Personal Funds

Yes this means YOU! Open your wallet, see what’s in your checking account, and dip into your savings account. Maybe your parents have a separate savings account for you. Maybe you need to get a part-time job, or even a second job to raise money. This is your business, after all, so you might as well start with your own hard earned cash!

Friends & Family

Most investors will assume you have already tried to get money from your friends and family. After all, if they don’t believe in your business, then why should anyone else? Friends and family should be your primary source of non-personal funds during the early stages. Go prepared, with a business plan and ask nicely. If they say no, thank them anyway for their time and move on to the next funding source. You’ll get there!

GoFundMe

Launched in 2010, GoFundMe is the world’s largest social fundraising platform, with over $3 billion raised so far. With a community of more than 25 million donors, GoFundMe is changing the way the world gives.

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Kick Starter

Kickstarter helps artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and other creators find the resources and support they need to make their ideas a reality. To date, tens of thousands of creative projects — big and small — have come to life with the support of the Kickstarter community.

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Fundable

Fundable is a powerful fundraising platform that enables Startups to quickly engage a large network of Backers to raise capital.

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Patreon

Our mission? Oh, nothing short of helping every creator in the world achieve sustainable income. We’re making this happen by building the best platform for creators to make money, run their creative businesses, and connect with the fans who matter most.

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Indiegogo

Indiegogo is a launchpad for entrepreneurial ideas. Raise money for your idea and find your first customers form our community of millions.

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Kiva

Kiva is a non-profit that expands access to capital for entrepreneurs around the world. More than 2 million people have raised nearly $1 billion on Kiva. Could you be next?

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Barnraiser

Whether your idea was just planted, germinating or growing larger roots, crowdfunding your project on Barnraiser can help you get the funds & promotion you need to cultivate your dream.

Each project is grown and watered by the person behind it. Simply give a brief background of your project, set your funding goal, start and end date, offer a few rewards in exchange for contributions and reach out to your community to help you get to the finish line. If people like your project, they can pledge money to bring it to life. If your project succeeds in reaching its funding goal, all backers’ credit cards are charged once its reached. If your project falls short of its goal, no one is charged. Funding on Barnraiser is all-or-nothing. You can continue to connect with your funding community long after you raise.

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U.S. Small Business Administration

What does SBA offer to small business owners? The programs are many and varied, and the qualifications for each are specific. SBA can help facilitate a loan for you with a third party lender, guarantee a bond, or help you find venture capital. Understanding how SBA works is the first step towards receiving assistance.

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Angel Investors

Angel investors are affluent individuals who provide capital for a business startup, usually in exchange for equity in the company. A list of angel groups can be found using the link below.

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Venture Capital

Venture capitalists are committed to funding America’s most innovative entrepreneurs and working alongside them to transform breakthrough ideas into emerging growth companies that drive U.S. job creation and economic growth.

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Bank Loans

In general, this won’t happen for a new startup unless you have a good credit history or existing assets that you are willing to put at risk for collateral. That said, it’s still an option and certainly not out of reach for everyone. Your parents may even be able to co-sign.

Credit Cards

***WARNING*** Although a possible source of funds for a business idea, this should be a last resort. Interest alone will quickly add up and bad credit could actually keep you from getting a business loan that you may need at a later date. That said, if you need a small and reasonable amount of money for your business quickly, a credit card could be the right tool. Use it responsibly and it will help you in the long run, as you’ll be building good credit!