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1. Assess the financial needs of your startup business.
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2. Calculate the financial resources you personally can contribute.
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3. Prepare financial statements.
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4. Contact professional resources who can serve as references.
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5. Consider bringing in a partner with complementary talents and money to invest.
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6. Work out barter arrangements, if possible, with any suppliers.
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7. Consider what possible collateral might be possible for a loan, including unpaid accounts payable.
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8. Look for any business incubators in your area which might be interested in investing in your business.
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9. Investigate strategic partnering opportunities where a successful firm in a complementary business would be interested in investing in a startup that would be a business partner.
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10. Apply for guaranteed loan through the Small Business Administration.
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11. Cost cut every way possible, except on the quality of your product.
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12. Ask friends and family to invest, giving them a written agreement on repayment.

1. Almost anyone lending money will want to know how much you have contributed. They don't want to take a risk on you if you aren't willing to risk your own money.
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2. Learn the business terminology of the financial world. Not only does it help with understanding your options, but it impresses lenders.
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3. The Small Business Administration has a large variety of financing options for startups available.