Investors: financing options for companies

Equity for the start-up and growth phase, loan capital as soon as you’re profitable. Depending on what phase your company is in, you’ll need to rely on different investors. Get an overview.

What types of investor are out there?

The primary sources of funding in the development and growth phase are savings, private resources, subsidies and prize money and financing models in partnership with private investors. The doors to borrowing only open once your profitable.

The form of financing depends on the business phase meaning Founding, Growth or Realignment / Succession

Development phases	Forms of financing
Development	Private money (e.g., savings) Business angels (private investors)
Commercialization	Credit card Business angels (private investors) Sureties (e.g., technology funds)
Legende	Credit card Bank credit (e.g., overdraft facility) Leasing Trade & Export Finance Guarantees (e.g., technology funds) Direct investment (e.g., UBS Private Investor Circle) SEF.Growth (growth initiative of the Swiss Economic Forum)
Reife	Credit card Bank credit (e.g., overdraft facility) Leasing Trade & Export Finance

What counts as equity?

The term equity denotes funds contributed to a company by one or more owners or investors. It means you share in the company’s profits but are also committed to suffering any losses incurred.

Equity can be your own savings, money from family, friends or investors, advances against an inheritance or from cashing in a retirement fund early.

However, we’d recommend you don’t use all your retirement savings as seed capital when you start a business. Starting your own business is always high risk and if things don’t work out you could end up with a big hole in your pension fund.

What’s a business angel?

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Capital acquisition through direct investment