Sources of funding

Introduction

Have you ever thought, ‘Where does the money come from that I need to start and grow my business?’ Many start-up entrepreneurs face this challenge. To help you understand the role of money in entrepreneurship, this unit focuses on funding and the fundamentals of cash flow management to get you started.

Young and innovative entrepreneurial businesses help create, develop and grow new technologies, industries and markets and provide solutions to pertinent societal challenges. Yet, these businesses need considerable amounts of financial resources to get started, grow and succeed. Considering the importance of entrepreneurship for the overall economic system, there is a need for a better understanding of distinct sources and types of funding, and of how those sources of funding can be used by start-ups and how they affect the growth and sustainability of new ventures.

This unit offers you an overview on funding strategies, cash flow management to sustain the growth of the venture, and traditional and new sources of funding, as well as grants provided by the UK government and regional initiatives.

By the end of this unit you will be able to evaluate the pros and cons of different means of funding and support for your venture.