Black Women in Business· column

Demystifying the Capital Stack

Beyond the pitch: Understanding equity, debt, and grants.

Demystifying the Capital Stack

Know Your Options

Access to capital is the biggest hurdle for Black women entrepreneurs. Understanding the difference between non-dilutive funding and equity is critical for your long-term success.

Building the Stack

  • Non-Dilutive Capital: Prioritize grants and competitions that don't take a piece of your company.
  • Debt Financing: Use low-interest loans to leverage growth without sacrificing ownership.
  • Venture Capital: Only pursue this if you are ready for the pressure of rapid scaling and external oversight.

Actionable Takeaways

  • Build a 12-month runway map before seeking new funding.
  • Connect with networks like 'Black Founders Fund' for specialized resources.
  • Prepare a clean data room before opening your series A.

Topics

finance
funding
entrepreneurship

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