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Explore your funding options

Find your funding

What is funding?

Funding is the act of providing resources to finance a need, programme, or project. There’s lots of different funding options.

Having enough cash is a key aspect of your business’s financial health. Not having enough working capital can have a serious impact, for example, you might need funding to allow you to complete your business plans.

And because there are so many funding options out there, it’s often hard to know which one is best for your business at the time. If you’ve already watched the videos on our access to funding page then you’ll know a bit more about what’s available. There’s also a quick recap below.

Types of funding

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Royal Bank of Scotland Business Banking services are available to eligible customers, over 18 who have the right to be self-employed in the UK. Some services have specific eligibility and/or terms and conditions. For credit facilities security may be required. Product fees may apply. Over 18s only. Business use only. Subject to status.

Start-up loans/grants

Generally low-interest government-backed personal loans or grants available to individuals looking to start or grow a new business in the UK.

For information on grant funding visit Government Grant Service or Swoop to find grants that may be appropriate for your business.

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Finding the right funding

Borrowing from financial providers like banks or loan companies offering a range of borrowing services including:

  • Business loans
  • Business credit cards
  • Arranged overdrafts
  • Commercial mortgages
  • Invoice finance
  • Asset finance and leasing
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Accelerator funding

Accelerators can offer both equity and non-equity funding, usually alongside a programme of support.

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Crowdfunding

The use of small amounts of capital from a number of individuals to finance a new business venture, including:

  • Equity crowdfunding
  • Reward crowdfunding
  • Debt crowdfunding
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Equity investment

Investment for an equity stake in the business including:

  • Angel investment – smaller amounts of investment, usually from an individual, high net worth investor, angel syndicate or local angel network.
  • Venture capitalist (VC) – a private equity investor who provides capital to companies that show high growth potential, usually at a later stage.
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Initial Public Offering (IPO)

Floating your business on the stock market, and making shares available to buy in order to raise money.

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Funding sources by business lifestage

This diagram shows the different types of funding available. It also gives you an idea which ones could be the most relevant at each stage of your business.

Give yourself time

Looking for and finding funding isn’t easy. It can be a frustrating and time consuming way to grow your business. So, be prepared and do your research.

Think about the options that are:

  • most accessible to you
  • right for your stage of business
  • aligned to the amount you’re looking to secure
  • related to the time and resources you’ve got available to secure that funding.

Funding requirements

Now you know about the different types of funding available and how they relate to your business stage, it’s time to think about what you’re looking for.

Ask yourself the following questions to explore the funding stage, needs and requirements for your own business. Once you’ve gone through them, you’ll definitely have a better idea of what you need and how you’re going to get there.

Business state questions:

  • What stage is your business currently at?
  • Have you validated your business model?
  • Is your business generating revenue?
  • Do you have financial forecasts in place for your business? (1-3 years)
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Funding questions:

  • Have you identified a funding gap?
  • When would you need the additional funds by?
  • Are you clear on how much funding is required?
  • What is the funding for?
  • Have you identified a funding source?
  • What are the next steps to securing that funding?
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Funding checklist

Can you put a mental tick ✓ or a cross ✗ next to the items on this list for what you’ve already got? For anything you haven’t done, jot down a reminder or save a voicenote as your funding to-do list.

Business Model Canvas

Build out the nine components of your business to model growth plans.

Business plan

Outline your forecast and growth plans, plus the opportunity on offer to help investors see you're worth their time.

Due diligence

Do the groundwork now on your finances and when you’ve found a funder and secured an investment, it'll speed things up.

Financial projections

Keeping your plans up to date can help you determine if you can move forward.

Investor insights

Don’t underestimate the time it takes to research, contact and cultivate potential funders.

Investment one pager

Jot down exactly what you need to introduce yourself and your business to potential funders.

Your funding pitch

Develop a pitch or deck for your business, including why you need funding is a great idea.

Valuation

Important especially if you’re going for investment, outline the equity and return on investment that’s on offer.

Tips for getting funding ready

  1. 1

    Securing funding can be tough, so plan ahead if you can

  2. 2

    Explore all the options available to you

  3. 3

    Speak to peers, your bank manager and investors

  4. 4

    Be realistic about how much you need and why

  5. 5

    Pitch often and be resilient to knock-backs

  6. 6

    Create clear and concise documentation that stands out from the crowd

Don’t know your angels from your gazelles?

Our jargon buster could help. Doing, growing and selling a business is packed with words, acronyms and terms that you may not have heard before. Our jargon buster explains the most common so you can sort the equity from the liquidity, and keep an eye on the unicorns.

More funding basics from around the web

Start-up business financing guide

An essential guide from Start Up Donut to make sure you’re getting the best possible financial base for your business.

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The 5 stages of equity funding

Discover more about the main stages of investment and what that means for funding.

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Questions you’re going to be asked

Make sure you’re ready for investment by checking out these questions from All Business.

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Who does what in a business?

Law firm Pinsent Masons explain the key roles in a business and their responsibilities.

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What's next?

It’s important to remember that most businesses go through the processes of looking for funding. So no matter how hard it seems at the time you’re not on your own, and there’s lots of support available.

You could:

  • Build out a funding one pager for your business, identifying areas that need further exploration
  • Run through the learning on the basics of bookkeeping or financial management to help you develop solid financial statements and put forecasts together
  • Sign up to one of our wrap around events to help you explore your funding needs further

For more insights on funding and managing your business finances check out this article Understanding your finances.