Business General
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Managing your business
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Money, finance and cashflow
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Finding the money to develop your business
Are you looking to start a business, or in need of capital to expand? There may be good news for you, as the Treasury has recently made announcements that could increase the range of options and make it easier to access business funding.
External finance
For most businesses, the principal source of funding has traditionally been in the form of overdrafts and fixed term loans, which account for about 50% of all external finance. The Bank of England has said that there is 'no real evidence of firms having difficulties accessing bank finance'.
However, the need for some form of security can occasionally result in even the most well-presented request for funding, accompanied by an impressive business plan, being declined. And with over 40% of business funding being provided by hire purchase, leasing, trade finance, invoice financing, partners and shareholders, less than 10% is provided by venture capital sources.
Debt finance
Many lending institutions have developed 'credit scoring' techniques that assist them with small business funding applications. The determining criteria include credit history, past bank account management, the applicant's track record in business and willingness to invest their own money in the business, and evidence of repayment capability based on a business plan.
If an individual does not have a previous track record and has little or no capital, the application will focus on the entrepreneur's ability and willingness to provide some form of security against the borrowing. One possible source of guarantee for finance is the Small Firms Loan Guarantee, which provides a guarantee of 75% for loans, from a minimum of £5,000 to a maximum of £250,000.
Equity alternatives
Equity finance accounts for about 8% of external finance for small and medium-sized businesses. Those companies that do attract this type of funding tend to be highly innovative and have a prospect of good growth.
Over the past five years Venture Capitalists have invested about £33 billion in up to 7,000 unquoted companies, while some estimates indicate that 'informal' investors - such as friends, family or 'business angels' - invested as much as £12.8 billion in UK small businesses between 1999 and 2000.
According to 97% of respondents to the Government's 'Bridging the Finance Gap' consultation, there remains a significant lack of equity finance available, but this is a source of funding that looks set to increase in the future.
Business angels and informal investors
There are reckoned to be 20,000 to 40,000 angel investors in the UK, putting between £500 million and £1 billion per annum into between 3,000 and 6,000 businesses.
An InvestorPulse survey showed that in 2002, 75% of angel investors made investments of less than £50,000, with an overall average investment of £35,000.
Enterprise capital funds
The Government has announced its intention to launch a series of 'pathfinder' funds, based on the US-style 'Small Business Investment Company' (SBIC) model. These are to be known as 'Enterprise Capital Funds' (ECFs), and will involve the Government offering debt at a favourable rate of interest to privately owned and managed funds. An ECF would then be able to access private funds and offer these pooled funds to UK businesses.
How we can help
As accountants we have experience in working with clients and advising on available financing options, and lenders recognise the important role we play alongside businesses. If you see a need arising in your own business or know anyone else who would benefit from our expertise in raising finance, do please let us know.
Raising finance - the essentials
- Choose the right financier
Learn about the various sources of finance and select those best suited to your purpose. If in doubt, seek our help.
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Provide the financier with the right information
Make sure that you fully understand the information that the bank (or other financier) requires. This often means much more than basic financial projections. A financier usually needs to gain an appreciation of the business, the quality and depth of management and the key people involved.
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Take professional advice
It is best to use the services of a professional when preparing and presenting your proposal. We can help you prepare a solid, detailed business plan that will attract financial support, and perhaps identify potential financiers who will meet your needs.
A well-prepared proposal presented to a carefully chosen lending source will have a greater chance of success. It is worth investing enough time, preparation and effort to get it right.
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