financing or franchise financing) refers to the means by which an aspiring or current business owner obtains money to start a new small business, purchase an existing small business, or bring money into an existing small business to finance current or future ...

What is a small business loan in finance? ›

A small business loan gives you access to capital so you can invest it into your business. The funds can be used for many different purposes including working capital or improvements including renovations, technology and staffing, business acquisitions, real estate purchases and more.

References

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