Before you decide on a finance option and visit a lender or investor, it's a good idea to see what's available. Two of the main types of finance available include:
Debt finance - money provided by an external lender, such as a bank, building society or credit union.
Equity finance - money sourced internally by the business.
Once you know how much finance you need, it's important to know your options. Knowing who to approach for finance can help you find the best finance option for your business. It can also give you several alternatives if traditional finance options fail. See the list below for some common sources of debt and equity finance: