One day, after a
business forum speech, a young man approached me. He shared his dream: to
create an online platform for teachers to reach children in the most remote
parts of the world.
“But I have no money—just an idea,” he said, full of hope.
I smiled. Because I
know the truth: these days, you don’t need a suitcase of cash to start—you need
to understand which types of funding exist, and which one is right for you.
That’s what this article—and my upcoming book—is all about.
In business, money is not the goal. It’s the fuel. And if you want to go far, you need to know what kind of fuel your engine needs. Below are 14 types of finance I’ve personally used, recommended, or seen power successful companies all over the world.
1–4. Sell Equity – Gain a Partner
Angel Investment
Angel investors bring more than money. They bring mentorship and belief. A good
angel doesn't just look at your spreadsheets—they see your fire. It’s like a
parent investing in a gifted child.
Venture Capital
VCs come in when you’ve already proven you can run. They give you the fuel to
scale fast—but they’ll expect you to push hard. It's like upgrading from a bike
to a race car: more speed, more risk.
Equity Crowdfunding
What I love about this model is its democracy. Ordinary people become
shareholders and ambassadors of your idea. It’s a true market test: if they
back you, your idea has wings.
Private Equity
When you've built the factory and want to expand globally, PE steps in. They
invest serious capital—and usually take control. It’s about turning something
good into something great.
