Discover how one company—TechGuard Security—succeeded despite the dot-com bubble burst in 2000. The company’s owners found creative ways to fund their business. Read about alternatives to venture capital, such as leveraging resources and government contracts.

Why bootstrap your company? Don’t raise funds from equity sources unless it’s absolutely necessary. Read on for more bootstrapping advice.

Article author Alex Welch founded the successful company Photobucket. He used conventional and unconventional bootstrapping strategies. He raised outside money only after getting his company off the ground.

Peer to peer (P2P) lending used to be a funding alternative only for people unqualified for a traditional bank loan. Today, more qualified entrepreneurial borrowers are exploring P2P loans for start-up or growth. As credit tightens, social lending is becoming a more mainstream alternative.

Raising start-up money from those close to you is governed by many of the same laws applicable to venture capital companies. Even borrowing money from your friends and family might count as a sale of a security. Learn how to proceed with caution.

As venture capitalists retreat from financing seed and start-up companies, angel investors have stepped in. Angels are now the primary sources of funding in the early stage of business development. A look at these trends can help entrepreneurs understand this altered financing environment.

Women and minorities often face high hurdles in business. A seasoned consultant offers tactics for dealing with angel investors, who are largely white and male. Women and minorities should be aware of several issues when pursuing angel funding.

Read about trends in angel investing over the last two decades. According to the chair of the nation’s largest angel network, angel investors have been banding together in groups. This development benefits both the financiers and the companies they fund.

Who are angels? How can you find them and, most importantly, sell them on your entrepreneurial dream? Get the scoop in this Quick Read article.

Angel investors are a diverse, unorganized group of investors. Attracting and researching them can be difficult. Learn how to play to some common characteristics across this heavenly spectrum.

Entrepreneurs tend to exaggerate. They exaggerate the success of their business when talking to startup investors. They exaggerate the market potential of their products to find distribution partners. They exaggerate the soundness of their strategy to recruit employees. Funding your business without exaggerating isn't easy, but there's a clear line between optimistic exaggeration and outright fabrication. Here are some guidelines to help you get your startup off the ground without selling your soul or spinning a web of lies. Create a healthy foundation for your business by combining enthusiasm with honesty.

Good bankers should be a wealth of information to help answer many business questions. They should be involved in the community, which translates into critical local information, contacts and connections. Rely on your banker for this type of reference.

The best way to own a company is to own it fully. Unfortunately, you can’t always retain ownership. But there are only a few good reasons to expand ownership.

Securing funding involves establishing a reputation and building relationships. Funding options multiply as you get the word out. Learn how to play the financing game.

Obtaining funding starts with a solid business plan. You can increase your chances of success in other ways. Here is list of factors that will improve your chances of receiving funding for your venture.

Banks generally use several different criteria to determine if business owners are credit worthy. Read on for definitions of the five “C’s.” Determine your readiness for bank financing against the checklist.

What does your credit report say about you? Your credit history can play a big role in whether you get a thumbs-up from lenders. This article covers what you need to know, from FICO to finance.

Many people dream of being their own boss someday. Not everyone has the courage or the knowhow. Put your fears aside and start your own business.

For these veterans, SBA's PX is an entrepreneurial Rx. Patriot Express (PX) is a successful pilot program that has helped many veterans start realizing their business dreams.

Many entrepreneurs become frustrated by their business loan applications. Understanding and preparing for the process can alleviate some stress. Here’s how to start.

Determine whether your company is ready for private equity. A strong management team, infrastructure, and growth strategy are all necessary. This article contains suggestions for how to demonstrate your readiness to potential investors.

Need a cash infusion? Venture merchant bank financing can get your business on track. Venture merchant banks help entrepreneurs bridge the capital gap.

Raising early-stage investment capital can cause entrepreneurs to make critical errors. Be sure you are following all of the rules. This cautionary tale includes four mistakes every entrepreneur should avoid.

Reducing your company's pre-money valuation can make it more attractive to potential investors. Here's how to do it.

Planning to seek venture capital? Be forewarned. Before venture capital firms invest in you, they’ll investigate.