Showing posts with label Financial Options. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Financial Options. Show all posts

Friday, 25 August 2017

What Venture Capitalists Look For In New Investments?

If you’re thinking of bringing in new investors, they’ll want to know how much your business could increase in value if they buy shares. To work this out, they’ll need to know how much their investment will increase your sales and profitability. Just provide potential investors and lenders with a financial model presenting how business will use the more money to boost profitability and sales. Also, how initial prices and augmented ongoing prices will affect the cash flow. Usually, sales increases only after taking on additional expenditure like employing more staff, putting in huge orders for raw materials or moving to bigger premises. So, there is a need to take all these spending in control while doing financial planning.

Often, growing your business means it needs more investment, whether through improved profitability or increased sales. It can be done by taking out a loan, putting previous profits back into business, put up shares for sale to outside investors as well as searching for other financing sources including government-backed schemes.


Now days, landscape of business financing is changing drastically as more options are available to business owners which were very limited few years back. Almost half of businesses are seeking financing from several no. of places like owner investments, non-bank sources etc.  Most of the businesses face challenges while taking advantage of growing opportunities and also at the time of gaining access to capital. So it’s really important that they seek the right way of financing according to their needs. Recently, it has been seen that businesses are focusing on “alternative” lending option, but the question is how do they know that is this the right option to pursue?

Answer to this question is that businesses should seek financing when they face an unexpected challenge or opportunity because at that time there is a need of quick capital. It has been seen that most of the time; businesses don’t have enough cash on reserve or any other source of credit that will help them in withdrawing required funds during these types of opportunities. These alternative fund lending sources help in filling that void by giving access, speed availability to business owners. 


To verify what kind of financing makes sense for business as well as situation, one must consider the exact need of the funds and the timing. Alternative fund lending sources helps in providing repayment flexibility and offering creative options that fluctuates along with sales volume. It's also in need to understand the rates that are associated with while choosing other source of fund lender. This type of funding is often costly than old-fashioned bank loan as these companies act as borrow capital, liaisons from several other financial institutions which guarantees the payment. Basically, when the client defaults, they absorb the risk as well as the losses.

Angel investors find interest in the next generation ideas and willingly fund startup ideas they find worth. They usually focus on technology startups. Although the process of receiving funds from an angel investors might be straightforward, but they always expect to see complete business plan along with financial projections. This funding option is perfect for technology-focused businesses, but still need guidance in product creation and marketing. Apart from providing money, angel investors also give guidance to that business owner looking for more experienced partners. They might also anticipate a certain degree of influence on how the company is running.

Moreover, as a founder your main goal should be growing more and more professional network. At the time of need for funding, you never know who might be next funding opportunity or source. Also, some investors can be a public figure who can be reached online. Several other investors mainly anonymity and it’s quite hard to search for any kind of information about them.


Alcor M&A is a leading advisory firm providing financial services with an emphasis on customized solutions in the areas of M&A advisory, Joint Venture Advisory, Financial Advisory,  Private Equity,   Debt Financing and International Business Development. These services leverages insights, relationships and a culture that emphasizes a strong orientation towards excellence.

For additional information on how ALCOR MNA can help you Grow your Company, Complete the Enquiry form One of our representatives will contact you within one business day.  
                 

Wednesday, 9 August 2017

Working Capital Loans for Small Business Ventures

Nowadays, Small business owners are facing numerous obstacles while running their companies. Often, various business owners of small as well as medium-sized businesses derive immense satisfaction in tackling these challenges, but it might happen that these processes cause headaches also. Most often when they are asked about their biggest professional demand, one thing that tends to be on the top is the challenge of getting access to working capital for managing cash flow. In other words, you can say that for covering every ongoing expense there is enough flow of working capital. A no. of reasons exists behind the cash flow is a steep challenge for owners of small businesses as they require precede revenue. Perhaps, it might happen that you are getting paid by your clients more slowly than what you expected.


Often, owners of small business venture might help in optimizing cash flow through the negotiation of long payment cycles with all the creditors and encourages debtors to pay as soon as possible. But there are various other solutions that might help you in sailing with plenty of working capital through the lean months. And you have two possibilities namely merchant cash advances and short-term business loans. One can put small business loans to work immediately for their business. For example, an owner of small business owners can use the working capital financing for meeting payroll of few months for negotiating an attractive inventory cash deal or to train and hire new employees.

Various business financing solutions, such as working capital loans for small business ventures might help in operating without missing a beat and can even make it possible in taking advantage of an unexpected business opportunity. Also, there are several hidden costs like the requirement of upgrading technology or unexpected equipment failure for improving efficiency as well as saving money in the long run. Interior remodeling, marketing, repairs, landscaping, and advertising might be important elements for your brand and ability for growing your business. Today in the highly competitive market where there is no time to waste, specifically while applying for business funding with lenders of working capital but working capital might be just a few clicks away.


At ALCOR, we understand all your small business requirement of working capital for keeping their options open and for pursuing numerous business opportunities that are continuously arising.  That is the reason ALCOR provides working capital to all the businesses across a variety of sectors globally. We also know that when a business owners need financing, they require it right now and not months or weeks from now, therefore we have made the application process so simple with a small amount of documentation and paperwork required. With ALCOR’s funding needs, you don’t need time for gathering statements and tax forms. Instead, we speak with the owners of small businesses learn their company’s unique visions for the future.


Furthermore, while starting a small business, one needs working capital financing for investing in inventory and accounts receivable. Using a formula of assumptions, one can get to know how much money is needed for working capital can be estimated on “Turnover Rates” for accounts receivable, inventory, and accounts payable. So, if one is the small business owner and is in need of working capital financing, then he must avoid high price related with financing products such as merchant cash advance, factoring, and peer-to-peer online lending, and lower cost financing opportunity available through your local Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). 


For additional information on how ALCOR MNA can help you Grow your Company, Complete the Enquiry form. One of our representatives will contact you within one business day.
                     

Monday, 31 July 2017

Raising Capital for Your Small Business Venture

Today there is a huge amount of money in the market of start-up funding across all stages of funding. Although there are a lot of financing options for start-up businesses available but it’s up to the investor or the owner to decide which option is to be considered. One such option is venture capital, so let’s get an idea about the elephant in the room namely Venture Capital firms. Venture Capital is a type of financing which is self-explained. Actually, it has firms or funds that offer venture capital which is high-risk capital supporting organizations and companies with the hope that they will provide a huge return on investment (ROI).


The available financing needed for covering short-term or immediate business requirement is referred as working capital. In order to determine how much working capital is available sum up your bank cash along with the money that customers owe you and your inventory value, after that subtract what you owe to employees and suppliers. Small business owners always make sure that they have sufficient cash for not just starting a business but also keep it going. Lastly, you can also cover your business requirement with the help of personal funds by potentially harming your wallet.

Working of Venture Capital firm

Within a Venture capital fund, there are two main elements: limited and general partners. People who are in charge of taking investment decisions as well as work with start-ups business for growing and meeting their goals are called as general partners. On the other hand, those who give required capital necessary for completing those investments are referred as limited partners. One can also say that limited partners offer the funds while general partners do the investments. One of the major differences among Venture Capital funds and other investment vehicles is that Venture Capital funds do not invest own partners’ money in case of limited partners while general partners use to invest few of the amount through the fund which is approx 1% of the fund.


How Do Venture Capital Firms Make Money?

A venture capital fund makes money in two ways: carries (carried interest) and management fees.
Carry or carried interest: It is a profit share of an investment fund or investment paid to the manager in surplus of the amount that he contributes to the partnership. In Venture Capital, carried interesting is mainly 20-25 %, which means the profit percentage among limited and general partners is 20% and 80% respectively.
Management fees: It is usually termed as the ‘cost of professionally managed assets’. Typically, venture capital funds pay management fee annually to the fund’s management company, in the form of salary and a method to cover fund and organizational expenses. It is usually computed on a capital commitments percentage of the fund which is about 2-2.5 %.


Influence on Startups

It is very important that business start-ups should identify the working of Venture Capital firms. Investors with one key objective in mind back start-ups for getting an ROI either in the form of money. It’s also important to note that Venture Capital funds have 10 years of fixed life, thus creating investment cycles lasting for about 3-5 years. After this firm start working alongside the business startups and the owners will scale & seek an exit, giving the returns they sought initially. Moreover, there is enough potential in venture capital firms, but it is essential to make sure that the chosen path is right for business start-up. Venture capitalists in exchange for the high risk they have taken by investing in your company, they basically get considerable control on decisions of the company. The venture can surely be a smart option for business startups that are willing or unwilling securing bank loans or completing debt offerings.


Often, working capital is quite difficult to find so it’s better to know the options that are easily available. It’s essential to understand certain characteristics because management of working capital might be a difficult thing so you can take benefit of in order to ensure that your business venture is fully efficient in improving working capital.


For additional information on how ALCOR MNA can help you Grow your Company, Complete the Enquiry form. One of our representatives will contact you within one business day.
                     

Saturday, 29 July 2017

Debt vs. Equity Financing: What's the Best Choice for Your Business?

It has been observed that financing business startups is not so easy feat. If one can swing it, bootstrapping is the best option but no matter what, one will require small amount of money for turning idea into somewhat tangible. If funds are not rolling in yet, it’s hard to make a top notch product. That is the reason why many startups and small businesses provide equity to investors and employees. It might possible that even if investors from outside are not for you, but still you may be interested in providing equity to employees. But the question is, how will you do it? If you are running a smaller business and are thinking to offer equity then stick with all your financing options. Many entrepreneurs think that the best and common form of raising money for their startup is equity financing. It involves the usual pitching to venture capital firms and investors for raising money in exchange for equity in company. However, this is not the only way of raising money for company rather debt financing can help in other cases also.


Equity Financing

As it is said that private equity financing is not for all but it provides greeting option for debt financing to several business owners. In fact, private equity financing against debt financing cannot be charged with two major gripes business owners’ level due to risk with personally guaranteeing a loan and the constraint placed by it on available cash flow. If you have a great idea for running a startup business but don’t have enough cash for funding your business then equity is the best solution for you. The main two common equity types are:

Equity Financing: In this, in order to finance your startup business, you need to sell shares to outside investors.

Equity Compensation: In this, one has to offer percentage of company profits in exchange of less salary.



Private equity eradicates the drawbacks of debt in that and for paying down debt, it does not divert capital from the business rather it shares risk in the business along with the entrepreneur. Another advantage of private equity is that you don’t need to pay right back to investors after they provide funding to your business. It means that one has more time for growing his business before he starts worrying about how he will how he will pay for it or not.  And in case business fails totally, one doesn’t have to repay. It is fact that investors either swim or sink or alongside the business owners.

Debt Financing

Debt financing is money that has to be pay back and it can take the form of a line of credit, a merchant cash advance, a loan, or a credit card. Using loan for obtaining capital or growth funds for starting a business is referred as Debt financing. Debt financing allows businesses to get the money they require for their business without giving away equity. Provided businesses can continue with the payments of interest and pay off all they owe and will get to maintain all the remaining proceeds in the coming years.
A number of sources are there for obtaining debt financing for your business. Some of the sources are outlined below:


Private Lenders: It can come from lenders such as family members, friends, colleagues, relatives, spouses, and private donors from whom you can connect with for raising funds.

Traditional Lenders: It includes banks that may do advance financing in the various business forms such as lines of credit and secured as well as unsecured loans.

Personal Financing: One can choose this from for obtaining personal loans from traditional lending sources or can use credit cards for financing business using debt.

Modern Lenders: this type includes payday loan lenders and peer-to-peer lenders.

Moreover, private equity is actually an umbrella term for huge money raised directly from recognized institutions & individuals and pooled in a fund that mostly invests in certain range of business ventures. For considerable long-term gains, attraction is the potential. Generally the fund is placed as a limited partnership, with the investors as limited partners and a private equity firm as the general partner. Typically, private equity firms charge huge amount of money fees for taking part in partnership and be inclined to focus in a particular investment type. And debt financing has its advantages as well as disadvantages; it’s up to you whether you choose this kind of financing for your business startup will work for your requirements.


For additional information on how ALCOR MNA can help you Grow your Company, Complete the Enquiry form. One of our representatives will contact you within one business day.
                            



Thursday, 27 July 2017

How to Bootstrap Your Start-up

Nowadays, it has been observed that new entrepreneurs used to believe on the myth that they only require a minimum half million dollars for starting the business. The process of starting a new venture with limited budget without the involvement of investors is termed as bootstrapping. Also, it is the only way to continue starting new business, if you don’t want to spend months in preparing sales pitch and delivery circuit. Additionally, through bootstrapping there is neither risk nor pressure of an investor being your boss who will be guessing your each move. Borrowing money under right situation can give the boost to small business which it needs to reach its next milestone or to get off the ground. There are several options available to small business owners’ seeking out loans and credit, but it’s essential to know which finance lending option is better for your business and for demonstrating that your small business is a good risk, what information you will need.


It has been observed that start-up business mainly rely on personal loans from friends, family or borrow against credit cards for funding their ventures. Business loans as well as lines of credit are easier to obtain more established businesses, as they have a track record of management and cash flow to report. Still several other small businesses look Private equity, Venture capital, Seed capital, Growth capital, Working capital and Mezzanine financing as an alternative of traditional bank loans options. Below are some ways that may help you in determining the type of lending that suits your small business at any development stage. A common list of startup practices done by new entrepreneurs in managing the ironic pain and without taking help of investors started new venture with limited budget are discussed below:

Business Credit Cards

If your business is incorporated, get a credit card for it in order to keep finances of business and personal expenses separate. As this will help you in keeping record of your business expenditure and personal ones by categorizing expenses, and will help in you in establishing good credit history at the time when your business needs urgent funding. But always make sure that long-running balance along with high interest rates might eat profits of your firm. And your credits can be damaged, if you fall behind on payments. Always restrict your card usage to important business functions, as well as keep your balance below or at 30% of your credit limit.



Borrow From Friends or Family

Most of the start-up business owners look for family or friends for initial funding of their business without any established business history. So, its better look for those friends or family members who can give you cash and business guidance as well. Prepare a business plan and ask for enough funds that take the business to the next level and it will be easy to lend money again if you prove him that you will repay on time, if in case you need it later.

Line Of Credit

For ongoing needs such as inventory management or seasonal payroll, a line of credit many proffer an open-ended access to cash if your small business has uneven cash flow. You can still qualify for the full requested amount, and then one can borrow as well as repay funds on the time. For long-term investments such as property purchase or making larger equipment purchase, then a line of credit is not appropriate. So, better be prepared for submitting financial details of business plus tax returns and information of bank account for securing the credit. Furthermore, yearly financial review is also required.


Stick To a Business Domain

It is not good to start a new venture in a place where one has no prior experience although it proves to have great potential. Every business comes with unwritten rules and if you lack any inside business knowledge, it will cost you a lot. It has been seen that good connections can be done at low prices.

Find Team Members to Work

People who are working with you should understand the startup failure rather than expecting money up front. It is quite expensive and difficult to manage contracts as well as employees and entrepreneurs who have just started a new venture are not good in any of these things. In certain cases, equity proves to be best guarantee of focus and commitment.



Defer Your Urge to Find Office Space

Today, team members of remote startup are the norm and may be very creative with video, smart phones as well as speedy internet. Also, office spaces costs cash up front, need equipment, staffing as well as travel expenses and through a good website, your venture may look big like of any competitor.

Moreover, small business lenders give loan to businesses that was operating profitably for continuous two years. A broad range of documents are required to be provided to the small business owners, so that the lender can easily analyze cash flow as well as the ability of company to repay loan along with interest. Also, first thing you should do is to calculate the actual financing cost, then project your monthly cash flow accordingly in order to see at what stage you might require need extra cash. And always remember that lenders may not provide 100% finance. Consider whether the funds borrowed by you will help in generating more revenue in the coming years or not because if not, then you may be better off waiting. Rather leverage any capital infusion through which you can get into sales and marketing, with the aim of generating cash for the business in the future. And in this way, you may not require to borrow again.

For additional information on how ALCOR MNA can help you Grow your Company, Complete the Enquiry form. One of our representatives will contact you within one business day.