This type of financing allows investors to buy into the ownership of your business.
Advantages:
Equity financing provides capital on a permanent basis with no repayment of principal or interest required. It adds to your company’s net worth, thereby improving the financial stability of the business and its ability to obtain debt financing. It can also result in outside expertise being added to the management or board of your business.
Disadvantages:
It carries with it a higher cost of capital and is therefore more expensive. It dilutes your ownership control of the business, and profits must now be shared. Equity financing is a permanent investment and may be difficult to obtain. It can create a conflict of interest between yourself, the business founder and the outside investor(s). It will also require more detailed and timely reports.
While not many small companies elect to go public, offering shares of stock in the company to the general public, it is certainly an option for the profitable, well-managed, growing small business. There are several reasons why you might decide to go public. It gives the business access to growth capital and can allow you to cash in your equity in the company. Through the growth in the equity base, the business can be leveraged to allow for increased borrowing capacity. Public market funds are not restricted and more attractive incentive plans can be structured. It can also enhance your reputation. However, the negative aspects of going public include the loss of control of your business and increased pressure to grow and produce greater earnings. There may be pressure to shift your business’ emphasis to increase stock value over generating a profit. There will be increased documentation, reporting, regulation and higher legal and accounting expenses. The public offering process is expensive and time consuming.
Colorado Business Development Foundation
info@coloradobdf.org
www.coloradobdf.org
Small Business Navigator Hotline: 303-592-5920
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