/Preparing for Financing Updated on: March 31, 2017
You’re ready to start a business but are you ready to get a loan? Whether it’s startup capital or operating funds you need, it’s important to understand what investors and lenders are looking for. From online tools to confidential one-on-one business counselors, Charlotte has what you need to help you increase your chances for success.
Learn more about the loan sources available in Charlotte from the local resources below.
Carolina Small Business Development Fund provides financing solutions and guidance to help entrepreneurs like you achieve your goals. Whether you’re looking to start or expand your business, they offer loans that are designed to meet your needs. This means flexible terms and personalized assistance for all types of businesses in a wide range of industries. Learn more about loans and eligibility through Carolina Small Business Development Fund by visiting them at carolinasmallbusiness.org!
Through their relationships with banks and credit unions, the Women’s Business Center of North Carolina assists clients with access to capital and loan packaging. They also stay abreast of non-traditional funding sources and community loan programs to help these women-owned businesses get the financing they need. Visit them online to learn more!
When it comes to financing, sometimes it helps to speak to an expert. Charlotte SCORE provides free and confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Learn more about Certified SCORE Mentors, or to make an appointment, call (704)-344-6576.
If you’re unfamiliar with the steps of financing a business, the SBTDC offers an online training portal that includes a module on the potential funding options available for your business. Access this module and more here!
In addition to helping you develop a business plan with financial forecasts, the CPCC Small Business Center offers a variety of courses, seminars and workshops that cover everything from financing your small business to accounting with QuickBooks. Take a look at their current course offerings, and reserve your seat!
Starting
Find the resources and information you need to help you start your business. From assessing your readiness to be an entrepreneur to launching your business and everything in between, Charlotte has the resources to help you position your business for success.
Below, you’ll find several resources for starting your business. Click on each image to expand and learn more.
Contracting Services
Explore the resources on this page to learn about opportunities that may exist for you and your business. From contracting with local, state and federal governments to contracting with major corporations in the private sector, there are many opportunities to do business in the Charlotte region. Explore the resources below to learn about opportunities that may exist for you and your business.
Direct links to City of Charlotte Projects, Mecklenburg Country Projects and the North Carolina Interactive Purchasing System are all available on this page. You’ll also find the contracting resources organized into the following categories: Opportunities, Resources and Vendor Registration. Click on each image to expand their profiles and learn more.
Training and Development
Keeping current with today business trends is the keystone to sustainability. Luckily, Charlotte has a number of resources available to help you position your business for long-term success. Browse the topics and pages below to get familiar with the partners that will help you to grow yourself and grow your business.
Choose between the two categories below (Legal Assistance and Local Resources) to further refine your search and help navigate the growth of your business. And don’t forget to check out the Calendar of Events for upcoming training, networking and other local business events!
Site Selection
Find the resources you need to locate and set up your business. There are many factors you need to consider before you choose the location for your business. From zoning to demographics, the resources below will help you find where your business will be at home.
On this page, you’ll find resources organized in the following categories: Avoiding Mistakes, Market & Demographic Data, Real Estate Search and Zoning. Choose from one of these topics to refine your search and to find more information about choosing the perfect location.
High Growth Entrepreneurship
The resources on this page provide technical expertise, counseling and capital to support Charlotte’s high-growth entrepreneurial culture. The ability to develop and execute an idea into a scalable commercially-viable venture is the hallmark of an entrepreneur, and Charlotte has just the right ecosystem to support this vital role.
On this page, you’ll first notice local organizations that offer regional efforts and resources for high growth entrepreneurship. These include Charlotte Regional Fund for Entrepreneurship (CRFE), a report featuring a map of Charlotte’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and a report showcasing Charlotte’s strategy for high growth entrepreneurship.
Further down on the page, you’ll find even more resources for high growth entrepreneurship. Refine your search and find the resources you need by choosing from the following categories: Annual Events, Business Advisory & Incubation, Financial Resources and Training & Networking. From there, click on each image to expand and learn more about the local resources available to help your high-growth venture.
Exporting
On this page, you’ll find the resources you need for export assistance and financing. Exporting goods is a great way to expand your business and take part in the global economy. In fact, data has shown that companies that do business internationally grow faster and fail less often than companies that don’t.
The categories listed on this page include Export Assistance, Research & Statistics, Export Financing and Local Resources. To refine your search, select the category that best describes the help you need, and click on the images to expand and learn more about each resource.
Patents
The resources on this page will help you begin to understand everything you need to know about copyrights, patents and trademarks.
On this page, you’ll find various organizations and resources that can assist you with all of your patenting needs. Simply click on the images to expand and learn more about each.
Franchise
The resources on this page will give you insight into what you should consider before becoming a franchise owner. Want to back your business smarts with a brand name? Franchising might be right for you.
On this page, you’ll find a few of the best resources available in Charlotte to assist with all of your franchising needs. Click on each image to expand their profile and learn more.
Non-Profit Resources
Starting a non-profit? Non-profits are businesses, too Find everything you need to know about starting a non-profit and funding on this page. Charlotte offers a variety of resources that can help non-profits and social ventures alike be best positioned to reach their organizational goals.
This page is organized into the following three categories: Funding, Local Resources and Starting a Non-Profit. To refine your search, select the category that best describes your needs, and click on each image to learn more about the resources available to you.
Networking
On this page, check out the networking opportunities available through our partners, including business associations, contractor associations, and Chamber of Commerce events, as well as industry specific events. Networking is an essential skill for successful business people, and it will help you identify new revenue opportunities and potential strategic partnerships.
Not quite what you’re looking for? You can find more networking opportunities in the Charlotte Business Resources community; check out the Calendar of Events!
To refine your search, pick from one of the categories on this page, which include Business Associations, Chamber of Commerce, Contractor Opportunities and Industry Specific. From there, click on the images to learn more about each resource available to you.
Overcoming Obstacles
Find the resources you need for overcoming obstacles, from confidential and expert one-on-one business advising to human resource assistance and more. Business obstacles are inevitable and can take many forms.
Choose from the categories to refine your search and find the resources you need.
Traning and Development
On this page, you’ll find the training and development resources you need, including those for legal assistance. Charlotte has a number of resources available to help you position your business for long-term success.
The filterable topics on this page include Human Resources, One-On-One Business Advising and Online Resources. Click on the topic that best meets your needs, and explore the local resources available to your business.
Workforce
Find the employment and training services your business needs on this page, including services for financing, training and your workforce.
The topics featured on this page include Financial Incentives, Training Programs, Workforce Data and Workforce Services. To refine your search, click on the topic that best describes what you’re looking for. From there, take a moment to check out the resources available to you; be sure to click on their images to expand the profiles and learn more.
Environmental Sustainability
Going green can give your company a competitive advantage, improve your business efficiency and potentially lower operating costs. Explore the resources featured on this page to find everything you need to know about promoting environmental sustainability at work.
The topics featured on this page include Financial Programs & Incentives, Local Initiatives and Tools to Green Your Business. To refine your search, click on the topic that best describes your needs, and take a moment to browse the resources available to you. Click on the images of the resources that interest you to expand their profiles and learn more.
Exporting
On this page, you’ll find the resources you need for export assistance and financing. Exporting goods is a great way to expand your business and take part in the global economy. In fact, data has shown that companies that do business internationally grow faster and fail less often than companies that don’t.
The categories listed on this page include Export Assistance, Research & Statistics, Export Financing and Local Resources. To refine your search, select the category that best describes the help you need, and click on the images to expand and learn more about each resource.
Patents
The resources on this page will help you begin to understand everything you need to know about copyrights, patents and trademarks.
On this page, you’ll find various organizations and resources that can assist you with all of your patenting needs. Simply click on the images to expand and learn more about each.
Transitioning Ownership
Finding what you need when exiting your business is just as important as finding what you needed when you started. The resources on this page can guide you through the execution of your exit strategy.
The topics featured on this page include Legal Assistance, Local Resources and Resources on the Web. Click on the topic that best meets your needs, and discover all of the resources available to you. To learn more about each resource, be sure to click on each image to expand their profiles.
Networking
On this page, check out the networking opportunities available through our partners, including business associations, contractor associations, and Chamber of Commerce events, as well as industry specific events. Networking is an essential skill for successful business people, and it will help you identify new revenue opportunities and potential strategic partnerships.
Not quite what you’re looking for? You can find more networking opportunities in the Charlotte Business Resources community; check out the Calendar of Events!
To refine your search, pick from one of the categories on this page, which include Business Associations, Chamber of Commerce, Contractor Opportunities and Industry Specific. From there, click on the images to learn more about each resource available to you.
Certifications
Access the most valuable certification resources for your business on this page. Being certified in your trade can give you an unparalleled advantage when being considered for contracting opportunities. Don’t let your lack of certifications hinder your business growth.
If you’re looking for increased opportunities to do business with local, state and federal government; as well as, with major corporations, you should explore becoming certified by each applicable agency.
The resources on this page are organized into the two following categories: Government and Private Sector. Click on the category that best fits your needs, and click on each image to learn more.
Bonding
Find the resources you need that can help with your business bonding needs. On this page, you’ll find access to bond programs, as well as the resources you need to prepare for a bond. It is not uncommon for businesses, and particularly those in the construction field, to need some form of surety bond in order to receive government and other contracts.
The resources on this page are organized into two categories: Bond Programs and Preparing for a Bond. Click on the category that best fits your needs, and click on each image to learn more.
Bidding
The bidding resources on this page will help you understand the bidding process and put you on a path to throwing a compliant, competitive hat into any ring. Bidding on contracts can be an overwhelming process, so it’s best to be informed and do your research.
For more information on the local tools available to you, click on the topics on this page to expand their profiles and learn more.
