Finance
Definition: The management of money and other
assets. Finance also refers to procuring and managing the cash
flow of a business.
There are several important Web sites that may provide helpful
information. But first, a businessperson must determine what the
capitalization of his or her business should be. To start, it’s
important to develop a solid business plan and consult with an
accountant and an attorney familiar with capitalization issues.
Once you have a sense of how much money is needed, you must determine
how much will be from equity and how much from debt. Equity is
the permanent capital in the business, and isn’t repaid
until the business is terminated. These funds usually come from
the business owner, family and friends.
If you need more equity than you can finance in this manner, you
may have to raise equity from others. This complex topic is beyond
the scope of this page. If you need to raise funds from others,
you should consult an attorney.
If you require debt financing, contact local financial institutions
familiar with small-business lending. You may also find answers
to your questions on the Internet.
Web site resources:
City of Madison Office of Business Resources (OBR)
http://www.businessmadison.com/
OBR is the central point of contact for business assistance in
the city of Madison. Its services are geared to serve new start-up
operations, corporate relocations and everything in between. OBR's
mission is to assist businesses in developing and thriving in
Madison. This Web site has information about financing sources.
Credit Union National Association, Inc. (CUNA)
http://www.cuna.org
CUNA is a national trade association serving credit unions. Ninety
percent of America's credit unions are members. This site includes
links to Wisconsin credit unions. On the consumer information
page, you’ll find personal finance tips, financial calculators,
fraud alerts, finance-related articles, and more.
US Small Business Administration (SBA)
http://www.sba.gov
The SBA is an important information resource for small business
owners, and a source of small business loans.
UW-Madison Entrepreneur’s Center
http://www.corprelations.wisc.edu/entrepreneurs.html
This site includes a wealth of information and resources for entrepreneurs,
including the Entrepreneur’s Center’s Startup Enterprise,
which helps move research from the laboratory into the commercial
marketplace; the New Business Start-up Initiative; consulting
and mentoring resources for new and established businesses; and
information on events and publications geared toward entrepreneurs.
Wisconsin Angel Network's Resource Center
http://www.wisconsinangelnetwork.com/resources/
WAN has collected, linked and created a number of resources for
investors and entrepreneurs interested in equity financing.
Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA)
http://www.wisbank.com
The WBA represents banks of all sizes throughout Wisconsin. Of
the state’s 310 banks, 97 percent are members. Resources
on this site include information on financial-educational programs
and publications, financial products and services, and the financial
services industry.
Wisconsin Department of Commerce
http://www.commerce.wi.gov
This site includes information on many business topics, including
debt financing.
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
http://www.wdfi.org
Search under Securities to find information about regulatory issues
surrounding capitalization.
Wisconsin SBA Office
http://www.sba.gov/wi
The Wisconsin SBA office is responsible for the delivery of SBA's
many programs and services to the 72 counties of Wisconsin. Our
offices are located in both Madison and Milwaukee.
Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative
http://www.wwbic.com
The Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)
is a nonprofit economic development corporation providing quality
business education and access to capital for entrepreneurs. Established
in 1987, WWBIC consults, educates and mentors owners of small
and micro businesses throughout Wisconsin.
For a list of Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) members offering these services, click click here.
