Today one of the major challenges faced by entrepreneurs is the issue of financing a new business. In a quest to raise money to start a new business, most entrepreneurs are likely to face many start-up issues. Traditionally, banks have not been the major source of business start-up funding. However, there are numerous funding options available in the market to raise business capital for your new venture.

For those entrepreneurs who think they may need some financial assistance before starting up their business venture, there are many ways to raise capital. Some of these include:

· Friends and Family: Many people hold the view that you should never lend money to your friends and family. This simply is not true in the world of business start-ups. Simply stated, friends and family is the single largest source of entrepreneurial capital in this country. You can ask for a loan or equity investment from your most trusted friends or family, create an agreement, and start your small business without any need to seek capital elsewhere. You will also find that you will gain more support if you plan on starting a business in an industry that you have experience in.

· Venture Capitalists: These professional investors who provide capital to new business ventures are another source of business capital. They earn their share of profit by becoming a partner in the business and selling off their stakes in the company five to seven years later. It is very difficult to get the attention of venture capitalists as they are solicited by many requests from entrepreneurs. It is estimated that venture capitalists invest in less than 1% of the companies who solicit their interest.

· Angel Investors: Angel investors are wealthy individuals who invest in business ventures, providing capital for start-up or expansion plans. They are very much similar to the venture capitalists in a way that they invest in new start-ups but generally play a more active role in offering guidance, advice, direction, and counseling to the business owners they are investing in. Angel investors also become part owner in the company they are investing in. Many small business angel investors often have business experience relevant to your company and are equally interested in adding value to your business venture, as well as making a return on the investment.

· SBA Backed Loans: The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal office that provides assistance to small business owners by helping them obtain loans through banks that provide their program. The SBA offers a number of low-interest small business start up funding programs for budding entrepreneurs.

Proper financing is very important for a new business. Business owners are generally advised to plan their financing well in advance to ensure a regular flow of funds. It is also recommended that you seek the advice of industry experts that have the relevant knowledge about your field and obtain feedback regarding your plan.