Alternative Fundraising Strategies 

Bootstrapping is essentially self-funding your business. This approach involves using personal savings, or revenue generated by the business, to finance growth. The advantage of bootstrapping is that it allows founders to maintain complete control over their business. However, it can limit the speed of growth and may not be feasible for businesses with significant upfront costs.

Be extremely careful if you are a sole trader and/or you provide personal capital and assets, such as your house, as security on loans. They are at risk if your business fails and you cannot afford to repay the debt.

Revenue-based financing (RBF) is a way to raise capital where investors provide funds in exchange for a percentage of the business's ongoing gross revenues, almost like an advance. 

The key benefit is that repayments are directly tied to revenue, making it a flexible option for businesses with fluctuating income. This method also avoids equity dilution and doesn’t require collateral like traditional loans.

Forming strategic partnerships with other businesses or industry players can be a smart way to access funding or resources. This could involve collaborations, joint ventures, or partnerships where both parties benefit from the success of the enterprise. This approach not only brings in resources but also can open doors to new markets and customers. 

However, be careful to ensure all parties are clear on the commercial objectives of the enterprise, and routes to exit and/or dispute resolution. Unfortunately, the course of business doesn’t always run smoothly so its good practice to give consideration to how to handle disagreements and separation options in the cool light of day.

Governments often offer grants, incentives, or subsidies to support businesses, particularly those in innovative fields or contributing to economic growth. These grants are typically non-repayable, making them an attractive option. However, they can be competitive and often have specific criteria that must be met.

Crowdfunding, or peer-to-peer lending, involves borrowing money from a pool of individual investors instead of a traditional lender. This can be a quicker way to secure funding, often with less stringent requirements than bank loans. The terms can vary widely, so it’s important to understand the rates and conditions involved.