National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) - the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to seek capital or for those who are seeking startup investment opportunities. This organization helps match those investment money with entrepreneurs seeking funding. With more than 1,500 members worldwide, this is a good organization that can help provide education, information and provide additional resources for startup investment opportunities.
Inc. Angel Investor Directory - Inc. Magazine compiled a comprehensive list of business entities known as Angel Investors. In general, these groups are small groups who have specific criteria for investing in startup ventures. Whether you are searching for financing for a startup or you are interested in investment opportunities, these groups can help provide information. Make sure that each group is vetted for their individual requirements before agreeing to borrow (or invest) money.
Smarter Money Crowdfunding - peer-to-peer lending (also called crowdfunding) can be a great opportunity for entrepreneurs. Whether seeking funding for a small business startup or expansion, this may be the ideal mode of borrowing money. For those who are interested in investing in small business ventures, there are several startup investment opportunities. Some well known crowdfunding sources include the micro-finance company Kiva and CapAngel. However, limiting your potential to these two sources would be a mistake since there are so many additional opportunities.
Social Networking Groups - LinkedIn has an extensive directory of small funding groups. Entrepreneurs who are seeking funding can join these groups and may find the right investor for their business. Those who are seeking startup investment opportunities may contact these groups and ask to participate. Each group has specific requirements for obtaining funding and for those who wish to provide funding. Take the time to find out the specifics of each group before approaching them.
For those starting a business that requires financing, the road can be quite challenging. Unfortunately, not all businesses will qualify for funding through the SBA or more traditional funding methods. However, this does not mean that obtaining funding is impossible since there are so many non-traditional lenders. Fortunately, technology has also provided numerous resources for startup investment opportunities. Regardless of which side of the equation you are on, a startup or an investor, these resources are a great starting point.
