In the event that you have been in business for at least a little while, then you probably know that it takes money to make money. Not only does it take capital to get a business off the ground, but also businesses need cash to fund their operations and keep them afloat until they are able to generate enough profit to reinvest those earnings back into their company. This is why most small businesses look for ways to raise capital in order to keep their business going and expanding — whether that’s by launching new products, purchasing new equipment, or hiring more employees. And while there are several different financing options out there, one that has become quite popular among small businesses is inventory financing. Inventory financing can be an excellent way for smaller companies with great potential and a limited amount of working capital to acquire the funding they need — all without giving up ownership of their company. In this article we will explore what inventory financing is along with several other useful insights.
What is inventory financing?
Inventory financing is a contractual agreement between a borrower and a lender in which the borrower receives a loan with which they purchase inventory. Once the inventory is sold, the borrower repays the loan with interest. An inventory financing agreement is technically a type of inventory loan where the loan proceeds are used by the borrower to purchase inventory. In other words, a business that needs funding quickly may use the inventory they already have on hand as collateral to secure a loan in order to purchase more goods.
Why use inventory financing?
There are a number of reasons why a small business may want to use inventory financing. A business that’s growing quickly may need to make a large purchase (like purchasing new equipment, renovating a space, or marketing new products) that requires a significant amount of capital. However, many small businesses don’t have enough of a cash flow or a good enough credit score to qualify for a traditional loan. A business that’s been in operation for a while may have enough assets and earnings to qualify for a loan from a traditional lender. However, a newer or smaller company may not have the assets or earnings necessary to get a loan from a bank. This is where inventory financing can come in handy.
The basics of what an inventory financing agreement is
An inventory financing agreement is a contract between a borrower and a lender in which the borrower receives capital in the form of a loan with which they purchase inventory. Once the inventory is sold, the borrower repays the loan (plus interest). Inventory financing agreements can be either open-ended or closed-ended. An open-ended inventory financing agreement is a contractual agreement during which the borrower repays the loan plus interest with a combination of cash flow and/or the sale of the purchased inventory. A closed-ended inventory financing agreement is a contractual agreement during which the borrower repays the loan plus interest with cash flow and/or the sale of the purchased inventory. Depending on the type of inventory financing agreement, the borrower may be required to purchase insurance on the purchased inventory. This can cover the lender in the case that the borrower doesn’t have the capital to repay the loan.
How can you find the right lender?
There are many different lenders that offer inventory financing to small businesses. To find the right lender and inventory financing agreement, you should first come up with a budget of how much capital you need and how much you’re willing to pay in interest. Once you have a budget in mind, you can begin searching for lenders in your area. You may want to talk to friends or colleagues in the industry to see if they have any recommendations. You may also want to look on a site like Upstart, where you can create a free profile that allows lenders to view your business and your financial needs.
Final Words: Are You Thinking About Using Inventory Financing?
If you’re a small business owner who’s in need of a little extra capital, then inventory financing may be exactly what you need. Inventory financing is a great option for small businesses that want to expand their inventory but don’t have enough cash on hand to do so. If you’re thinking about using inventory financing to expand your inventory, then you’ll want to make sure that you understand the terms of the loan and the conditions of the contract. You also want to make sure that you can repay the loan — whether that’s by selling your products or by collecting payment from your customers. Inventory financing can provide a much-needed cash infusion for small businesses that want to expand their inventory but don’t have enough money on hand to do so. By using inventory financing, small businesses can borrow money from a lender in order to purchase more inventory — and then repay that loan with the proceeds from the purchased goods.