How To Finance A Small Business Idea In Nigeria

Financing a small business is one of the most important parts of any firm. Raising capital for a business can be difficult for most business owners and entrepreneurs, as many are unaware of the numerous choices available to them in order to financially kick-start their ventures.

When it comes to financing a business, most individuals think of bank loans first, without considering other, more secure possibilities. We’ve put together this guide to assist you identify the best funding solution for your future business idea or existing firm.

1. Small Business Loan

When it comes to small company loans, some business owners find them difficult to secure, which could be due to a lack of expertise or suitable credit facilities, among other factors. Government loan programs, banks, some FINTECH companies, and other private sectors, as the case may be, all provide business loans to entrepreneurs seeking funding to expand or establish their businesses. Bank of Industry is a superb example of a government agency that provides small business loans (BOI).

Obtaining loans from a bank can be considered the traditional funding approach, and it entails setting up a meeting with local banks, particularly those with whom you currently do business, and then discussing business loan services with them. So, if they provide this service to their consumers, they will inform you of the actions you must do in order to obtain the loan. Depending on the bank, the process of applying for a loan and receiving it until it is paid back could take weeks or months. You might also want to look into acquiring a loan from one of the many online lending sites available.

2. Self-financing

Self-financing is perhaps the most straightforward approach to fund your company. Before exploring for other ways to finance a business, it is required that you have some money set aside for that firm. The safest and wisest approach to start a business is to use your personal funds. Although one disadvantage of this strategy is that you will be limited by your financial resources.

Self-funding or self-financing has the advantage of giving you entire control over your firm while also allowing you to assume all of the risks.

3. Business Grants

Many organizations provide grants to small business owners to help them finance their operations. Grants, of course, do not have to be repaid. There are numerous grants available for various groups of people, as well as others that are only available to specific sorts of enterprises.

Obtaining a business grant may not be as simple as it appears, so set aside time and make an ongoing effort to find one that suits your needs.

4. Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a popular way to raise modest sums of money or finance from a wide group of individuals. These individuals are not investors, so they do not expect a return on their investment or a piece of ownership in the company.

Instead, as part of their financial commitment to the business, crowdfunders expect to receive a present, such as a coupon for a product you plan to offer or a visit with the business owner. For business owners, the risk of crowdfunding is quite low. And, once again, you have complete control over your firm, but you are under no obligation to reimburse your crowdfunders if your business plan fails.

5. Venture Capital or Angel Investors

Venture capital is a sort of funding offered by investors to small enterprises or start-ups with strong growth prospects. It is usually funded by wealthy individuals, investment banks, and other financial entities. Any company considering this technique should be aware, however, that venture capital does not always come in the form of money; it can also come in the form of technical or management experience.

You should be aware that venture capitalists spend funds in exchange for stock rather than debt, i.e. a loan, and they also accept bigger risks in exchange for possibly higher rewards. They occasionally seek a seat on the board of directors, but only to a minor extent.

Angel investors, on the other hand, invest in tiny businesses by providing seed cash or expansion capital. Angel investors often seek a better rate of return on investment than more traditional investments, and they anticipate to receive 20 to 25 percent or more of their initial investment. Whether you want to approach angel investors or venture capitalists, both are viable avenues to consider provided you satisfy their criteria.

6. Raise Funds From Family & Friends

A lot of entrepreneurs have raised funds for their enterprises by enlisting the help of friends and family members. You must be careful not to compromise your financial future or relationships by appealing to friends and family for company finance. Every business involves risk, and yours is no exception. Make an effort to inform them about the danger associated in the business, as there is a possibility that the money will be lost. As a result, they are likewise preparing for the results. However, you must properly structure your company and determine whether you are selling them equity or only a loan.

While equity investments from friends and family may seem like a fantastic idea, you must proceed with caution. Ensure that a legal agreement is drafted by a lawyer. You should only ask them to invest money they can afford to lose.

Conclusion

There are many ways to finance a small business as a small business owner, but the aforementioned approaches are the most effective. Nonetheless, while all of the aforementioned methods of small business financing are excellent choices, you should carefully assess the nature and size of your company before committing to any of them.