As your company expands, so do your ambitions and goals. You may want to enhance production, explore innovative solutions, or bring your envisioned technology to life. To realize these aspirations, you often need external funding.

 Different Funding Types

Funding can generally be categorized into two main streams:

1. Borrowed Money: This is the money you’ll have to pay back. Sources include bank loans, peer-to-peer lending, or start-up loans. Although borrowing comes with interest, it doesn’t dilute your company’s ownership. Sometimes, a loan might require collateral from the business’s assets.

2. Investments: Here, investors provide funds in exchange for company shares. This doesn’t need to be paid back. If the company prospers, investors earn dividends or hope for increased share value. If it folds, they might only recoup their investment after all creditors are settled. Investments can come from friends, family, angel investors, or venture capitalists.

Your funding choice depends on several factors:

• Company Size: A startup might secure a modest loan but could attract significant investments with the right idea.
• Purpose of the Funds: Whether you’re procuring assets like a car or investing in expansive R&D projects.
• Amount Needed: Whether you’re seeking a few thousand or millions.
• Equity Preferences: Borrowing won’t dilute your ownership, while investments will.

 Key Considerations for Seeking Investments

If you’re leaning towards investments, ponder these critical aspects:

• Funding Requirement: Clearly define how much you need for your growth stage and keep a contingency reserve.
• Company Valuation: A pivotal figure for investors to ascertain their potential ownership percentage and future ROI.
• Equity Allocation: Decide the proportion of the company you’re willing to part with.
• Pitch Deck: This presentation should detail your company, the problem your product/service addresses, its functionality, your market domain, and what you’re offering investors.
• Business Plan and Forecast: Ensure you have a comprehensive 3-5 year projection illustrating fund utilization.
• Tax Incentives: Especially in the UK, being SEIS or EIS compliant can be a game-changer for attracting investors.
• Asset Verification: Ensure the company legally owns or licenses all its operational assets.
• Investor Rights: Define investor decision-making powers post-investment.
• Cap Table: Regularly updated, this displays the company’s shareholding structure, clarifying ownership dynamics.
• Legal Counsel: Engaging solicitors proactively is wise. They’ll assist in drafting legal documentation, addressing queries, and ensuring mutual interest protection during fundraising.

 Conclusion

Fundraising is a pivotal phase in a company’s lifecycle. Approach it with clarity, proper preparation, and enlist experts to safeguard your interests.

Should you consider fundraising soon or need guidance on other business matters, feel free to reach out to our corporate team at hello@founders-law.co.uk