Four Fundamentals of Financing
Estimate the amount of funding you need
To secure financing for your business, start at the beginning: how much money do you need and for what?
Determine the best source of funding
Funding for startup and growing businesses often depends on your stage of business and the amount of money you need.
The Business Owner's Toolkit offers an overview of business financing and their Quick Pick chart identifies funding sources based on stage of business.
The SBA also offers information about Borrowing Money, including a discussion of the importance of your credit rating. Most outside lenders will look for a credit score of around 700. If your rating needs help, check out these Credit Repair Resources.
Put together a business plan
Most outside financing sources will require a business plan that outlines how and when the funder will be repaid. For help with business planning, including cash flow projections, go to our Plan Your Business section.
Get information about various types of funding
You know how much money you need and the most likely funding source. Now get more information about the types of funding sources.
Missouri Finance Programs
Missouri offers a number of programs designed for specific industries and situations:
Equity financing
Equity financing requires that the business sell a portion of the business in exchange for money. Missouri boasts:
Missouri also hosts an annual venture capital forum through InvestMidwest.
Go to high-tech funding for more strategies about financing fast-growth firms.
The Money Game, a Kauffman Sketchbook, describes where entrepreneurs find money.
Government Grants
Contrary to popular belief there are only a very few grants available to start and grow businesses. Read
The Truth About Free Government Grants.