Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I know that there are several threads on Prosper here, but they go back 10 months or more so I figured I would bring up the question again. Has anyone had any recent luck getting any funding, and if so do you have any tips? Thanks in advance!

The first sign of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result.

Robert, have you ever done a whitepaper on those many ways to raise capital? I was just looking again at your site (QuikStart...) and it seems to be a great place to list methods. You`d monetize it by facilitating or expanding, training or coaching, but I`m curious about there being that may ways.

All I know is about bank loans, maybe personal credit, bootstrapping, or family. From watching topics over the year or so here, it seems most entrepreneurs are in a similar situation, not having a lot of info about other ways to raise capital. Anway...just curious. :-)

Craig,

You raise an interesting point. I’ve never give the white paper idea much consideration – since so many books and other material have been written on the subject. But the way you phrased it is causing me to give it more thought.

 

Most of the material I’ve seen says that basically capital can be acquired by one of two ways – debt or equity. One either takes on an obligation (either personally or through the company) or sells ownership in the company. While readily accepted, the terms are technically inaccurate since not every “security” transaction is for ownership (equity) and debt can be created via the sale of a security. The real difference between these two categories is how they are treated in the company financial reports –rather than by what means they arrived or from what source they came.

 

Since all who supply capital expect a return – the amount and the manner in which it will be delivered is of paramount consideration when preparing a capital acquisition strategy.

 

Some of the primary “variables” in a capital strategy include; the source, the vehicle, the terms and the method /timeframe for the ROI. Using these variables, we have identified over 50 combinations which are viable for small companies.

 

Thanks again for your input. I’m going create something that expands on the above points.