---
title: Introduction to what funders are looking for
description: There are many different types of funders and each has their own strategic reason for providing finance to small businesses.
---

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1. [Funding Info](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/?hsLang=en)
2. [Understanding funding](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/understanding-funding?hsLang=en)
3. [Different types of funders](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/understanding-funding?hsLang=en#different-types-of-funders)

# Introduction to what funders are looking for

There are many different types of funders and each has their own strategic reason for providing finance to small businesses. The most obvious funder categories are government and private sector funders. 

 

Government funders seek to fund companies that are aligned to the economic development aims of National Government. These include factors such as funding businesses that operate in top priority sectors and making economic inclusion a top priority. 

 

Private sector funders, on the other hand, are running businesses and, like you, are very focused on making a profit from funding businesses.

 

One of the key factors that differ between funders is the level of risk they are prepared to take. Funders seek to reduce their risk, and they do this by asking you for information about your business and its owners so that they can determine their risk exposure level.

These modules explain how funders operate and what they expect of you.

- [Understanding funding](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/understanding-funding?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Challenges to accessing finance](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/understanding-funding?hsLang=en#challenges-to-accessing-finance)
    - [Different funding needs](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/understanding-funding?hsLang=en#different-funding-needs)
    - [Different types of funders](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/understanding-funding?hsLang=en#different-types-of-funders)
    - [Different types of funding products](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/understanding-funding?hsLang=en#different-types-of-funding-products)
    - [Credit scores and reports](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/understanding-funding?hsLang=en#credit-scores-and-reports)
    - [Learn more](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/understanding-funding?hsLang=en#learn-more)
- [Funding for startups](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/funding-for-startups?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Angel investors](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/funding-for-startups?hsLang=en#angel-investors)
    - [Crowdfunding](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/funding-for-startups?hsLang=en#crowdfunding)
    - [Family and friends](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/funding-for-startups?hsLang=en#family-and-friends)
    - [Government funding](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/funding-for-startups?hsLang=en#government-funding)
    - [Incubators and enterprise development programmes](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/funding-for-startups?hsLang=en#incubators-and-enterprise-development-programmes)
    - [Overdrafts](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/funding-for-startups?hsLang=en#overdrafts)
    - [Social enterprise funding/impact investing](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/funding-for-startups?hsLang=en#social-enterprise-funding-impact-investing)
    - [Venture capitalists](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/funding-for-startups?hsLang=en#venture-capitalists)
- [Dictionary](https://knowledge.finfind.co.za/dictionary?hsLang=en)