So you’ve decided to start your own business, and this is your “filling in the blank” moment. But it’s so much easier said than done. There are so many things that can go wrong when you start a business — from not raising enough money for advertising to ending up with a huge debt load. You’ve heard about the myth that women don’t have the “guts” to start a business, but everyone knows that’s not true. Finding the right source for money is definitely challenging at first, but you’ll find funding options for women to help you get started. So let’s get started!
Best Funding Options for Women to Kickstart Their Business
1. Angel Investors
Angel investors are people who invest money in startup companies. They are a great source of funding for women entrepreneurs.
Angel investors are individuals who invest in ventures that they believe are going to be successful. Their investment can be as small as $1,000 or as large as $10 million.
A typical angel investor invests in an early-stage company and has a certain amount of control over the company’s direction and strategy. A startup needs angels because it does not have the necessary cash flow to fund itself through its first round of financing. Angel investors provide this capital so that startups can start growing their businesses and going public.
2. Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is a funding method that can be used by both men and women who want to start their own business. It is a popular way of raising money for small businesses, online startups, and even non-profit organizations.
Businesses are increasingly using crowdfunding platforms as a way to raise funds through online donations as well as contributions from friends and family members. Crowdfunding is an excellent option for women because it allows them to raise money for their business without worrying about the traditional bank loan process.
3. Lending Institutions
Lending institutions play a major role in the funding and investment of women entrepreneurs. These institutions can provide both short-term and long-term personal loan for women entrepreneurs who want to start or expand their businesses.
Short-term loans are usually provided by banks and microfinance institutions, while commercial banks or venture capital funds usually offer long-term loans.
The primary purpose of these institutional lending programs is to help women entrepreneurs overcome financial barriers so they can access credit products that match their needs.
4. Bootstrapping
Bootstrapping is the simplest and fastest way to start a business. It means that you do not have to borrow money or take out any bank loans to start your own business. In fact, bootstrapping can be done by anyone with an idea for a new product or service. Bootstrapping is when you work as much as possible with your own funds and equipment, until you have enough money for your business to become self-supporting.
Bootstrapping does not mean that you have to live on ramen noodles or potato chips, though. It is just the concept of using your own resources and putting in sweat equity until you have enough capital needed to sustain your company.
It is a popular option for women who want to start their own business without the help of traditional financial funding sources like banks or investors. Bootstrapping means relying on your own resources, whether time or money.
5. Venture Capitalists
Venture capitalists (VCs) are the investors that take stakes in new businesses in exchange for equity or debt. VCs have a lot of freedom to invest with their money; they can choose to invest in anything from startups to established companies and even new industries. They are also allowed to invest in any company as long as they follow certain guidelines.
Venture capitalists typically provide small amounts of funding to early-stage companies, but once a company has proven itself, they may increase their investment up to 1 billion. Venture capitalists usually require significant amounts of information about a company before making an investment decision. Most VCs look at several factors when deciding whether or not to fund a startup, including financial projections, management team experience, track record, industry trends, and growth potential.
6. Government Schemes
The government’s main objective is to support women entrepreneurs through various schemes to increase their participation in the country’s economy. Government schemes are designed to help women enter the workforce and provide them with the financial support they need.
The schemes include:
- Start-Up India
- Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
7. Friends and Family
Friends and family are great sources of help for women who want to start their own business. They can help with financing, marketing, and branding. Friends and family can also provide valuable feedback about the venture.
Author Bio:
Shashank Modi is a content marketer who works at KreditBee – one of the India’s leading FinTech platform that provides quick loans online for salaried and self-employed individuals. Shashank writes to empower his readers so they can take control of their finances and live their lives without worrying about money constantly. His ultimate goal is to write a book to teach kids about finance and budgeting.
