Fund your startup with a business loan

How to successfully start a company

First, write a business plan. This will help provide structure and make your ideas concrete. Your business plan should provide insight into chances and possibilities, who your competitors are, and potential customers. You describe these topics in detail. Then you check if your ideas are financially feasible and include this information in your financial plan. This is part of the business plan. It allows you to see how much money you need from a business loan to start your business.

The business plan gives you information and inspiration to start your business. It answers questions, such as:

• Who are you as a business owner?
• What are your skills?
• What does your target group look like?
• Who are your competitors?
• How much money do you need?

Read the most important steps to start your own business.

How to prepare for your first business loan

Always prepare funding applications with a financial plan. The plan helps you get quick and focused insight into the possibilities for your funding application. The financial plan answers questions such as: What financial knowledge do I need? Where can I get money to start my business? How do I pitch my financial plan to investors?

How to fund your startup

What options are available to fund the start of your business? A few years ago, bank financing was the most popular form of funding. Recently, there has been a shift towards a mix of different options, known as ‘stacked financing’. The most common forms of funding to start your business are microcredit, crowdfunding, SME credit, flash credit, factoring and leasing. For example, it is possible to fund your startup for one-third by yourself with the help of family and friends, one-third with microcredit, and one-third through crowdfunding or other external financing.

Are you getting social benefits while starting your business? Then you can use the Bbz scheme (Bbz-regeling). The Bbz scheme offers extra income to cover your living expenses for up to 3 years. If you use this loan for personal expenses, you do not pay interest. You can also use it for investments in your business. For example, for buying machinery and inventory or stock. If you invest the money in your business, you pay interest over the loan.

Are you starting a business with innovative products and ideas that help to solve social issues and increase prosperity? Then you can take advantage of early-stage financing (vroegefasefinanciering, VFF, in Dutch).

What do financiers respond to?

When you apply for a loan, financiers consider both hard and soft elements. Hard elements focus on your business and your pitch. The soft elements are about you and your skills as an entrepreneur. Make sure that you have a good presentation, which shows your funder that you speak their language and understand their need for information.

Who can help?

The process of funding a business is complicated. If you have any questions, feel free to contact an adviser at the KVK Financing Desk. The adviser can discuss your situation with you, offer advice on your next move, and possibly connect you with other institutions that can provide you with more assistance.

Tips

• Contact an independent adviser.
• Invest your own money, if possible.
• Take interest and repayments into account from the start.
• Mix different types of financing.
• Prepare an effective elevator pitch.

The Financing Guide (in Dutch) is a useful tool to help you. It gives you a quick and easy overview of all the financial resources you need for your company.