Capital Resources
For starting/scaling your business
Where to find Loans & Grants
Funding a business—whether for launching, growing, or scaling—depends on your stage, industry, traction, and goals (e.g., retaining control vs. rapid growth).
In 2026, options range from non-dilutive sources (no equity given up) to equity-based ones, with trends favoring capital-efficient approaches, revenue-based models, and targeted investors amid a recovering but selective VC market.
Here are some of the best places and ways to find capital, based on current practices:
1. Bootstrapping / Self-FundingUse personal savings, revenue from early customers, or side income to fund operations. This keeps full control and is ideal for validating ideas before seeking external money.
Many successful companies (e.g., those following "capital-efficient" paths) start here.
- Where to start: Focus on generating revenue quickly; tools like QuickBooks or similar for tracking.
2. Friends, Family, and Personal NetworksOften the first external capital—smaller amounts, flexible terms.
- Pros: Faster, less formal.
- Cons: Can strain relationships if things go wrong.
- How to find: Pitch to your network; use simple agreements.
3. Small Business Loans and Debt FinancingNon-dilutive; repay with interest. Great for scaling with predictable revenue.
- Best options in 2026:
- SBA loans (e.g., 7(a) program) — government-backed, competitive rates.
- Bank/alternative lenders for startup or growth loans.
- Revenue-based financing (RBF) — repay as a percentage of revenue; flexible for scaling (popular for eCommerce/online businesses).
- Where to apply: SBA.gov, banks, or platforms like Onramp Funds, Accion Opportunity Fund.
4. Grants (Non-Dilutive, Free Money)Ideal for specific niches (e.g., underrepresented founders, tech, social impact).
- Top places to find them:
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) resources.
- Programs like Amex Shop Small Grants, Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Hero, or sector-specific ones (e.g., Pride Fund for LGBTQIA+ owners).
- Government/public grants, accelerators with funding.
- How: Search Grants.gov, or sites like Inc. Magazine for annual lists.
5. CrowdfundingRaise from many people online; equity or reward-based.
- Platforms:
- Kickstarter/Indiegogo (rewards-based).
- WeFunder, StartEngine (equity crowdfunding).
- Best for: Consumer products, community-driven ideas.
6. Angel InvestorsHigh-net-worth individuals investing early; often provide mentorship.
- Where to find:
- AngelList (now Wellfound).
- Local angel networks or events.
- Platforms like OpenVC, Foundersuite.
7. Venture Capital (VC) and Accelerators/IncubatorsFor high-growth scaling; equity-based, larger amounts.
- Stages: Pre-seed/seed (angels/micro-VCs), Series A+ (VC firms).
- Where to find:
- Accelerators: Y Combinator, 500 Global (often include funding).
- VC databases: Crunchbase, PitchBook.
- Tools/platforms: Carta resources, Qubit Capital, Funden, SeedBlink.
- Tip for 2026: Focus on "default alive" metrics (low burn, path to profitability); AI/defense/energy sectors hot.
8. Other Specialized Sources
- Incubators/accelerators for workspace + funding/mentorship.
- Strategic partnerships/corporate venture arms.
- Revenue-based or alternative lenders for scaling without heavy dilution.
Quick Comparison Table
| Funding Type | Dilution? | Typical Amount | Best For | Key Places/Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bootstrapping | No | Varies (personal) | Validation/control | N/A |
| Loans/Debt | No | $5K–$500K+ | Scaling with revenue | SBA, banks, RBF platforms |
| Grants | No | $1K–$50K+ | Specific niches | SBA, Amex, Intuit programs |
| Crowdfunding | Varies | $10K–millions | Product launches | WeFunder, Kickstarter |
| Angels | Yes | $25K–$500K | Early traction | AngelList, local networks |
| VC/Accelerators | Yes | $100K–$10M+ | High-growth scaling | YC, Crunchbase, OpenVC |