Financing a Small Business


Recent Financing a Small Business Articles

How Twilio Went to Market Without Investors 

Twilio, software for app developers, sought funding just as the 2008 financial crisis hit. Co-founder Jeff Lawson's response: "Screw it."  Watch video

Raising Nearly $30 Million in Venture Capital 

With venture financing and guerrilla marketing, Genevieve Thiers and Dan Ratner are making Sittercity into a household name.  Watch video

Build a Winning Private Equity Partnership

If you're seeking outside funding to fuel growth, make sure you find an investor that's in sync with your business objectives - and brings more than just mon...  Read more

What You Need to Know About Private Equity

If you're a growing company looking for funding from angel, venture, or other private equity investors, understanding their objectives will help you find the...  Read more

15 Dumb Mistakes to Avoid When Pitching Investors

Pitching venture capitalists or angel investors is nerve-racking. Young entrepreneurs explain trip-ups you should avoid at all costs.  Read more

It's Getting Easier to Contract With the Government

The Obama administration this week announced a plan to pay the government's bills a lot quicker. Here's what it means to your business.  Read more

Following the VC Money: WhoGotFunded.com

A new website shines a light on the companies landing venture capital deals.  Read more

A Category With Economic Growth? Entrepreneurs

The United States unemployment rate may be stuck for another month at 8.2%, but historical stats from Ernst & Young point to economic strength among entrepre...  Read more

Will Investors Say 'I Do' to This Wedding Start-up?

WeddingLovely cuts the stress out of wedding planning for couples. Now it's trying to make investors fall in love with its vision.  Read more

BBQ Company Gets a Grilling

Few things are more grueling than delivering an elevator pitch to a group of skeptical investors. Pork Barrel BBQ did it in front of 4 million TV viewers on ...  Read more

The Leanest Start-up in Silicon Valley

Kurt Varner is like a lot of young men trying to launch a business. Except that he's living in his car. It's kind of a necessity, it's kind of a gimmick--and...  Read more

Investors: the More, the Merrier?

There are benefits and drawbacks of having a laundry list of investors. Here's how Susan Walvius and Michelle Marciniak did it with their bedding and sleepwe...  Read more

The 30 Coolest Entrepreneurs Under 30

Inc.'s most promising young entrepreneurs, class of 2012, includes the founders of Pinterest, Spotify, and 28 other awesome, visionary outfits. You gotta mee...  Read more

Minimize Expenses and Save Your Business Money 

Advice from Warren Jolly, chief executive of Affiliate Media, and Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council.  Watch video

The Best Way to Raise Money That No One Talks About

A private placement share agreement can give your company the capital it needs to take things to the next level.  Read more

Don't Shoot! I'm Getting Funded!

Yaron Galai was a reserve naval officer in Israel when he founded his fourth company, Outbrain. That's why he found himself negotiating from the trenches.  Read more

How the SBA Can Help You Raise Money 

Karen Mills, who leads the U.S. Small Business Administration, explains what the government arm is doing to help entrepreneurs borrow now.  Watch video

Incubator Focuses on Founders First, Then Companies

Some incubators and accelerators focus on creating great companies. This one hones its energy on transforming the hobbyist entrepreneur into a strong founder.  Read more

Small Business' Real Problem with the Banking System

Increased regulation of bank lending still needs to allow for measured risks that permit sound small businesses to receive funding needed to thrive.  Read more

Think the Government Can Help You? Think Again

Washington can't fix the economy. So we'll be counting on entrepreneurs and innovators like you to do it.  Read more

Alternative Businesses: How to Get Cash

Two Brooklyn entrepreneurs explain their philosophies on making realistic crowdfunding goals, learning to speak new languages, and when to not listen to your...  Read more

5 Cs Every Start-up Needs to Succeed

Whether you're in software or skincare, you can't succeed in business without these five essentials.  Read more

Father's Day: What It's Like to Launch a Business with Dad?

What happens when your co-founder is your father? Entrepreneurs explain the best and worst parts of running a family business--and how mom always gets called...  Read more

Inside the Midwest's Secretive and Scrappy Start-up Scene

With roots in a rugged agrarian work ethic, start-ups are thriving around Omaha--thanks in no small part to big spenders' bankrolls. We sent a lifelong New Y...  Read more

How to Vet Investors--Before You Make a Deal 

Tips from John Harthorne, founder of Mass Challenge, and Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council.  Watch video

From Beijing to Troy: Why One VC Is Betting on America

Bruce Gibney, a partner at Founders Fund, explains why the next great technological revolution will come from the United States, not China.  Read more

Shark Tank's Accidental Entrepreneur: Robert Herjavec

This CEO sold his last company to Nokia for $225 million. Now he's aiming for a billion-dollar business. Here's how Robert Herjavec went from penniless Canad...  Read more

Belmont Stakes: Why Entrepreneurs Will Never Bet the Favorite

A look at the intersection of calculated risk, the minds of entrepreneurs, and why the best business owners make long shot bets.  Read more

How to Start Talking To Investors

Pitching your company to investors daunting. We know that firsthand. So we picked the brain of a prominent venture capitalist, and got him to share secrets o...  Read more

Secure a Bank Loan or Credit Line--Even in a Tough Economy 

Advice on how to woo bankers from Ami Kassar, founder of MultiFunding.com, and Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council.  Watch video

Investors Are Looking For Serial Entrepreneurs 

Scott Wilson says even if he were to retire, he'd still be working on stuff.  Watch video

How to Pitch Investors: 7 Things You Need to Know 

Advice from Barbara Corcoran, real estate guru and founder of the Corcoran Group, and Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council.  Watch video

My Career as a Venture Capitalist 

Redbox executive Mark Achler discusses the highs of his career as a venture capitalist.  Watch video

Does the JOBS Act Help You?

Take a look at how different groups will fare under the new law.  Read more

Is Dead Equity Crippling Your Company?

Dead equity -- equity held by employees and founders no longer working at the company -- is a large and growing problem.  Read more