Capital for Your Business

Unlock Your Business Potential with Capital for your Business in Camarillo

Starting and growing a business requires access to capital. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an established Camarillo business owner, securing the right funding can make all the difference in turning your vision into reality. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top ways to find capital for your business here in Camarillo, California.

Personal Savings and Investments

The most obvious source of funding for a new business is your own personal savings and investments. Also known as bootstrapping, drawing a small amount of capital from your own financial resources demonstrates commitment and can make you a more attractive candidate for other funding options. Camarillo offers a high quality of life with an affordable cost of living, which can make it easier to grow your personal savings to invest in your business venture.

Friends and Family

Don't overlook the potential support of your inner circle. Borrowing money from friends and family can be a great way to get your business off the ground, especially if traditional lenders are hesitant to take a chance on a new startup. This kind of funding can affect your personal relationships if they lose their investment—though if you succeed, it could strengthen your bond.

Business Incentives

California consistently creates more business and economic opportunity than any other region in the world. If your business is considering expanding or relocating to California, the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) provides no-cost, confidential services for incentive and grant navigation. Their team of business consultants will guide you through the available tax credits, grants, and financing assistance options that are available to your business. View their California Business Investment Guide for several opportunities.

Small Business Loans

Small business loans can be a reliable source of capital for Camarillo entrepreneurs. Loans can be secured from many sources, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders, including loans backed by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Camarillo businesses are also eligible for the City of Camarillo Business Assistance Loan Fund. This program is a partnership between the City of Camarillo and the Economic Development Collaborative. Loans funded from this program may be used for a variety of business startup activities. The Capital for your Business in Camarillo can include equipment and inventory purchases, hiring, and business recovery after disruption. Loans from $10,000 to $100,000 are available at a 4.25% interest rate.

Angel Investors and Venture Capital

For businesses with high-growth potential, angel investors and venture capitalists can provide substantial funding. In exchange for equity in your company, angel investors can provide significant startup capital to assist with costs. Camarillo's proximity to the thriving entrepreneurial hubs of Los Angeles and Silicon Valley makes the city an appealing destination for these types of investors seeking promising startups. The city's talented workforce and culture of innovation make it a natural fit for this type of financing.

Based in Southern California, TCA Venture Group (formerly known as Tech Coast Angels) is one of the top five angel investment groups in the United States. Since their inception in 1997, TCA has invested over $244 million dollars in 544 companies, most based in California. With more than 425 members and three angel funds, TCA can fund and help start-ups at the seed, bridge, and early A-round.

Powered by the Banc of California, The SoCal Venture Pipeline matches Southern California-based startups that are raising institutional funding with venture capital investors. Its goal is to provide access to its nationwide network of capital providers, all at no cost, helping startups go from seed to success.

The Santa Barbara Angel Alliance (SBAA) offers funding and expertise to support early-stage companies. Its members, experienced professionals from various industries, meet monthly to assess potential investments, conduct due diligence, and invest individually. SBAA also leverages its network to help startups improve their success rates by connecting them to additional resources and guiding them through subsequent fundraising stages.

Crowdfunding

Online crowdfunding platforms have revolutionized the way entrepreneurs can raise capital. Typically used to help businesses raise money to launch a specific product. Utilizing crowdfunding can be time consuming and requires putting not just product information on the site, but also your business’ or product’s story. The most successful crowdfunding initiatives also include video and photo of the product, and you, the business owner.

Crowdfunding can be a great way to pre-sell your products and raise the capital to put them into production. However, a lot of the money raised may need to be used on the incentives that get people to contribute. In addition, some crowdfunding sites only let you access the money if you meet your fundraising goal. Many sites will also take a percentage of your earnings.

Crowdfunding allows small businesses and startups to raise funds from a broad audience by offering ownership stakes or rewards. Equity crowdfunding platforms like Republic, Wefunder, and StartEngine let individuals invest in company ownership, making it possible for companies to secure significant capital directly from supporters. Honeycomb Credit is another option tailored specifically for small businesses, providing access to community-backed funding.

Business Incubators and Accelerators Can Provide Capital for your Business in Camarillo

Business incubators and accelerators can offer not only funding, but also valuable mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities. These programs can be particularly beneficial for early-stage startups looking to gain traction and access to a wider support network.

Incubators help you develop and refine high-potential startup ideas. Often operating locally, incubators provide a host of resources. Resources can include  physical space to access as needed, often over a span of one to five years.

Accelerators are short, intensive programs that provide education, resources, and mentorship if you’re an early- or mid-stage founder. Often cohort-based, accelerators tend to be more structured than incubators, and offer specific tracks to turn your startup into a scalable business.

Ventura County is home to several incubators, all easily accessible from Camarillo. In Newbury Park, Ventura BioCenter is a biotech incubator that hosts occasional events.

Operated by California Lutheran University, Hub 101 (located in Westlake Village) is a coworking space and incubator. They provide support to  local entrepreneurs through educational programs, mentorship, and community building.

Port Hueneme’s Fathomwerx is a public-private consortium and resource for technological innovation that fuses civilian companies, academia, and other nontraditional Department of Defense (DoD) partners. The laboratory is a physical collaborative space where government employees, business owners, and academic stakeholders can innovate, experiment, and share their knowledge and capabilities. The laboratory features a 3D metal printer, CNC machine, drone cage, underwater testing area, and more!

Additional Education and Advising

Now that you’re armed with the types of capital and information for your business in Camarillo, don’t forget you can always reach out to our team! Ask us any questions or get help launching, moving, or growing your business in Camarillo. We’re dedicated to helping businesses thrive in the city and can’t wait to help you!