5 ways women entrepreneurs can fund a startup

Entrepreneurship holds a special appeal for many women. “Being your own boss is a path to both pursuing a passion and gaining more control over your career,” says Sharon Miller, president of small business at Bank of America. But, she notes, it also can present some special hurdles.

While more than half of entrepreneurs rely on personal savings or income to fund their startups,¹ there generally will come a time when outside financing is required, and securing that financing can be tougher for women. For instance, only 1.9% of venture capital (VC) funding goes to women-founded startups.² “Nearly half of women entrepreneurs believe they don’t have the same access to capital as men,” Miller notes.

But other funding options do exist, including loans and grants earmarked for women-owned businesses. And some venture capital firms specialize in funding women entrepreneurs. Below is a rundown of five common funding sources along with the pros and cons of each. Discuss them with your banker before you try to launch your new business idea.

1. Tapping your personal assets

Personal assets and income from another job are the most common sources of initial funding for the majority of entrepreneurs.¹ If you’re dipping into savings, keep in mind that you should still try to maintain a healthy emergency fund — ideally a year’s worth of living expenses — because you may not know how soon you’ll be able to draw a salary from your business. If you’re near retirement age, tapping your own assets could be especially risky, because the time to rebuild them is shrinking.

More than a third of women small business owners also use credit cards to help cover operating expenses.³ But double-digit interest rates on balances can be an expensive way to fund a startup. Alternately, you could consider leveraging assets you have in an investment account as collateral for a loan. That allows you to have access to the funds on a short-term basis without having to liquidate your investments and losing out on potential earnings growth. Be sure to talk to your banker about whether self-funding your business with personal assets will still allow you to meet your other financial goals.

2. Applying for bank loans

At some point you may want to apply for either a personal loan or a federally backed Small Business Administration (SBA) loan, available through many banks and credit unions. They’re the second biggest source of startup funding, according to Lendio. SBA loans offer lower down payments and longer amortization periods than traditional bank loans. This may lower a small business owner’s monthly payment and may also allow them to retain full ownership of their company.

To get a personal loan from a bank, you’ll usually need a sterling credit record as well as collateral, typically a real estate asset. SBA loans have broader eligibility requirements; businesses typically not approved for traditional loans can sometimes qualify, says Nathalie Molina Niño, author of Leapfrog: The New Revolution for Women Entrepreneurs and co-founder of financial services firm Known. However, you’ll likely still need to have collateral or a down payment, and the approval process can be slow. You’ll also need to start repaying the loan right away, which can be tricky if you’re just starting out.

Another potential source of affordable funding, not to be overlooked, is a community development financial institution (CDFI). Interest rates and fees on CDFI loans are generally comparable to bank loans, but their mission is to serve low-income or underserved people and communities. In addition to credit, CDFIs offer mentoring and useful financial advice. Bank of America, as one example, partners with CDFIs across the U.S. to connect women entrepreneurs to capital.

3. Accepting funding from friends and family

The third biggest source of initial startup money, according to Lendio, is friends and family members. These sorts of arrangements can work well, but they can sometimes come with strings attached. Be clear about how you might repay such generosity, and be sure to document in writing promises made. Jeni Britton, founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, recalls considering taking a $30,000 loan from family friends when she wanted to start her business. “We were told, ‘Don’t take money from anyone right now because if you do, they will own your company. Exhaust every other option first.’” So Britton applied for an SBA loan. Six months later, the loan was approved, and she opened her doors for business. Today, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams sells millions of pints each year.

4. Crowdfunding your business

While it’s a less common source of money, crowdfunding has its place in the mix. Virtual fundraising campaigns on popular crowdfunding sites and a few platforms explicitly for female entrepreneurs have become increasingly popular. Crowdfunding has a low barrier to entry and can help you spread the word about your business and build a customer base. While the amounts raised by traditional crowdfunding are relatively small — under $30,000⁴ for a successful campaign — a more regulated type of crowdfunding known as equity crowdfunding, which allows you to sell shares in your business, tends to raise larger amounts. Either way, you’ll need sharp promotional skills to draw attention to your business, and you’ll also pay fees, which differ depending on the platform you use.

5. Approaching VC firms

These firms, which invest in startups in exchange for equity or partial ownership, can offer a big influx of cash — and the means to quickly grow the business. But women, especially women of color, have historically received only a sliver of VC funding, notes Molina Niño, adding that VC firms tend to not get deeply involved in day-to-day operations yet aim for quick returns.

If you pursue VC funding, you’ll need a slick marketing presentation, or pitch deck, that includes detailed explanations for how and when your business will become profitable. One statistic that might be useful to note in your pitch: Women-owned startups overall have been shown to generate higher returns on the VC funding they receive compared with startups founded by men.⁵

Try approaching any of the dozen or more VC funds seeking to empower women entrepreneurs who have good ideas and strong business plans. One encouraging sign: According to the 2022 “All In: Female Founders in the U.S. VC Ecosystem” report from PitchBook, the number of women general partners in VC firms is rising — climbing from 12% in 2019 to 16.1% in 2022.⁶

Regardless of how you raise funds, it’s critical that your business plan is rock solid and articulates your goals, says Miller. “Make sure that you can explain how you’re going to serve your customer or solve a new issue and differentiate yourself,” she says. And don’t give up. “When you are an entrepreneur, you’re betting on yourself,” Miller adds. “Take your vision and make it a reality!”