Capital Sources For Your Business

Whether you’re growing a business organically or searching for ways to jump start business growth with a large cash infusion, don’t allow the large number of capital sources for your business become overwhelming.

This post identifies several non-traditional (i.e. non-bank) sources of capital for your business.

Outside Investors

Debt and Equity Mezzanine Bridge Capital
Bridge Capital is used by high growth middle market businesses in need of $5 Million or more for a period of three-to-seven years and who are capable of paying 20% plus for the use of the Investors capital.  Debt Mezzanine is often used in conjunction with a bank debt facility and is considered quasi-equity.    Accounts Receivable and Inventory may be used as collateral with Debt Mezzanine.  Equity Mezzanine is best suited when there is a very large potential upside in the business valuation in the future.  Whether using Debt or Equity Mezzanine for capital, it’s safe to assume the business is expected to grow significantly, become more profitable, and be sold to a third party in three-to-five years. When a business crosses the line and takes on Mezzanine Debt or Equity, it is considered a business that is ‘in play’.

Private Equity Group
Private Equity Groups invest capital in the form of equity into private businesses and typically buyout part or the majority of the original founders/shareholders.   This recapitalization offers the business owner an opportunity to sell twice:  once to the PEG; and then again when the PEG sells to another investor and/or buyer.  PEG’s invest in a business because they believe in its management team while recognizing the need for both capital and strategic management to take the business to the next level.

Venture Capital
Venture Capital firms invest capital in the form of equity into private businesses based on their belief in the business model and the   management team’s ability to scale-up with capital, connections, and advice.  Board participation on the part of the VC firm nearly always is mandated, and often controlled by the venture capital firm.

Angel Investors
Angel Investors invest capital in the form of equity into private businesses based on their relationship and confidence in its founder.  Angels invest capital in the early stage and their participation in the business management varies widely.

Alternative Capital

Accessing alternative capital sources outside of banks, credit unions, friends and family comes with an increase in the overall cost of capital.  In other words, as the business owner travels up the business capital food chain, access to capital becomes more expensive in terms of the net interest rate or cost of business capital paid on an annual basis.  Below is a summary of the cost of business capital  by the following categories:

Debt – Banks, Credit Unions, Friends and Family | Alternative Capital; and

Equity – Mezzanine, Private Equity Groups, Venture Capital, and Angel Investors:

Alternative Forms of Business Capital include:

Financing Companies
These provide Capital and Operating Leases to business, similar to a term loan, however the underlying interest rate (cost of capital) is greater.

Peer-to-Peer Crowdsourced Lenders
Following the lead from the U.K., these lenders are now emerging in the United States.  They pool private investors cash and lend to entrepreneurs in a streamlined application process.

Accounts Receivable Factoring
This lender acquires or buys some or all of the Accounts Receivable of a business and subsequently collects the payments directly from customers.

Purchase Order Financing
This lender is similar to an A/R Factoring Lender, however instead of purchasing the Account Receivable related to a customer, the lender acquires the Purchase Order from the customer.  The P.O. Financier advances the capital needed to fulfill a purchase order, and once paid by the customer, it pays the business owner who produced the product at a reduced factor.

Inventory Financing
This lender typically lends money to the business owner for high-priced merchandise that takes a long time to sell.  Automobiles, boats, and jewelry businesses use this form of financing.  When the business sells the product, it pays the Inventory Financier.

Merchant Cash Advances
A sum of money is advanced to a business that collects sales revenue through credit and debit cards from its customers.  Such a business is called a merchant and, at the end of each day, a portion of the daily receipts is remitted to pay down the sum of money initially received.  Retailers and restaurants frequently use this form of alternative capital.

Friends and Family

Raising business capital from friends and family is the most common path and largest source of funds for startups.  Business capital from friends and family is based on their comfort and confidence in the entrepreneur.  Typically friends and family do not have the financial or business savvy to  evaluate capital needs properly or judge the financial soundness of a business.  For this reason, many refer to this source of business capital as ‘Friends, Family and Fools’ capital.

The friends and family business capital source may be the only option for the startup. If so, the entrepreneur is well advised to accept a loan or investment only from friends and family members who can afford to lose their capital.  And careful consideration should be given to how the relationship may change if the loan or investment is not repaid or successful.  Proper structuring of the loan or investment is important when using the friends and family to start or grow a business.