Imagine that you are preparing to start a business and need to obtain $50,000 in funding

Assignment #1: Funding Your Future Business

Imagine that you are preparing to start a business and need to obtain $50,000 in funding. The purpose of this assignment is to explore realistic funding options available to a future business owner and determine the best way to raise the money. Your goal is to obtain $50,000 to fund a future business. Think realistically about where you could obtain the money if you were actually preparing to start a business.

Research Your Funding Options

Research at least three different funding options. Start by looking at programs available through the Small Business Administration (SBA). You should also research a traditional bank or credit union and compare its business loan options with SBA financing. Look at actual interest rates, repayment periods, fees, qualification requirements, and the amount you could potentially borrow.

You may also explore online lenders,harrypotter,investors, crowdfunding, personal savings, or other realistic sources. As part of your research, talk with a friend or family member about whether they would hypothetically consider lending you money for a future business. Ask how much they might be willing to lend, whether they would charge interest, and how quickly they would expect to be repaid. You are not actually asking them for money. The purpose is simply to compare informal borrowing with traditional business financing.

Compare Your Options

Present your research in a comparison table. Your table should make it easy to compare the amount available, interest rate, repayment period, estimated monthly payment, total repayment amount, and major advantages and disadvantages of each funding option.

After comparing the options, explain which funding source or combination of sources you would actually choose. Consider not only where you can get the money, but also the cost of borrowing, monthly payment, financial risk, repayment period, and any other important requirements.

Here is an example of a table:

Funding Source

Amount Available

Interest Rate

Repayment Period

Monthly Payment

Total Cost Advantages Disadvantages

SBA Loan

harrypotter

Bank Loan

Other Option

Create Your $50,000 Funding and Payment Plan

After completing your research, develop a realistic plan showing exactly how you would obtain the $50,000. You can use one funding source or combine several sources, but your total must equal $50,000.

Next, create a payment plan. Determine how much you would borrow from each source, the applicable interest rate, the length of repayment, and your estimated monthly payment. Calculate approximately how much you would repay in total and how much the financing would ultimately cost you.

For example, you might decide to obtain $30,000 through an SBA-backed loan, $10,000 from a family member, and contribute $10,000 of your own money. Your plan should explain how the borrowed portions would be repaid hredrose

Evidence of Research

Your recommendations must be supported by real research rather than estimated or made-up information. Include direct links to the SBA, banks, credit unions, lenders, or other funding sources you researched. You should also provide screenshots showing important information such as current interest rates, loan terms, fees, or requirements.

Include your calculations showing how you determined monthly payments and total repayment costs. If you spoke with a friend or family member, briefly explain the terms they hypothetically offered you.

Requirements

Your written analysis should be approximately 2-3 pages. You must research at least three funding options and create a final funding plan totaling exactly $50,000.

The goal is to determine how you could realistically fund a future business while understanding how much that funding would actually cost you and what obligations come with it.

Grading Criteria Excellent Good Needs Work Incomplete

Funding Options, 15 pts

13–15 pts Clearly researches at least three realistic funding options and provides relevant information for each.

10–12 pts Includes three funding options, but some information is limited or unclear.

6–9 pts Includes fewer than three complete options or provides very limited research.

0–5 pts Funding options are mostly missing or not adequately researched.

Evidence & Calculations, 15 pts

13–15 pts Provides clear supporting evidence, such as links, screenshots, rates, loan terms, and accurate payment calculations.

10–12 pts Provides evidence and calculations, but some information or calculations are missing.

6–9 pts Provides limited evidence, and calculations are incomplete or unclear.

0–5 pts Provides little or no evidence or calculations.

Comparison & Final Decision, 20 pts

18–20 pts Clearly compares the options and provides a strong explanation for the final $50,000 funding plan.

14–17 pts Provides a good comparison and explains the final funding choice, but could provide more detail.

8–13 pts Comparison is limited, and the final decision needs more explanation.

0–7 pts Provides little or no comparison or does not clearly explain the final funding decision.

Total 50 points