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ENTREPRENEURIAL FINANCE GUIDED INSTRUCTION PROGRAM

WEEK 4 | FINANCING STRATEGIES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Learn how to evaluate financing options and determine the best way to fund your business.

THIS WEEK’S FOCUS

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This week focuses on how entrepreneurs obtain the capital needed to start, operate, or grow a business. You will explore bootstrapping and other financing alternatives, compare debt and equity financing, and evaluate the financial and ownership tradeoffs associated with different funding decisions.

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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By the end of Week 4, you will be able to:

  • Describe the advantages and disadvantages of bootstrapping to start a business.

  • Compare and contrast debt versus equity financing to raise money.

  • Negotiate terms of business funding from the perspective of both an investor and an entrepreneur.

WEEK 4 | COURSE ACTIVITIES

Complete the assigned Week 4 activities in your Intuit for Education classroom.

ACTIVITY 1​

Financing Strategies for Small Businesses​

Explore bootstrapping and other ways entrepreneurs can obtain the resources needed to start or grow a business.

ACTIVITY 2​

What’s Right for This Business?

Evaluate business financing scenarios and determine which funding approach may be appropriate based on the circumstances of the business.

ACTIVITY 3​

Choose an Idea to Invest In

Consider business funding from both the entrepreneur and investor perspectives and evaluate the tradeoffs involved when negotiating an investment.

WEEK 4 | LIVE GUIDED INSTRUCTION​

Live Guided Instruction​

Apply financing concepts to your own business and evaluate how bootstrapping, debt, equity, crowdfunding, or a combination of funding sources could affect cash flow, ownership, control, and financial risk.

LIVE SESSION​

Week 4 Live Guided Instruction​

Friday, October 23, 2026 | 7:00 PM ET
Live via Zoom

WEEK 4 | GUIDED INSTRUCTION MATERIALS​​

Access supplemental resources designed to help you evaluate financing alternatives and make a reasoned funding decision for your business.

Week 4 Guided Instruction Packet

Compare bootstrapping, debt, equity, crowdfunding, and combination financing strategies while considering affordability, cash-flow obligations, ownership, control, and financial risk.

 

Complete your My Financing Strategy portfolio activity and determine: How should I fund it?

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