Some lucky companies can generate all the money they need internally. But most businesses end up turning to outside sources to meet their needs. Where are growing companies investing the capital they're raising this year? A survey of 259 businesses (half with revenues less than $20 million) done by Ernst & Young last spring showed that many more companies are raising money and many businesses are using the money for multiple purposes. The most common uses are for developing new products and services, and expansion into new geographic areas.
% of Companies Investing Capital
Use Raised in That Area
1991 1992
New products and services 50% 62%
Expansion into new geographic markets 47 52
Funding current operations 45 49
Capital expenditures/expansion 40 49
Acquisitions 38 41
Funding joint ventures 26 32
Refinancing debt 26 31
Cashing out part of ownership 18 27
Source: The Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Services Group's annual survey of members of the Institute of American Entrepreneurs, Dallas, 1992.