Black Women in Business· column
Demystifying the Capital Stack
Beyond the pitch: Understanding equity, debt, and grants.

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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