TranslateTable of Contents:
Types of Funding
Small Business Administration Programs
Small Business Investment Companies (SBIC)
Micro-Loan Lenders
Grants
Family and Friends/Crowdfunding
Incubators
Banks
Venture and Angel Capital
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TYPES OF FUNDING
Banks, Commercial Lenders
Types: Debt – Term Loans, Line of Credit, Credit Cards
Commercial lenders offer term loans to finance working capital, fixed asset purchases, business expansion, and/or refinance existing debt. The lender may require an SBA loan guarantee.
A revolving line of credit is obtained from a bank or on a credit card. Supplies funds to fill temporary cash shortages. Typically used to finance working capital, eg. accounts receivable, inventory.
Collateral required.
Generally $5,000 - $100,000.
Grants
There are no direct federal government grants for starting a new business. Grants are generally given to organizations to stimulate or encourage business enterprises.
Family and friends
Borrow money from family and friends. Some organizations can manage personal loans between relatives and friends.
Incubators
Designed to encourage business start-ups. They provide workshops, multi-tenant office space, shared office services, and improved access to capital. Each center provides services to a very specific clientele.
SBA Loan Guarantees
The Small Business Administration has numerous programs and services designed to help small businesses succeed. SCORE is sponsored by the SBA. The SBA is primarily a guarantor of loans made by private and other institutions.
Private Investors
Types: Equity, Debt
Private or limited stock offerings can raise equity from outside investors without the cost and regulations associated with public offerings. The private offering must consist of debt and/or equity. Public stock offerings give the business access to growth capital and give investors a more liquid asset. These are expensive, time-consuming, and highly regulated.
Venture capital (VC) is provided to early-stage, high-potential, high-risk, and growing start-up companies. VCs make money by owning equity in the companies they invest in.
An angel investor or angel is an affluent individual who provides capital for a business start-up, usually in exchange for convertible debt or an equity investment.
Small Business Lending
Links for small business lending
Business Finance
Where and how to find capital for your business.
Colorado Office of Economic Development
Colorado offers various tax incentives and funding programs, including debt and equity financing, funding provided to banks to encourage lending, cash incentives, grants, and tax credits. All are focused on supporting economic development activities in Colorado.
SBA Loan Programs
Small Business Administration (SBA) - COLORADO
Colorado District Office
721 19th Street, Suite 426
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 844-2607
A quick reference guide to SBA loan programs
Small Business Investment Companies (SBIC)
SBICs are privately owned and managed investment funds, licensed and regulated by SBA, that use their capital plus funds borrowed with an SBA guarantee to make equity and debt investments in qualifying small businesses. The SBA does not invest directly in small business through the SBIC Program but provides funding to qualified investment management firms with expertise in certain sectors or industries.
Directory of SBICs
Micro-Loan Lenders
Micro-Lenders provide small business loans to entrepreneurs who are unable to obtain financing through traditional sources.
SBA Microlenders
Colorado Enterprise Fund
Micro-Loan Lender, SBA 7(m) Loan Program
A non-profit community development financial institution was founded in 1976. Help people start or expand their small businesses. Make loans to businesses that can’t get financing from traditional sources. Serves Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer, Weld, Elbert, and El Paso counties.
Early, Later, Growth, $1,000 to $150,000, Loans may be amortized up to 6 years
Aurora Business Development Center
Mico-lender (non-SBA)
Serves the city of Aurora, particularly Original Aurora (zip codes 80010, 80011, and 80045).
Also provides SBA Community Express Loans to borrowers from any location through three lenders for lower to moderate-income areas and minority-owned businesses.
Later, Growth, $5,000 - $75,000
Accion
Micro lender(non-SBA)
New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that increases access to business credit, makes loans and provides training, which enables emerging entrepreneurs to realize their dreams and be catalysts for positive economic and social change.
Largely privately funded.
Early, Later, Growth, $200-$150,000
Grants
There are usually no direct federal government grants for starting a new business. Check for private grant programs and city/state programs.Information on federal assistance programs for small business
Family and Friends/Crowdfunding
Links for organizations that help with direct peer-to-peer lending:
Incubators
Business incubators are programs that support the successful development of entrepreneurial companies. They provide an array of business support resources and services offered both in the incubator and through its network of contacts.
Banks
SBA Lenders
There are numerous other commercial lenders. Small businesses, especially start-ups, may have a better chance of obtaining funding through a community bank. Some community banks in our area:
Venture and Angel Capital
Boogar List of Venture Capitalists
List of venture capital firms
Funding Post
Venture capital and angel investor site
Angel Capital
Links to venture and angel investor sites
Investors Circle, Brookline, MA
Network of angel investors and venture capitalists
LaunchPad Venture Group, Wellesley, MA
The Boston-based angel investment group provides funding to early-stage technology-driven companies.
Colorado Capital Alliance, Inc.
Equity, Debt. Matches private investors with entrepreneurs who need capital:
PO Box 19169Boulder, CO 80308-2169Phone: (303) 499-9646
