Marc R. Butler & Eric Butow 
Funding a New Business For Dummies 

Find the money to execute your brilliant business ideas

Funding a New Business For Dummies drills down to the top question on the minds of entrepreneurs–where can you find the funds to launch your new business? Connecting the dots between your vision and the capital needed to make it happen can be one of the most challenging parts of entrepreneurship. This book helps you over that hurdle, giving you the essential information and advice you need to navigate the path from idea to execution of a business plan. Discover how to evaluate all the options available, from tapping into your own savings to traditional loans to newer options like crowdfunding. You’ll also dive into finding and negotiating with investors, as well as managing your capital once it’s in hand. Start by visualizing business success, and then put in the work to make it happen, with the help of this no-nonsense Dummies guide.

* Get an intro to the world of small-business finance

* Assess your financing needs and take stock of your current assets

* Evaluate your options for loans, grands, and subsidies

* Learn to approach investors and pitch your business idea

Anyone in the early days of launching a business will find a treasure trove of valuable information in Funding a New Business For Dummies.

Table of Content

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with New Business Funding 5

Chapter 1: Learning About the Funding Ecosystem 7

Chapter 2: Finding the Funds You Need 21

Chapter 3: Getting Your Finances in Good Order 35

Part 2: Exploring Funding Options 47

Chapter 4: Bootstrapping: Starting with What You Have 49

Chapter 5: Tapping into Personal Funding Options 61

Chapter 6: Borrowing Money: Debt Funding Basics 73

Chapter 7: Sharing the Pie: Equity Funding Explained 91

Part 3: Navigating the Funding Landscape 107

Chapter 8: Finding Free Money: Grants and Subsidies 109

Chapter 9: Demystifying Angel Investors 123

Chapter 10: Venturing into Venture Capital 135

Chapter 11: Crowdfunding Made Easy 149

Chapter 12: Leveraging Incubators and Accelerators 169

Part 4: Negotiating and Closing the Deal 183

Chapter 13: Understanding Term Sheets and Investment Agreements 185

Chapter 14: Preparing for Due Diligence 199

Chapter 15: Sealing the Deal: Closing the Funding Round 213

Part 5: Managing Finances and Growing Your Startup 229

Chapter 16: Financial Management 101 231

Chapter 17: Budgeting and Cash Flow: Keeping Your Startup Running 247

Chapter 18: Analyzing Financial Reports and Making Informed Decisions 259

Chapter 19: Scaling Up: Funding Strategies for Growth 275

Part 6: The Part of Tens 285

Chapter 20: Ten Tips for Successful Startup Funding 287

Chapter 21: Ten Common Mistakes to Avoid in Startup Funding 307

Index 315

About the author

Marc R. Butler is a highly experienced financial services executive who currently works as an advisor and consultant in the financial services world, with a focus on wealth management, organizational operation, and startup success. Eric Butow is the owner of Butow Communications Group in Jackson, California, and is the coauthor of Instagram for Business For Dummies and Digital Etiquette For Dummies.