Funding options for each stage

Bootstrapping – Use personal savings, credit cards, or revenue from freelance work to fund initial concept development, market research, and prototype creation.
Friends and Family – Seek financial support from close contacts who believe in your idea and are willing to provide early-stage capital with minimal formalities.
Grants and Contests – Apply for grants, pitch competitions, and startup challenges offered by government agencies, universities, or private organizations focused on supporting innovation and entrepreneurship.

Angel investors – Approach angel investors who specialize in providing capital to early-stage start-ups in exchange for equity. Angels can offer not only funding but also mentorship and valuable industry connections.
Crowdfunding – Launch a crowdfunding campaign on platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo to raise seed capital from a large number of individual backers in exchange for pre-sales, rewards, or equity.
Accelerators and Incubators – Apply to accelerator or incubator programs that provide seed funding, mentorship, and resources in exchange for equity. These programs can help refine your business model, validate your market, and prepare for further funding.

Venture Capital (VC) – Seek investment from venture capital firms specializing in early-stage funding. VCs provide larger sums of capital in exchange for significant equity stakes and typically look for high-growth potential and scalability.
Seed funds – Explore seed-stage venture funds or micro-VCs that focus on providing capital to promising start-ups in the early stages of development. These funds may offer smaller investments compared to traditional VCs but can be more accessible to early-stage entrepreneurs.
Government grants and programs – Take advantage of government grants, loans, or incentive programs targeted at early-stage businesses, especially in technology, innovation, or social impact sectors.

Series A funding – Secure funding from venture capital firms specializing in Series A investments, which provide larger capital infusions to fuel growth and scale operations. Series A investors look for proven traction, market validation, and a clear path to profitability.
Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) – Partner with corporate venture arms of established companies seeking strategic investments in innovative start-ups. CVCs can provide not only capital but also access to distribution channels, resources, and potential partnership opportunities.
Debt Financing – Consider debt financing options such as bank loans, lines of credit, or venture debt to supplement equity funding and support expansion plans without diluting ownership. Debt financing can be less dilutive but requires careful management of repayment obligations.