photo credit: tombothetominator Do existing businesses need money? Probably. Is this a time to start a business? Maybe. In either case, the business plan you write today will be different than the one you wrote five years ago. Five years ago money was available. It is still there, but it is a lot harder to [...]

photo credit: zhushmanson Starting a small business has proven to be on e of the best ways to build wealth in America. Over 90% of all millionaires are small business owners. Taking the first step towards financial freedom is the most important thing you can do. Now, financing your business venture can prove to be [...]

photo credit: Lori Greig Green investing is growing up. Previously the province of a small number of investors who chased an even smaller number of companies, the market for environmental technology has expanded dramatically in recent years. And it has captured investors’ wallet share along the way. Inflows into green funds totaled $766 million for [...]

photo credit: Theodore Scott Many say that now may not be the best time to deal with the Spanish market. Property, once one of the most intriguing aspects of Spain, has now become overcrowded and overpriced. But on the other hand, investing in businesses there has started to let its potential shine. There are thousands [...]

photo credit: cwbuecheler Many start-up companies and even savvy business people are not aware of what it takes to find capital to launch their new idea or propel their business forward. There should be no shame in this because if you were an expert on it you would be in business finance and not the [...]

photo credit: JUCCCE When we purchased Rockford Ball Bearing Corporation out of bankruptcy in 2006, the venture capital market was flush with cash. This spring we sought an additional round of funding for our expansion. Venture Capital is never easy to find, but especially during these difficult economic times it is getting harder. New strategies [...]

photo credit: Hot Meteor Alright, so you woke up one day, checked your Swiss Bank Account, called your family office planner, had breakfast with your private client service wealth manager, got your tax accountant on the phone, and between three of you, you decided to invest your proceeds from your latest company’s Merger or Acquisition [...]

photo credit: Marcin Wichary Where, oh where, has that business grant gone? Everyone talks about them. Few seem able to actually find them. Some, in fact, claim that business grants are everywhere; some claim they are as rare as a trout tooth. The truth, dear Watson, lies somewhere in between. “Business grants are there for [...]

photo credit: David Boyle in DC We’ve all seen the hype: “We’ll put your plan in front of thousands of investors!” “We’ll write you an award-winning online business plan!” “Only $3,000 for thousands of investors to learn about your company!” I cringe every time I see one of these ads. Vultures are preying on honest [...]

photo credit: rachie lea All businesses start with “the big idea”. The person with the idea often times does not have all of the start up capital that they need to turn this multi-million dollar idea into a reality. The first place that many business owners start to seek funding is from friends and family. [...]