Business growth - EdexcelSources of finance for businesses

Business growth is important as it enables businesses to increase the scale of their operation and competitiveness. This may be done either internally (organically) or externally (inorganically).

Part ofBusinessGrowing the business

Sources of finance for growing and established businesses

found from within a business is called an internal source of finance, whereas capital found from outside a business is an external source of finance.

Internal sources of finance

Retained profits

Retained profits are held back in the business for reinvestment rather than being issued as .

Advantages:

  • cheap, quick and convenient, and there is easy access to the money

Disadvantages:

  • once the money is gone, it is not available for any future unforeseen problems the business might face

Selling of assets

Another internal source of finance is by selling unwanted , such as machinery and equipment.

Advantages:

  • convenient, can create space for more profitable uses, and can be quick

Disadvantages:

  • the business might not get the full market value of the assets or even sell them at all
  • the business might also need the assets in the future

The owner’s savings

A third source of internal finance is the business owner’s own savings.

Advantages:

  • cheap, quick and convenient

Disadvantages:

  • the owner might not have enough savings or may need the cash for personal use