Ask Ag About... Access to Finance for Small and Growing Businesses

Information: 

Having access to finance is crucial for facilitating expansion and scale of small and growing businesses (SGBs). SGBs are commercially viable businesses with significant potential for growth that seek growth capital from $20,000 to $2 million. However, accessing growth capital in this range is a major challenge, particularly in emerging markets. 

Join our upcoming Ask Ag online chat where financing institution experts and field practitioners will delve into the complexities of access to finance, as well as examine key factors for success, best practices and lessons learned.

For one hour, experts will answer your questions and discuss best practices, common challenges and lessons learned in their own development work involving access to finance. It all takes place right here in our Comments section! 

If you arrive early, post a question for our experts right now in the Comments section below, and/or return to this page on October 27th from 12-1 p.m. EDT to engage in the live discussion. 

1. What are the critical components of accelerating investment-readiness for small and growing businesses? What are key factors for success in this process?

2. From an entrepreneur’s perspective, what are the pros/cons of debt vs. equity financing? What does the pursuit of external financing look like for an entrepreneur?

3. How do financial institutions determine investability? What are the most common factors that make or break a loan/equity investment?