Washington D.C. Coalition for Capital

Capital Sources

FRIENDS & FAMILY

Your friends and family know you best and are likely to trust you and your business plan the most. Sourcing your initial capital from friends and family should be treated similar to a loan from a bank. The loan terms should be articulated in a written document, and repayment of the principal and interest should occur regularly.

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U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

The SBA administers programs that guarantee against default of business loans made by banks. Businesses do not need to be credit risks in order to qualify for these helpful programs. SBA programs may be accessed through many District banks.

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DC Department of Small & Local Business Development Micro Loan Fund

The DC Certified Business Enterprise Revolving Micro Loan Fund is a financing tool designed to sustain and/or increase the level of business activity, job creation and retention, and provide access to capital for the sustainability and expansion of small businesses, with emphasis on assisting small resident owned and disadvantaged businesses, as certified by the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)

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BANKS

Banks offer a great variety of lending programs to small and emerging businesses. To learn more about the programs offered by local banks, contact your bank and ask to speak with its small business loan officer.


ANGEL INVESTORS

Angel investors are individuals or small groups of individuals who make investments in small and emerging businesses in exchange for a portion of the ownership equity.

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VENTURE CAPITAL

Venture capital is provided by firms that make investments in small and emerging businesses in exchange for a portion of the ownership equity and often provide managerial expertise and direction.

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CERTIFIED CAPITAL COMPANIES IN D.C. (CAPCO)

Through the D.C. Certified Capital Company (CAPCO) program, insurance companies receive a D.C. tax credit against their premium taxes in exchange for making $50 million available in long-term equity (and debt) for new or expanding small businesses based in the District. The funds are managed by professional venture capitalists and stimulate the creation of high-wage jobs, as well as provide an incentive to retain, expand and attract business to D.C.

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SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PROGRAM

SBIR encourages small business to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. SBIR targets the entrepreneurial sector because that is where most innovation and innovators thrive. However, the risk and expense of conducting serious R&D efforts are often beyond the means of many small businesses. By reserving a specific percentage of federal R&D funds for small business, SBIR protects the small business and enables it to compete on the same level as larger businesses. SBIR funds the startup and development stages and it encourages the commercialization of the technology, product, or service, which, in turn, stimulates the U.S. economy. Since its enactment in 1982, as part of the Small Business Innovation Development Act, SBIR has helped thousands of small businesses to compete for federal research and development awards.


OTHER RESOURCES