Dreaming of how to secure Instant startup business funding for your startup? Cut through the noise with our practical guide on finding fast, reliable capital.
Ah, the startup dream. I mean, who doesn’t love the juxtaposition of glow of the laptop, world-changing ideas, instant noodles, and sleepless nights. Everything is good and golden until your world comes crashing down from the weight of unpaid invoices. Or, in this case, the startup’s world is more akin to the aching of the bank balance and unpaid pitch meetings. Speaking of which, who doesn’t love a good ole orange juice-spiked Starbucks meeting with a bunch of idiots masquerading as venture capitalists? The startup world is a whirlpool of drama.
But let’s take a turn to the good side and let me tell you that you don’t actually need to hunt a mythical creature in order to get a hold of the instant startup business funding the startup world seems to obsess over. Ultimately, funding doesn’t matter and the hands behind the wheels, or in this case the mythical creature of a dragon, unicorn or Rapunzel, do. Instead, funding seems to be a mere side dish that is curated for real, world-changing ideas. Things that actually matter. Ideas that skip the pitch, and try and cure hunger and needless suffering.Let’s first set expectations on the meaning of “instant”.
Let’s have an open conversation. “Instant funding” is not the equivalent of an ATM dispensing money after entering a business idea. This is wishful thinking. In finance, the term “instant” has a meaning of its own, and in this case, it is saving you from the dull and painful, multi-month grind of dealing with traditional bank loans or VC funding. “Instant” is relative to a time period of days to weeks, as opposed to an entire fiscal quarter. It’s sort of like the difference between “instant coffee” and a cold brew that takes 24 hours to brew. You’re caffeinated with both, but one gets you going significantly faster. The secret to securing instant startup business funding lies in your ability to understand and prepare for the timeline.
Your Pre-Funding Battle Armor: Housekeeping Before The Battle
A negotiation is essentially a battle, and as with all battles, there is a possibility of losing. Moves and strategies can only be employed with negotiation armor on, as it is judgment free. Investors and lenders are “sure” only when you bring everything to order. The prompt, “secure” is entirely based on you. They are only able to move quickly core to having systems to vet businesses. With this in mind, all you must do is make their decision seamless, and here is how to do that:
A Polished Financial Overview: Lenders want to see your figures, so don’t waste their time with a 50-page business that is bloated with fluff. Maintain your books, and ensure they are thorough and accurate. They will verify the books and want to see your monthly revenue, burn rate, and profit margins. This is the time to poise cold, hot, and beautiful data to back your claims. Ballpark estimates will only show a lack of professionalism, and will make you look cringe.
Evidence of Demand & Development: Proving that your value capture lever indeed works is something that hinges on your business model. For example, a SaaS model will look for active subscribers and low churn, while e-commerce brands seek consistent and repeat sales. Showcasing this growth is vital if you hope to secure instant startup business funding for your start-up.
Know Your ‘Why’: For what purpose do you need this amount of cash now? Is it buying stock to fulfill a huge purchase order? For a targeted advertisement on a platform known to bring back returns on investment? Be clear. “We need money to grow” is a horrible response. “We need $50,000 to $50,000 to increase our advertising spend on Meta by 50%, which has historically returned 4 times spend in 3 months” is superb.
Where to Look For Speedy Financing
So, you have done your research, you know your amount, and you have your war plan. Where do you go? The local country bank isn’t your best option. Rather, you should look for quick cash in the financial ecosystem of modern-day alternatives.
Revenue-Based Financing is a revolution in lending and a very useful tool for SaaS and e-commerce companies which have a line of dependable income streams. Instead of surrendering equity, you get what is essentially a cash advance and subsequently pay back a modest percentage of your daily or weekly revenue. Companies like Clearco and Pipe pioneered this space. They bind to your payments and accounting systems and after assessing your risk, make a decision within 48 hours and transfer the funds. For your startup, this is a go-to option to get quick cash.
Invoice Factoring “Are you a B2B start up sitting on a pile on unpaid invoices from big and reliable clients?” Invoice Factoring is your new best friend. You essentially sell your outstanding invoices to a factoring company at a small discount. Invoice factoring will provide you with 85% of your funds up front and the rest after your clients pay. This brings a ton of immediate working capital as well as streamlining your receivables. Invoice factoring is a classic tool that has been made easier and quicker with the help of new and modern technology.
Online Term Loans and Lines of Credit With the rise of new technology lenders like Cabbage, Bluevine, or Fundbox, the traditional process for acquiring a loan has become a lot simpler. Online Term Loans and Short Loans have become a lot easier to acquire as their applications simplify the process as well as their smart algorithm. Accessing a line of credit or a short term loan can be granted in as little as 24 to 48 hours. While their interest rates may be higher in comparison to traditional banks, the tradeoff of speed and convenience is hugely beneficial for those looking for immediate funds for their startups.
Let’s face it—starting a new business takes hard work. The business belongs to the company, and the work belongs to the business. The company needs capital and feels desperate, so it seeks a grant. But chasing a grant doesn’t mean searching for a magic spell or lamp. You follow modern guidelines, but even then, you risk hurting yourself. Instead of jumping through endless hoops, cut the distractions. Don’t roast yourself over guidelines. Don’t waste energy on tracking devices or “grant guidelines.” Focus on the actual work. Streamline it. Forget the “magical value” that loans promise. Roll up your sleeves and do the work your business needs.
