Funding Options
The Bradley Technology Commercialization Center (BTCC) primarily works with pre-seed and seed stage companies. Even at this stage of development, BTCC clients most frequently request assistance with two primary funding sources: institutional venture capital funds and angel investors (high net worth private investors). The next three most sought after sources of capital include corporate partners, banks (loans), and government funding.
However, a majority of very early stage companies must look for alternative forms of financing. For example, a Chicago based seed / early stage venture capital firm may review 3000 business plans or more in a year but only fund 10 companies in a good year. Therefore, BTCC works with clients companies and entrepreneurs to develop a financing strategy that fits the stage of the company and the market opportunity.
Some other more likely forms of entrepreneurial financing include, but are not limited to:
- Personal Savings
- Friends & Family
- Home Equity Loans Sales
- Loans from Employees or Partners
- Staged Product Development Payments
- Sweat Equity
- Contract R&D
- Loans on Life Insurance
- Consulting Contracts
- Personal Credit Cards
Access to Angel/Venture Financing
Bradley University BTCC has made a conscious effort to establish personal relationships with a variety of sources of private equity. This formal network includes individuals of high net worth (angels), angel organizations, investor forums and venture capital firms. Funding options are evaluated and matched by classification of technology and stage of financing required. The BTCC assists clients with angel preparedness and presentation development and delivery.
Grant Funding Programs
Several sources of state, federal and private grant funds are available to entrepreneurs and early stage companies. The BTCC staff has attended several grant workshops and will help search for and identify the appropriate grant matches. Once identified, BTCC can assist by providing access to grant writing resources and reviewing the grant application for required content and format.
The Funding Resources page provides access to several funding related organizations.