Capital Team

The NJSBDC Network is supported by funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), host universities, and other funders – allowing us to provide expert business consulting at no charge, which includes NJSBDC Capital Team business consulting. However, nominal fees may apply for training programs

The NJSBDC Capital Team business consultants assist small business owners in  securing much-needed funding for their business. In addition to informing small business owners about the opportunities available to their businesses, the experts also guide them through different application processes and organize one-on-one meetings between clients and a network of institutional and private/accredited investors.

The NJSBDC Capital Team helps businesses following the six (6) steps below:

STEP #1: REQUEST BUSINESS CONSULTING TO BECOME AN NJSBDC CLIENT

You must at least have a business plan draft or an executive summary to start working towards funding your existing business. If you need help creating a business plan, consider attending one of our Regional Center’s ‘Business Planning’ workshops. Once you have your business plan or executive summary, you will be ready to receive business advising from the Team. For the NJSBDC Capital Team, we ask that your business have at least two years of tax returns on file.

STEP #2: BUSINESS ASSESSMENT

You will be assigned an NJSBDC Capital Team expert business consultant. In the initial meeting with your consultant, you will discuss your funding goals and your company’s strength and weaknesses.

STEP #3: FINANCE STRATEGY

Based on the initial assessment, your assigned consultant will determine eligibility, identify sources of capital that may be a good fit, and will work with you to assess your options.

STEP #4: LOAN PACKAGING

The most intensive part of accessing capital is preparing your loan package or pitch. This process includes compiling financial data and creating a strong case for why your business will succeed. Your business consultant will work with you every step of the way to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward.

STEP #5: FUNDER RELATIONS

Your consultant can help make warm introductions to funders and help prepare you for your meetings with potential funders to ensure you make the best first impression.

Please Note: While we have strong relationships with funders, it does not guarantee that you will receive funding.

STEP #6: POST-LOAN

After you receive funding, you don’t need to stop working with the NJSBDC. Your regional NJSBDC center will be a valuable asset in providing your business with the continued support to ensure success. Your NJSBDC Capital Team business consultant will be available to you if you have additional funding goals and will remain in contact with your regional NJSBDC center, working together to ensure all areas in your business’s success is covered.

Yes, counseling with the NJSBDC Capital Team is just a bit different from general counseling. The NJSBDC’s Capital Team focuses on financial sources, understanding the newest guidelines regarding the business community, and helping you increase efficiency during the application process to streamline, and in some cases expedite the funding process.

If you are looking to acquire funds for two separate businesses, you can submit two individual requests for counseling per business.

Yes. All NJSBDC consultants agree to abide by the NJSBDC’s Standards of Professional Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy. The information you provide will be 

held in the strictest confidence and will not be released to any parties outside of the NJSBDC network without your signed consent. Your information will not be sold or provided to other organizations. Specific information regarding you and the nature of your engagement with the NJSBDC will also not be released without your consent.

We are not familiar with any legitimate grants to help start businesses.  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) does NOT provide grants for starting and expanding a business.

Government grants are funded by your tax dollars and, therefore, require very stringent compliance and reporting measures to ensure that the money is well spent. As you can imagine, grants are not given away indiscriminately. 

The grant authority varies widely among agencies. The SBA has the authority to make grants available to non-profit and educational organizations in many of its consulting and training programs but does not have the authority to make grants available to small businesses directly. The announcements for the consulting and training grants will appear on grants.gov.

Every loan has its unique conditions that determine its eligibility; however, most loans are focused on the following areas that are used in determining risk: cash, collateral, credit score, conditions, and character.

To speak to a consultant regarding this topic, go to ttps://njsbdc.com/counseling/request-counseling/.

Although each loan scenario is different, most SBA loan programs will require the following documentation: 

• Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506T) for the applicant, principals, and affiliates;
• Complete copies of the most recent Federal Income Tax Return
• Schedule of Liabilities (SBA Form 2202);
• Personal Financial Statement (SBA Form 413);
• Profit and loss statements;
• Monthly cash-flow projections based on obtaining the loan;
• Monthly sales figures (SBA Form 1368);
• If you are a sole proprietor, you may need to include SBA Form 5C;
• A thorough business plan;
• Specific details on how the loan would be used;
• Company management profile & outlook.