Here in October we are seeing some positive reports related to small business loans as there are some indications that banks are preparing for more demand and lending in the future, as certain major financial institutions are reportedly adding more workers to these small business loan departments, but there are also reports that the SBA has been able to offer a higher amount of loans in some areas than we have seen in the past. However, some small businesses have grown frustrated with looking for these opportunities as small business loans through either traditional lenders, smaller banks, or even SBA-insured loans have not always been easily accessed by certain companies and as a result, these business owners are looking to angel investors as a way to find financing.
When it comes to these angel investors though, some businesses may have to treat this situation as if they were pursuing a small business loan, as providing a business plan, letting potential investors know how funds may be used, what types of profits are to be expected, and how a business has fared in the past or just a few aspects of attracting angel investors if the business is looking into these types of funding opportunities. Yet, there has been some nontraditional ways that business owners have gone about attracting these investors as more companies are turning to online communities that may be able to help when it comes to finding the financing that is needed.
However, since an angel investor will likely be someone who has had experience in a specific industry in which they are investing, this is often seen as a bonus for small companies that hope to use an angel investor’s capital to further their business endeavor, but these investors may also be able to offer guidance and direction for a small business owner that could help them see more success down the road, as many of these investors will themselves have been in a position where they were successful in their business, which has given them the funding to invest in small businesses.
What current advisers are often pointing out is that some businesses may be growing desperate when it comes to getting financing as there are some companies that do have the opportunity to expand, possibly hire more workers, and see more profitability but for one reason or another they may be denied a small business loan. When this is the case, some businesses have jumped at the offer of an angel investor, which may not always be in a company’s best interests, as certain aspects of the angel investor agreement will not only have a business owner detailing how an investor will eventually be repaid and profit, but business owners have often been warned against making sure they protect their rights and investment in their company, as some investors may take a larger and more active role when investing.
However, businesses are responsible for looking at how an investor may be more helpful for their business versus a small business loan, and when it comes to contacting these potential investors there are a variety of avenues that have been explored and used in the past months, and over the years, but again as some business owners grow more concerned about their ability to access credit and start looking to these alternative investments, it needs to be remembered that a business owner should take caution when it comes to how much of a hand and investor will have in the running of the company and in profiting from any success.
