4 Ways To Get Funding For Your Business (Without Investors)
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It’s not always easy to get funding for your business. Strategies that involve crowdsourcing can be hit or miss, and working with investors presents its own set of challenges.
Most of the time, you’ve got to have a reliable track record, show signs of an upward trajectory, and offer significant value before you can convince investors that lending to you is a worthwhile investment.
Particularly if you’re a startup without the sales or the cash flow to get your fledgling business up and running quickly, finding ways to fund your endeavors is vital. Yet it can be difficult, as many investors are hesitant to back startups, due to volatility.
Fortunately, you may not need to lean on these people! Here are four ways to get funding without help from investors.
1. Secure a Small Business Loan with This Company
Need funding fast? You may be able to get the money you need quickly with a small business loan.
Lenders may look at your business credit if you’ve been operating for at least a year. But if you’re starting a new company or if your business is still relatively young, a lender may very well look at your personal credit before granting you a business loan.
Fear that either your personal credit rating or business credit rating might not be good enough? Even those with fair or average credit may be able to get a line of credit of up to $250,000 with Kabbage.
With 6, 12, or 18-month repayment terms, you’ll be able to pay back whatever you use without origination fees or prepayment penalties. Of course, there is no obligation to take those funds. Simply take what you need, when you need it, using the Kabbage desktop portal or mobile app.
Thanks to a simple, paperless application form, you may be able to get a decision on your application in minutes. If approved, your funds will be available immediately.
You can apply for a small business loan with Kabbage if you meet the following minimum requirements:
- Your business has been in operation for at least one year
- Your revenue is at least $4,200 per month over the last three months or $50,000 per year
2. Ask This Company for an Advance
A common issue that small businesses and startups have with business loans is inconsistent revenue. While a large monthly payment may be doable one month, it may not be as doable a few months down the road.
Clearbanc offers a solution to this problem by offering what is called a “merchant cash advance.” Using this model, businesses are able to withdraw money as needed; and rather than requiring a fixed payment each month, Clearbanc takes a percentage, along with a flat fee, of each sale the business generates.
When you apply for an advance with Clearbanc and receive an offer, you will have a chance to negotiate your fee rate and finalize an agreement. You may be able to close out the entire process and receive funding in as few as one or two business days.
With offers that range from $10,000 to $10,000,000, Clearbanc offers plenty of capital for businesses of all sizes.
As long as you meet the following requirements, you can apply for an advance with Clearbanc:
- Your business has at least 6 months of consistent revenue
- Your average monthly revenue is at least $10,000
- Your business must be incorporated
3. Use This Website to Get a Personal Loan
If your business doesn’t have the revenue or credit history to be able to secure a business loan or advance, you may be able to rely on your personal credit rating to get funding for your business with a personal loan instead.
A personal loan allows an individual to borrow money from a bank, credit union, or lender, and pay that money back over time with monthly installments. Most personal loans are “unsecured”, meaning not backed by collateral.
You can use a personal loan for just about anything, including paying off a debt, paying medical bills, or home repairs and improvements; but you can also use it to fund your business’s endeavors.
Rather than scouring the web for different lending options, however, you can get multiple top options through Credible.
With just two minutes of your time, Credible will return up to 11 potential lenders offering personal loans ranging from $1,000 to $100,000.
You can compare interest rates and terms, and apply for your preferred option in minutes. After receiving approval, you may receive your funds as soon as the next business day!
With Credible’s best rate guarantee, you may be able to earn $200 if you find a better rate elsewhere.
4. Put Your Business Credit Cards to Good Use
If investors and loans aren’t in the cards, your business may be able to get a lot done with a few good credit cards.
Some of the best credit cards for businesses feature a 0% intro APR, which allows businesses to pay money back at a later date without racking up hundreds of dollars in interest.
Of course, be wise when using credit cards and applying for them. Heavy use of bad credit cards can quickly plunge your company into heavy credit card debt. Look for cards that have low APRs, cashback and travel rewards, and favorable balance transfer terms.
See a list of top business credit card options.
Getting Business Funds Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult
Would you rather get your money and not have to part with equity in your company or royalties on sales?
While partnering with investors can offer a few unique advantages, carefully consider how giving someone a piece of your business might impact your business down the road. Sharing revenue with another party certainly has the potential to hurt your business’s profits.
With a few ways to get funding without investors, however, you’re well-positioned to get money for your business without some of the same long-term implications.