Many people often think they have a solid business idea. They hone this idea even further and develop it into a working business plan. But one crucial thing is missing: the capital. In whatever industry, capital is critical, as an entrepreneur will never get anything off the ground without it.

And no matter how resourceful entrepreneurs are, they might feel like they’re at a loss on where to get capital. Here are a few ideas to help budding entrepreneurs acquire seed money for their business.

Apply for a Grant

Grants are less criticized than bank loans, and they’re an excellent alternative to borrowing. While entrepreneurs can’t expect a considerable check from the government or private institution, plenty of funding is available from the national and provincial governments and private organizations. This is an effort to help the economy and job market growth, so it’s worth looking at grants for your funding options. Receiving a grant can help mitigate expenses or even be used to invest further in your business. Needless to say, due to their very nature, it can be pretty challenging to get a grant. However, should your business be eligible for a grant, it’s best to take advantage of the opportunity.

Look into Crowdfunding

When people joke that there’s an app for everything, there’s still truth behind it. Digital banking and financial technology have grown considerably, and it has innovated a concept called “crowdfunding.” This method essentially asks for donations from interested parties to fuel a cause or a drive. Entrepreneurs have taken advantage of this feature to enable them to acquire capital for their business ideas. Crowdfunding platforms like Gofundme and its competitors have been popular in recent times. They give entrepreneurs the ability to make a “pitch” to a general audience and get backing from those who like their concepts.

Ask Help from Friends and Family

This might come as a surprise, but asking your family and friends for assistance in your business is still a valid method of acquiring capital. Talking to your closest peers and relatives should be among the first attempts you should be making, as these people know you best and have an estimation of what your skills and abilities are. This is also an opportunity to express support for your ideas and plans, and if your business plan is good enough, they might not fund your entire capital, but they might give you a considerable boost. It doesn’t hurt to ask friends and family either, as the worst thing that can happen is them saying no.

Find an Investor

Many entrepreneurs are looking for that dream investor to appear one day, ready to fund their entrepreneurial dreams. However, it’s not good to keep dreaming- instead, make it happen. Look for individuals with relatively high net-worth or who have considerable amounts of disposable cash. It helps if they already have a history of helping start-up companies, but regardless, finding one willing to fund your business plan is simply a matter of looking. You have to bring your business pitch with you too, and know the ins and outs of your strategy, along with having a persuasive presentation to sway the investor to your side.

Use Your Funds

If you have a hefty amount of disposable income that you’re looking to put into something that will grow it, then an entrepreneurial effort might just be that. The best thing when you’re utilizing your funds is that you’ll be gaining control over most, if not all, of the business you’re establishing. You won’t have to answer to anyone else, and you’ll be essentially marching to your beat. Many start-up companies are like this, using their own money to bootstrap their business essentially. Almost 90 percent of newly established businesses are like this, and most business owners commit their time and effort to their projects.

Apply for a Business Loan

Needless to say, the tried-and-tested method of going to a bank and applying for a loan is still a powerful, effective way to gather capital. You can also look for government-supported small business loans in your area. The benefit of this method is that you still retain general control over your business and will have a large amount to work with. However, you need to earn back the borrowed money, or else it will affect you negatively. That said, make sure to check interest rates and flexible schemes that work in your favor.

Finding capital for a business idea is always one of the most difficult challenges any entrepreneur faces. But once you overcome this hurdle, it’s relatively easy to get things going.