City of Delaware Economic Development Department

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START A BUSINESS

STEP 1 - What's your dream?
STEP 2 - Plan your dream.
STEP 3 - Fund your dream.
STEP 4 - Locate your dream.

Visit the Delaware Entrepreneurial Center at Ohio Wesleyan University for services, training, access to student workers and project teams and low-cost offices and co-working space.

BUSINESS MENTORS

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This link will open an email to our team. Please include the type of business you are wanting to start and your primary contact information. We will contact you to set up a meeting.

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Fund your dream.

It's time for capital!

Now that you know what you are going to do, how you are going to do it and have a plan that explains all of that, it is time to start thinking about how you will fund your new business.

Capital access can be one of the more challenging processes when an entrepreneur starts a new business or is even in the process of growing one.

So, what are your options:

City of Delaware and ECDI | Delaware Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) - The RLF program is a partnership between the City of Delaware and the Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI). Loans of up to $25,000 funded by only City monies are capped at 3% interest. Loans can go up to $350,000 with a blended interest rate.

ECDI also is an expert is assisting and lending to low- and moderate- income, and other disadvantaged people including minority business owners.
Traditional Local and Regional Banks - The City of Delaware and Delaware County have a wealth of small and large banks and each has a different approach to small business lending. We encourage entrepreneurs to start with these to see what can be done before seeking other sources of funding. In fact, some other sources even require you to have been turned down for lending by a traditional lender. We can assist you in making contacts and scheduling appointments.
Credit Unions - Credit unions also are starting small business lending programs. We can put you in contact with those that we know are doing this right now. Generally, these are an alternative to a traditional bank, but because they are member owned, they have different approaches to lending.
Not-for-Profit Lenders - In Central Ohio, we have three primary non-profit lenders that can either be packaged with a traditional bank loan or may lend to you if the banks won't.

Bad Girl Ventures (BGV) - "Bad Girl Ventures (BGV) is an educational and micro-finance, non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting female entrepreneurs in key areas of their business. BGV enables bold women to start and sustain well-managed and profitable businesses through our business education classes, guidance from mentors and coaches, and access to debt capital."

Community Capital Development Corporation (CCDC) - "Certified by the Small Business Administration, CCDC links borrowers with the best lending resources. This helps give small businesses the advantage in today’s highly competitive marketplace."

Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) - "ECDI, a statewide SBA lender, started in Columbus in 2004 before expanding to Cleveland in July 2012, Toledo in May 2013, and Akron in November 2014. ECDI’s loans range from $500 to $350,000 and shows a large variety in their clients and the uses for the loans. Equipment-based loans are currently very popular, but others use the funds for entrepreneurial ventures and other operating costs."

INCREASE Community Development Corp. - "INCREASE Community Development Corporation offers quality business and economic development assistance and education to small businesses and entrepreneurs. We provide individualized low cost consulting and low cost training programming to existing and new businesses."

Ohio Statewide Development Corporation (OSDC) - "The Ohio Statewide Development Corporation (OSDC) is a private, not-for-profit corporation founded in 1982 to provide financing to Ohio small businesses by acting as an agent or conduit for public financing programs. OSDC is a certified development company (CDC) licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide low-cost, long-term SBA loans to eligible small businesses in Ohio. OSDC is also an Ohio 166 Regional Loan provider as designated by the Ohio Department of Development."
Angel Funds and Venture Capital - Angel funds are groups of investors who will combine financial resources to either invest in a business individually or individually. Think Shark Tank. These usually require some equity in the company and/or a quick return on investment.

Venture Capital is a type of equity financing where the investors provide money in exchange for equity in the company and manage that equity through active participation in the company. These can be longer term investments than angel funds or even traditional banks and are not considered debt because they are equity capital.

Cental Ohio is host to multiple Angel and Venture Capital groups. We can assist in making contact with these if they are right for your funding model.
Crowdfunding - Crowdfunding is a great new way to look at raising capital for your business. However, there are many different crowdfunding platforms and each has its own intricacies with how it works such as minimum levels, required fees, etc. It also is important to note that generally, an entrepreneur is required to make a commitment to the investors such as a product when it is available, etc. We can connect you with a crowdfunding expert to walk you through these questions.

Understanding Crowdfunding and Emerging Trends - Forbes

We or one of our Small Business Mentors also can be of valuable assistance in helping you to decide on and seek a funding model that works for your business. Let us match you to a mentor today!

City of Delaware · COhatch, 18 East William Street · Delaware, Ohio 43015 · 740.203.1016 · opportunity@delawareohio.net