The term equity finance refers to share capital that is invested into a business for the medium to long term in return for a share of the ownership and in many cases an element of control over the running of the business. There are two main forms of equity finance available to businesses. These are business angels and venture capitalists. Equity finance is fast becoming one of the most popular ways of gaining start up finance for businesses.
Equity finance is the perfect example of true risk capital. This is because there is no guarantee that your investor will ever get there money back. Unlike lenders equity finance investors don’t normally have the rights to interest or to be repaid at a particular date. The way in which equity investors regain the money that they have invested into a company is through taking a share of the business and a percentage of the profit. It is because of this high risk involved in equity finance that if your business can not support growth rates of at least 20% you may not be able to attract equity funding. Equity investors are more likely to invest in someone they feel they can trust with a clear business plan and strategy.
As a business you need a clear business plan and strategy regardless of what type of business start up finance you are hoping to attract. You need a comprehensive business plan with a detailed marketing plan and your financial forecast. Your business plan needs to address issues such as how much funding you are going to need and how much control you are hoping to retain over your business. You also need to clearly state what you are using your business start up finance for as well as if your plans are realistic and if your venture is appropriate for outside funding. Whilst you are completing your business plan you also need to consider what potential investors may be concerned about. Without all of this; plus much more no potential investor will go near your business, planning is key if you are hoping to secure external funding.
If you are hoping to gain the financial help of an equity investor there are several questions that you need to keep in mind such as are you prepared to give up some of the shares within your business as well as part of the control over your business? Investors will expect to have some say in the way in which your business is run so you should be prepared for this. You also need to be confident in your business and the products and services that your business has to offer, one way in which you can do this is by identifying what your businesses unique selling point is. As well as this you also need to have the necessary industry skills and experience to drive your business.
For more information about what equity finance can do for your business get in touch with a business angel or venture capitalist today and they will advise you on what to do next.
By: Helen Cox
Posts Tagged Business Angels
Business angels fall under the category of equity finance. They form the most popular form of equity finance and can truly do wonders for your business venture.
When it comes to starting up your own business the most important thing to sort out before anything else is your start-up business finance. You will need funding for your business before you even start trading. No matter what type of business you are planning to go into, whether you are selling a product or a service you will need to secure finance before you open your business up for trading.
Funding for your business can come in many forms, ensuring that you choose the one that is best for your business is the tricky part so here’s some helpful advice. Most new business fail due to incorrect funding with many making the mistake of turning to their bank for finance only to find out that the bank refuses to give them the capital they need and with many more finding out the hard way that they can’t keep up with repayments, which ends with them losing not only their business venture but typically their house that they thought was a good idea at the time to use as an asset to their bank loan.
You’re probably left thinking now ‘what am I going to do?’ well lucky for you there are people out their waiting to give you money for your business start-up funding that you, wait for it, don’t have to pay back! Who are these kind people I hear you cry, business angels of course. A business angel is a high net worth, wealthy individual who has already made their fortune through other business ventures. They are often retired individuals who invest their skills as well as capital into new and developing businesses. Business angels invest money into your business that you never have to pay back in return for a growth share of your business.
Business angels typically seek investments that will give them ten times more back than their original investment within five years of your business being active. They invest their own funds and usually invest between £10,000 and £750,000.
As well as cash, business angels can offer years of experience in the business world. Although some prefer to become a sleeping partner, others will get actively involved in your business from writing a marketing plan to taking the company through a flotation on the stock market.
Business angels will invest across most industry sectors and stages of business development. They tend to generally look for the following within your business as a basis of whether to go ahead with an investment:
• The expertise and track record of the management
• Your businesses competitive edge or unique selling point
• The characteristics and growth potential of the market
• Compatibility between the management, business proposal and their skills and investment preferences
If you do decide to choose the help of a business angel within your business start-up funding then you must ensure that the angel you choose is right for your business needs. You should choose a business angel that is best suited to the needs of your business.
It is also important to keep in mind that business angels tend to mainly invest locally and within a specialised area.
By: Helen Cox
Business angels are high net worth individuals; they form another way of gaining finance for businesses. Business angels form part of what is known as equity finance. This equity finance is money that is invested into a business that doesn’t need to be repaid. Business angels are one of the most popular forms of equity finance and in recent years more and more people are realising the benefits of using the help of a business angel.
Business angels are established entrepreneurs who have already built up their own business. They are typically men over the age of 35 but there are no strict guidelines as to who can and cannot become a business angel. The majority of these business angels make investments for financial reasons; however in many cases there are often other factors as to why business angels wish to make a contribution to a business. These reasons include things such as they wish to take part in the entrepreneurial process and to have the enjoyment of being part of a successful investment.
It has been estimated that business angels invest roughly £300 million every year into established and start-up businesses. It is also safe to say that the majority of these investments happen at the start-up stage of business rather than later on in business. Typically, Business Angels invest between £10,000 and £750,000 in an investment. Where larger amounts are invested in a business, this may be as part of a syndicate organised through personal contacts or a Business Angel Network.
When it comes to the type of business that business angels invest in it should be noted that business angels invest across most industry sectors and stages of business development; however many business angels especially invest in early and expansion stage businesses. Most business angels prefer to invest in companies within 100 miles of where they live or work. Investors in technology companies tend to be more prepared to travel longer distances. One thing that is certain is that business angels rarely have a connection with a company before they invest but they will often have experience of the industry sector that they will be getting involved with.
If you are either a start-up business who needs start-up finance or you are an established business who needs extra finance for a specific purpose then a business angel could be just what you are looking for. A business angel can bring not only money to a business but by using the help of a business angel you are also gaining help in the form of experience, contacts and additional skills to a company.
Not all businesses are often able to gain the help of a business angel. Your business/company has to have a decent history and you need to prove that you will be able to establish yourself. There are certain aspects that business angels will look at within your business to determine whether you are eligible to gain the help of a business angel. These aspects are things such as:
• The expertise and track record of the business founders and management team
• The competitive edge or unique selling point of the company
• The characteristics and growth potential of the market your business is in
• Compatibility between the management, business proposal and the business angel’s skills and investment preferences
• The financial commitment of the entrepreneur
If you are interested in gaining the help of a business angel it is important that you get in touch with a financial company who will be able to put you in touch with a business angel who will be able to possibly help your business.
By: Helen Cox