Did you just start a business, or are you planning to? You’ve come to the right place. Commonly cited research puts survival for businesses with employees at roughly 50% past the first five years.
Our job is to help make sure your business ends up in that surviving half.
For a deeper look at startup funding, explore our startup funding guide.
There are two main must-haves when starting a business: a business plan and working capital. Without a business plan, your company lacks structure and direction; without working capital, you can’t carry out the steps the plan lays out.
Working capital can come as funding from a qualified lender, family or friends, or an investor — it’s up to you to determine which is the right fit.
Funding Options for Startup Businesses
Funding options for startup businesses include, but aren’t limited to:
1. Crowdfunding, Online or In-Person
If you can clearly explain your needs and passion to friends or even strangers, people are often willing to help financially and support you morally.
2. Small Business Funding Through a Lender
Whether you’re searching for resources or working capital for your startup, REIL Capital can help. The application takes about two minutes, and decisions on some products are possible within 24 hours of a complete application.
Fill out our application for funding to get started.
3. Women-Owned Business Financing Through the SBA
To the roughly 53% of American startups with at least one woman in an executive position, customized funding is available through the SBA. The agency’s stated mission is to “help women entrepreneurs launch new businesses and compete in the marketplace with the training and funding opportunities” they need.
4. Investors, Whether Angel or Other
Most investors want equity in exchange for capital, but a good investor can offer more than money — opinions, connections, and financial value that come with the territory. Know how much equity you’re willing to give up before you have that conversation.
Advantages of Funding for Startup Businesses
1. Align Funding With Your Goals
Why spend money if you don’t know how it will affect your company, internally and externally? Read What Numbers Should a Startup Business Focus On to figure out your goals — and from there, what form of funding actually fits.
2. Acceleration of Growth
Funding accelerates growth through a well-planned strategy, the purchase of large assets, access to experienced industry professionals, and the ability to raise significant capital quickly.
3. Ability to Protect and Secure Your Business
Capital on hand is one of the biggest, most underrated benefits of funding — it means less stress, faster problem-solving, and quicker decisions. It also means you can cover surprise costs, make bigger investments when the moment calls for it, and handle emergencies without derailing the business.
4. A Lender’s Expertise
Working with a lender means access to someone who understands financing — someone who can help you think through strategy and decisions as your business grows.
You may also find it helpful to read How to Get Funding to Buy an Existing Business.
Business owners also benefit from reading A Comprehensive Guide to SBA Loans in California.
Let’s hit the ground running together. Apply for funding today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main funding options for a startup business?
Crowdfunding, direct lender financing, SBA programs (including women-owned business financing), and outside investors (angel or otherwise) are the main paths — each fits a different stage and risk tolerance.
What are the real advantages of getting funding early?
Funding lets you align spending with clear goals, accelerate growth through bigger purchases and faster hiring, build a cash cushion that reduces stress and speeds up decisions, and get an experienced lender’s perspective as you grow.
How fast can a startup get funded through REIL Capital?
The application takes about two minutes, and decisions on some products are possible within 24 hours of a complete application. Funding timelines after approval vary by product.
