The ultimate guide to help you raise capital for your startup
If you need to raise capital for an early-stage startup, you probably already know it will be a complex and potentially overwhelming process....
9 min read
Evan Diaz de Arce September 1, 2022
What does it take to raise capital for a successful early-stage startup? Is it all about having a great idea? Of course not. Any seasoned investor can tell you that great ideas are a dime a dozen.
Is it all about sacrifice? Working around the clock in your garage, surviving on nothing but ramen noodles? Nope. You likely will sacrifice a lot, and you might eat a ton of ramen noodles, but these don’t guarantee your success.
The biggest thing that separates successful startups from the huge field of failed startups is that the successful startups avoided running out of money long enough to turn their ideas into reality.
What it takes to create a successful startup, more than anything else, is a founder who is acutely aware of their finances, proactive about managing them, and creative about making sure the money keeps flowing in.
Venture capital is the most commonly talked about source of startup capital. But in reality, only a very small percentage of startups get the opportunity to work with a venture fund. The rest need to rely on that creativity we mentioned earlier.
This post focuses on nine alternative funding options that founders can consider when they’re raising capital for an early-stage startup.
Relatively few founders succeed in attracting the interest of big VC funds. According to Forbes, the number of startups that get investment capital is less than 1%.
That’s not to say you won’t find an angel who loves your mission or a big VC fund that’s looking for opportunities in your niche. It’s not impossible. But it is improbable.
If you plan to go after the big money, you’re going to have to work for it. You’ll need a captivating pitch, impressive performance metrics, and a rock-solid financial model. If that sounds like your game, Forecastr is here to help you and you should look for our next webinar on LinkedIn.
This post is geared more towards founders who aren’t looking for VC money right now.
So, if you’ve been told that you’re too early, that your metrics don’t meet industry benchmarks, or you’re just tired of searching for an investor who sees your vision, this post is for you.
Let’s dive in.
Just because VC funding is tough doesn’t mean you can’t find the funds you need for your startup to succeed. Entrepreneurs have a large and growing number of options to raise capital for their businesses.
These 9 options are worth your consideration.
Revenue-based funding is a great alternative for SaaS startups, tech products, or any business with recurring invoice-based revenue. It allows you to leverage your projected revenue to secure funding for continued growth. You then pay back what you borrowed, with interest, over the projected period.
Pros of revenue-based funding
Cons of revenue-based funding
Venture debt may be a good alternative for startups with few assets and low cash flow. However, it’s only available to businesses that have already obtained some venture capital.
If it’s available, venture debt can be a good solution to raise quick funds to harness an unexpected opportunity, or to bridge the gap between fundraising rounds.
Pros of venture debt
Cons of venture debt
For some startups, grants are an excellent source of alternative funding. The problem is that they’re notoriously hard to get. To obtain a government-issued grant, you typically have to meet a range of qualifications set by various federal, state, and local government organizations, and the application process is often strict.
Grants are also available from other sources. Banks and businesses sometimes provide grants to develop their communities and markets. NGOs also provide grants to businesses that align with their missions and objectives.
Pros of grants
Cons of grants
Like traditional VC financing, equity crowdfunding allows you to trade equity for capital while taking much smaller sums of investment money from a much larger pool of investors.
Equity crowdfunding platforms allow anyone to invest in startups – they’re not limited to accredited investment funds. Some platforms let investors contribute as little as $100 for a small stake in an early-stage company.
Equity crowdfunding is growing in popularity. It is regulated by the federal government, and there are several reputable SEC-registered platforms to choose from including StartEngine and Wefunder.
Pros of equity crowdfunding
Cons of equity crowdfunding
Angel syndicates are groups of individual angel investors who team up to fund projects together. Syndicates are typically led by a notable lead investor who speaks for the group, manages the due diligence process, and serves as the intermediary between the startup and the syndicate.
Syndicates sometimes pool their assets in “Angel Funds” that allow them to invest in larger projects and diversify their investments.
Pros of angel syndicates
Cons of angel syndicates
Convertible notes are short-term debt that converts into equity during a later financing round. Although the debt does carry interest, it often converts to equity at a discount to valuation. Getting early equity at a pre-money valuation incentivizes the investor with a higher percentage of ownership.
For a better understanding of how the discount rate and valuation caps work, check out our guide to convertible notes or watch this video for a quick deep dive:
Pros of convertible notes
Cons of convertible notes
SAFE stands for Simple Agreement for Future Equity. Like a convertible note, a SAFE is an agreement between an investor and a startup where the startup receives capital upfront in exchange for future equity triggered by an upcoming event.
SAFEs were developed by Y Combinator as an alternative to convertible notes. Early SAFEs were designed to raise small amounts of capital quickly. Today they’re commonly used to raise large amounts of capital.
Pros of SAFEs
Cons of SAFEs
Peer-to-peer lending was developed in response to the Great Recession when other funding sources for small businesses collapsed. To solve this problem, new software was created to connect startups and small businesses with investors willing to fund them.
P2P lending has since expanded to become a popular online alternative funding option to raise capital for early-stage startups.
Pros of peer-to-peer lending
Cons of peer-to-peer lending
If you need to extend your runway, but you’re not ready for a full fundraising round, you can ask your existing investors for an extension. This is often a great approach for early-stage startups with investors who have already written you a check.
In recent years, seed extensions have become very popular. As the bar for raising a Series A continues to climb, seed extensions provide a great solution for startups that aren’t quite ready. They’re also referred to as “Seed 2,” “Seed Prime,” and “Seed to A” rounds.
Pros of extensions
Cons of extensions
While these traditional methods aren't always easy to secure, they're worth understanding. After all, knowing the rules of the game helps you decide when (and how) to break them.
Here's the thing: traditional funding isn't just about having a great idea. It's about having a great idea that fits into the VC model of high-risk, high-reward investments. They're looking for the next unicorn, not a stable, profitable business that might take years to exit.
If you're building the next world-changing SaaS platform or a revolutionary AI technology, the traditional path might be for you. But if you're creating a solid business that may not have unicorn potential? You might want to consider some alternatives.
Early-stage fundraising has been glamorized by TV shows like Shark Tank and Silicon Valley. But 99% of founders have a much different experience. If you find yourself in this majority, you’re in good company. You just need to evaluate your options and find the funding that works best for you.
These nine alternative funding options should provide a good starting point as you set out to raise the capital you need to grow your business.
If you’re not certain which strategy will work best for your goals and objectives, a good financial model might be the perfect tool for you. With a solid financial model, you can evaluate different funding options and visualize how they will impact your cap table and operations in the future.
Reach out today to talk to Forecastr about getting a great financial model, along with the support you need to make the most of it.
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