20 June, 2011

BUSINESS IS NO CHARITY - SO IS PROJECT FINANCE!

Thinking of doing a business and ‘Project Finance’

Many people at one time or another have a project that they want to turn into a reality in mind. It important that should you decides to go ahead with your intended venture, that you have a solid strategy of how to carry it out.

Even with a great idea and organization in place, the most essential bit of the project always lies in the funding. Project finance has been used to fund large scale ventures. It is advisable that you understand the basis and aspects of this type of funding.

What you need to understand?

You need to understand how to prepare a financial plan, assess the risks involved, and raise the money. It is also vital to assess analysis of why some plans have succeeded while others have not. Without proper funding, it is hard to get something off the ground.

There are many sources of financing available if you just take the time to look and do proper research. It is also advisable that you create time to gather accurate information on your project especially if it is new. This will tell you if your idea is viable and whether it will appeal to your target market.

What is Project Finance?

Project finance is funding that is used for a particular project like railways, power stations, hospitals, etc which is then reimbursed from the cash flow of the project.

It works differently from other forms of finance because the lender looks at the assets, the security and the revenue of the venture in order to service the loan. The risk associated with borrower is not important as compared to an ordinary loan transaction.

The vital elements with this type of funding are:

  • Identification,
  • Analysis,
  • Allocation and
  • Management of every risk associated with the project.
As you go along with your project it is important that you continually review your progress.

How can you obtain Project Financing?

Every business starter complains about the lack of project financing in order to implement their creative ideas. The problems are generally not the lack of brilliant concepts to start a business but often finding someone that believes in your ideas as much as you do, and enough to give you the necessary project funding.

It all begins with your ability to negotiate and to present your project in an impressive way to your potential investors and then to your clients once the project has been implemented.

There are people looking for viable project financing. The key is figuring out how to present in way that will get the investors eager to believe in it. Two important things: your idea needs to be original, and you have to know how to present it.

If you do not know how much you need, it will be hard to find Project Financing:

  • Project Financing is a matter of numbers.
  • You need to be able to concretely say what you will need in order to set up your business and manufacture your product.
  • Think about what your needs will be and put a name and number to what you will need to buy.
  • Think about every detail. Will you need to patent you idea? Will you need to acquire a license? What do you think your cash flow will be?

You can use your funds or get project funding from family or friends. If you do this, explain every item in your projections to your investors.

Borrowing for Project Funding:

You can use your own money and property to use as collateral to get a loan from a financial institution.

You may as well be able to attract the attention of venture capitalists. There are many available options, try to think big but be realistic about what you need and what you can afford.

Put together a presentation for your investors:

Most funder(s) will ask to see a Business Plan that includes a summary of your academic and professional background, your financial history and other specific documents that will create a strong profile.

Conclusion

In your Business Plan/ Business Proposal, you will give relevant information regarding the nature of the business you will start, the target market, the customers, the current and future competitors, the market you are positioned in, and the strategy you intend to use to achieve your goals.

Always include your financial statement for the first 3 to 5 years and your implementation plans.

Thank you.

1 comment:

  1. Nice Sharing ! Now it not difficult to start the business from scratch. You need only one thing for start-up business is the right financial planning. Selective Financial Services provides the project funding according to the client's requirements. We analyze the client’s situation, structures and opens ways to raise capital and provides solutions to your financial requirements. We put all our intellectual capital and financial expertise to work for you!

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