In an ideal world, every business venture would be launched with the right amount of capital at the optimal time. But as most entrepreneurs know, that’s not how things usually go. Coming up with the initial funding to launch a new business and sustain it until it becomes profitable can be challenging for most startup founders. Unless you have rich parents or a trust fund, you most likely won’t have enough money to get your idea off the ground and operating profitably from day one. Fortunately, there are various sources of funding for entrepreneurs who are looking to launch their own company. These programs offer different types of capital and can assist even the smallest startups in getting their ideas off the ground and into production.

Bootstrapping
If you don’t have any outside investors, you’re bootstrapping. Bootstrapping is the term for starting a business with little to no outside funding. If you have no outside investors, you have no one else to blame when things go wrong. If your business succeeds, it’s because of you and no one else. If you fail, it’s also because of you and no one else. Bootstrapping is great if you want complete control over your business and don’t want to give up any equity to investors. It’s also not ideal because you have a lot fewer resources than you would if you had outside funding. Bootstrapping can be done by anyone. The amount of money you have to start with, though, is usually very small. To successfully bootstrap, you need to make smart decisions about the resources you do have.

Angel investments
An Angel investor is a wealthy individual who invests in early-stage companies in exchange for partial ownership. Entrepreneurs who need funding to get their business off the ground and sustain it during its early growth stages can approach Angel investors for financial assistance. Angel investors provide capital in exchange for equity in the business. Angel investors usually invest in start-ups in the early stages of their development and expect the business to turn a profit within a few years. Angel funding is offered by many incubator and accelerator programs, which provide seed funding and other resources to promising new ventures. Angel investors may also be involved in crowdfunding campaigns, in which members of the general public make small investments in exchange for a stake in a company’s future profits.

Venture capital
Venture capital firms provide funding to established companies that have proven business models and a clear path to profitability. Venture capital firms provide funding in exchange for partial ownership in the business, and expect to get a return on their investment within several years. Venture capital may be used to finance the initial launch of a company, or to help it expand at critical moments in its development. Venture capitalists may also partner with entrepreneurs to provide strategic advice and expertise. Due to their high-risk tolerance, venture capital investments are typically reserved for companies that have already demonstrated their ability to generate revenue and turn a profit.

Seed Funding
Seed funding is offered to early-stage ventures to develop prototypes and pilot programs. Seed investors provide capital in exchange for a small stake in the companies they fund. Seed funding may come from government agencies, incubators, and angel investors, as well as venture capitalists. While seed funding is not designed to generate a significant return on investment, it is intended to help entrepreneurs develop robust business plans and functioning prototypes. Seed funding can be critical in bringing an idea to market and generating revenue since it’s often necessary to complete market research, create prototype products, and pilot programs.

Collaborative Consumption
Collaborative consumption is an economic model in which individuals share access to goods and services rather than purchase them outright. Businesses that provide access to goods and services through a sharing model, such as car- or bike-sharing programs, may receive funding from government agencies or private investors. Collaborative consumption companies that provide paid services, such as Airbnb or TaskRabbit, may also seek out funding to help them scale their operations and increase the number of goods and services they provide. Collaborative consumption ventures are often funded by individuals or firms that provide equity in the company in exchange for partial ownership and a return on their investment.

Company Innovation Fund (CIF) Grant
The SBA Company Innovation Fund (CIF) Grant provides funding to help small businesses innovate, expand their product offerings, or make operational improvements. Entrepreneurs can apply for grants up to $150,000 to fund a variety of operational needs, such as developing new products, improving marketing and sales, expanding into new markets, and conducting research and development. CIF grants are available to companies that are not currently receiving SBA loan assistance, and entrepreneurs can apply online. Applicants are typically required to match the amount of their CIF grant, although the SBA may waive the match requirement for certain companies.

Small Business Investment Corporation (SBIC) loan
The SBIC program is designed to provide financing to underserved communities, small businesses, and socially-oriented enterprises. The SBA offers loans from participating SBICs to private sector organizations that provide affordable financing to small businesses. These loans are intended for projects that cannot be financed through more traditional commercial sources and may be used to expand businesses, implement new technologies, or make operational improvements. Small business owners can apply for SBIC loans online and may be required to provide documentation to prove they have exhausted other sources of financing before they can be approved.

Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just getting started with your first project, funding will almost certainly be necessary at some point. Fortunately, there are many funding sources available to entrepreneurs who need help getting their ideas off the ground and sustaining them until they can stand on their own. One of the best ways to find funding is to attend networking events and talk to people who have experience with funding ventures. It’s also important to prepare for these meetings by doing your research and having a good idea of what you want from them.