Startup Financing For Small Businesses

Startup financing for small business is necessary and hard to acquire. Financing the startup of a business is a particular challenge during tough economic times, as small business startups need money when money for starting up is hard to find. During these challenging economic times, it is difficult to obtain startup financing from traditional business financing sources; particularly for small businesses, which are considered a high risk for business failure.

However, fueled by a growing unemployment issue (caused by shrinking businesses and lay-offs), individuals are following their dreams and opening a small business. If their business idea is perceived to be very strong and if they have a unique product or service with a good strategic plan, they might be able to get traditional business start up loans. If there is a perception of risk, those entrepreneurs need to find an alternative method of raising startup funds.

Traditional business financing includes commercial lending organizations, banks and government financial programs. These organizations provide loan products, operating lines of credit, equipment leasing and asset financing, and more. But, due to current global financial market conditions, it can be challenging to qualify for this startup financing (lending criteria has tightened as most traditional lending institutions want a high level of security and low risk) and it can also be challenging to get cash-strapped lending institutions to disperse business start up loans, asset financing, or operating funds promised.

One alternative to traditional financing is to see if you can interest an Angel investor in providing an investment in your business. Angel investors typically charge higher interest rates and are in for a short term period; they want an exit strategy within a specified period of time (therefore they will want their money back, with interest, quickly). Angel investors are often interested in the high tech or biotech industries; or other high reward (and also high risk) industries. To attract Angel investors, your business needs to have strong and fast growth potential, a talented management team, a compelling business plan, and well priced equity. Angel investors usually look for up to 50 percent equity in the business; this is really dependent on the business proposal and the investment amount. You typically give up some control when you develop a relationship with an angel investor.

Another alternative is to find a strategic partner or to build a strategic alliance that allows your business to reduce its cash and/or startup financing needs. This also means a loss of control over the business; and partnerships can end up like marriages, in divorce. Yet another alternative startup financing is bootstrapping. Bootstrapping is financing a business startup or business growth through non-traditional methods. Bootstrapping is about raising funds (for example, to start a new business), without startup capital. If you plan to startup a business that has a significant investment in capital equipment, consider asset financing. Asset financing will provide a loan for equipment that you buy to operate your business.

For new business owners, that might mean working several jobs to raise cash. Or revising your plan to start your business with less money, or fewer products or services. Consider leasing furniture, computers, sharing office space and administration staff. Make sure you carefully consider your cash flow needs and do a cash flow projection for at least a two-year period. Cash flow management is a way of reducing startup financing needs; effectively manage your cash flow by managing receivables, payables, inventory, and short term debt (in other words, increase incoming cash and reduce outgoing cash).

Some other non-traditional business financing methods might include:

use of credit cards;
second mortgages on the entrepreneur’s home;
equity loans, secured by personal assets; loans from key suppliers;
partial pre-payments or progress payments from large customers;
and/or loans from family, friends and associates.
For small business owners, obtaining the financing to startup your business or to keep it operating is usually a challenging experience. Before you borrow the money you need for startup, ensure that your business can support that level of debt and can repay on the lender’s debt schedule. You need to have a strong business plan and be able to present a strong business case to your lenders.

Financial lenders will assess your knowledge, your capability, and your business proposal. You will likely have to put up personal guarantees for the money you need; this means you have to have assets to back up your guarantees. Unfortunately, not all prospective business owners have the credit rating to qualify with their lending institutions. Business financing and business start up loans are serious endeavors. You will owe a lot of money and if your business doesn’t succeed, your money and your lenders’ or investors’ money will be gone.

Online Bachelor Degree in Finance

In the financial sector, the regulatory reforms and economic reforms have driven growth especially in the positions of financial analyst and personal financial advisor. The online bachelor’s degree in finance is designed in such a way to attain the financial management, interpersonal, and professional skills that you require to help companies or individuals to achieve good returns while maintaining financial and reporting integrity. A number of recognized universities have introduced various courses on online bachelor’s degree in finance. These degrees are ideally designed for the people, who reside in distant places or are unable to attend regular classes or can’t go for study due to some unforeseen reasons.

The bachelor’s degree in finance is extremely intensive as well as flexible program that covers a vast area of finance. The learner is benefited as he/she can acquire an all round knowledge about the subject. Usually, the topics for students include short and long term financing, banking relations, personal finance, investment analysis, risk management, corporate finance, financial accounting etc.

There are no strict requirements for enrollment into online bachelor degrees in finance. However, if you want to get admission to the online program, then it is essential that you hold a high school diploma. A basic knowledge in finance and a keen interest in studying the subject are essential for the successful completion of the course. It varies with institutes offering the course.

Some of the popular online bachelor’s degree in finance includes:

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) – Accounting and Finance
Bachelor of Science in Business or Finance
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Finance
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration or Corporate Finance
Upon the successful completion of the bachelor’s degree in finance, you can work as an auditor, accountant, finance advisor, and a budget analyst. There are lots and lots of job opportunities in finance in various sectors worldwide. Students can also pursue several managerial jobs in several private or government sectors.
List of Universities Offering Online Bachelor Degrees in Finance

Colorado technical university online
University of phoenix online
Kaplan University online
American intercontinental university online
Ashford University online

Let’s Know About Computer Financing and Its Bad Credit

Computer financing refers to the various methods business owners use to purchase new computers or computer equipment. Many different agencies, including computer and electronics companies, specialized lending institutions, and banks, offer ways to finance buying new computers or equipment.

The first source for computer financing that a business owner should consider, is the direct manufacturer of computers and computer related products. Companies, such as Dell, Sony, and Apple, usually offer plans that allow a buyer to make small monthly payments on purchases at low interest rates. Monthly payments and interest rates are calculated according to the buyer’s credit report. The better the credit, the better chance a business owner has of paying less. Similar financing can be obtained through retail electronics stores as well, such as Best Buy and Circuit City.

There are lending institutions that deal solely with computer financing. Usually, their terms for financing are more liberal than those of manufacturers and retail stores. Many of these lending agencies do not even require a credit check or a down payment; therefore, individuals with bad credit have a good chance off getting a better deal with these agents.

Banks and credit unions may also have computer financing programs. With banks, however, an individual with bad credit may be turned down or may have to make large payments. Also, approval for financing from a bank could take several days or weeks; with other methods of financing, the approval process usually takes no more than twenty-four hours.

To get the best value for your money a business owner should research all the available options and decide which would be most suitable for his or her needs.

Computer financing for bad credit generally refers to ways for business owners with bad credit to get financing for new computers or equipment. Most computer manufacturers, retail electronics stores, and financing institutions have programs that allow individuals with bad credit to get the computers and equipment needed for a business.

Companies that offer computer financing for bad credit typically require applicants to have a checking or savings account and a minimum monthly income. If the individual is on the verge of bankruptcy they would be charged higher rates along with expensive monthly payments.

Computer financing for bad credit costs more because financing companies take a risk that the buyer may or may not pay off the computers or equipment. The buyer also pays more to compensate for his or her bad credit. When a buyer meets the monthly payments, finance companies report this to national credit institutions, thereby improving the buyer’s credit score.

Other companies that offer computer financing for bad credit are rent-to-own businesses. A buyer gets to use the computer while paying monthly installments towards the ownership of a computer. These companies typically charge higher interest rates and payment plans in comparison to other computer financing agencies.