Browsing Tag
Funding
320 posts
Learn about the different funding options available to new businesses, and how to choose the one that’s right for you.
Startups and Venture Capital: What Do They Spend Their First Round On?
There are more startups than ever before post-pandemic. As the e-commerce industry continues to boom and work from home remains a trend amongst the corporate sector, more entrepreneurs are using their funds to create new digital startups in a number of niches. However, from staffing to manufacturing, starting a business does not come without its...
WJR Business Beat: Grants for Women Entrepreneurs (Episode 347)
On today's Business Beat, Jeff Sloan shares NerdWallet's list of grants specifically for women entrepreneurs. If you're a woman or if you know a woman who wants to start or grow their business, but is in need of capital to get it really rolling, check out these grant opportunities and others. Tune in to the...
From Our Founder: Legislation Makes Equity Crowdfunding the Go-To Source for Startup Funding
Venture capital funding, while essential to the startup growth ecosystem, is a funding source that makes its way into only a small percentage of companies seeking critical startup and growth funding. The companies that get venture capital fill a narrow band that meet certain strict criteria, leaving many other highly meritorious and worthy companies out...
Rewards-Based or Equity Crowdfunding: Which is Best for My Business?
One of the most popular methods of fundraising for a startup is the use of crowdfunding platforms. With crowdfunding, people choose to make a donation through an approved funding platform to help raise money for a specific venture or project. If you're considering crowdfunding, it's important to have an understanding of the various models available...
7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship
The growth of social media, the internet and the freelance economy has created a wave of excitement around entrepreneurship. More people are becoming entrepreneurs due to the unpredictable job market and the fact that technology has made it easier and more accessible to a larger group of people. There are a countless number of books,...
What is Cryptocurrency and Should Your Business Use It?
Cryptocurrency, also known as crypto, is a type of anonymous digital or virtual currency that, unlike other forms of currency, is not backed by any central authority or government. While the currency is not backed by a traditional source, like the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or FDIC, crypto is secure thanks to blockchain, an ongoing,...
From VC to DeFi: 6 Realistic Ways to Fund Your Startup in 2022
The world is changing. The status quo is being challenged. Business models are evolving, and the future of finance has never been more promising. There are fantastic rewards to be had for those who know how to exploit the new opportunities for business funding that arise in times like these. And if you're not one...
5 Types of Investors for Startups
“The most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed.” -Adam Grant, organizational psychologist Investors are unique players in the growth process of a business. The level and quality of their involvement can ultimately help determine a company’s success or failure. It is imperative for budding entrepreneurs to take the time to learn about...
Crowdfunding is on the Rise: Here’s What That Means for Entrepreneurs
It's fair to say that starting a business is bittersweet, especially in 2021. On one hand, it's exciting to realize your entrepreneurial dream, but on the other hand, common challenges like raising business capital can discourage entrepreneurs from progressing a business venture. However, even during the pandemic, new business applications were at an all-time high. By...
Top Ann Arbor Tech Companies and Startups to Watch in 2022
Ann Arbor continues to be one of the top growing tech ecosystems around the country with some of the best startups to watch. A combination of university talent pipelines, top-rated quality of life, growing startup ecosystem, and growing VC funding has Tree Town topping lists as one of the best places to start a tech...
The Startup Coaching Playbook: Do You Need Business Coaching?
The biggest challenge for a startup founder is knowing where to focus. You’ve got to pitch investors, target the right customer, hone your business model and raise critical funding just in time. Your team is lean, the margin of error narrow. Yes, you can screw up some things, but there’s one task you can’t get...
How the Midwest Startup and Tech Scene Boomed in 2021
As the old saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was Silicon Valley, nor the Silicon Prairie. What’s happening in the Midwest has been years in the making, but there’s no doubt that 2021 was a huge year for Midwest startups. From major funding rounds to explosive IPOs, new funds to new...
Top Small Business Grants for Women and Minorities
For an updated list of grant programs for women and minorities available in 2021, please click here. Funding a small business can be quite the undertaking, whether you’re starting a new venture for the first time or have decades of experience in your industry. Of course, securing capital is often necessary, but depending on what...
6 Strategies for Local Startups to Scale Up Nationally
If you’re thinking about launching a business or have started one recently, there’s no need to restrict your goals to the local area. Here are six ways to compete on a national level. 1. Create products that address common pain points. One way to increase your chances of becoming nationally relevant is to ensure your...
The Ideal Pitch Deck is a Story, a Science, and an Art
In the startup world, it's pitch decks, not business plans that get companies funded. A deck is often the first impression an investor will get at the company, so it needs to look stunning. Making a pitch deck is an art, a science, but most importantly, a story. The deck should achieve three things: It...
15 Grant Programs for Minority and Women Business Owners
Grant programs offering free money are hard to come by, which is why many entrepreneurs frequently end up applying for small business loans or try crowdfunding to start or expand their companies. However, many organizations have recently created grants in an effort to assist companies that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Some of...
WJR Business Beat: New Grant Opportunity for Small Businesses (Episode 323)
On today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses a new grant program designed to provide support for underrepresented small business owners. If you quality, apply now! Tune in to the Business Beat, below, to learn more about the $1.65M initiative from American Express and Main Street America: Tune in to News/Talk 760 AM WJR weekday mornings...
How Local Startups Can Leverage Small Business Funding
There are many small business loans available for startups. Learn more about the different financing options and how you can get a startup loan for your business. There’s a bit more that goes into running a business than a million-dollar idea and an endless supply of Red Bull. Profitability is the metric of success and...
How Venture Capitalist Diane Yoo Chooses Her Startup Investments
With so many entrepreneurs and startup ventures seeking investment opportunities, it’s crucial that venture capitalists (VCs) create a list of criteria they want their potential investments to meet. Of course, every VC dreams of investing in a business that can grow into a billion-dollar unicorn company, but these instances are few and far between. As...
WJR Business Beat: Equity Crowdfunding Plays Key Role in Funding Startups (Episode 320)
On today's Business Beat, Jeff reveals the results of a Kings Crowd study on how online equity crowdfunding is changing the landscape for startups. Tune in to the Business Beat, below, to learn more about where the shifts in crowdfunding are changing: Tune in to News/Talk 760 AM WJR weekday mornings at 7:11 a.m. for...