Start Here: Reimagining Capital on Your Own Terms
Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center
Empowering entrepreneurship: every stage, every industry, every background.
How the Capital Pathways Workbook helps entrepreneurs choose the right small business funding with clarity and confidence.
For many entrepreneurs, navigating small business funding can feel overwhelming. Between venture capital, small business loans, crowdfunding, and grants, there are more capital options than ever. Knowing which one fits your business is the real challenge.
That’s why the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center created the Capital Pathways Workbook, a free, interactive tool designed to help entrepreneurs align their long-term business vision with the funding options that best support their growth.
Whether you're an early-stage founder or preparing for your next round, this resource is your opportunity to rethink how you raise capital and start with clarity.
Why This Workbook Is Different
Most resources on how to raise capital focus on investor pitches, loan applications, or how to secure venture funding. The Capital Pathways Workbook starts somewhere else: with your vision, your goals, and your leadership needs.
Inside, you’ll explore:
Your definition of long-term business success
What kind of exit (if any) you envision
Your desired growth pace and flexibility
How to assess your capital readiness
This founder-first approach is designed to help you choose the best type of capital for your business, not just the most popular one.
A Smarter Way to Explore Funding Options
This workbook empowers you to:
Clarify your leadership strategy before pursuing external funding
Evaluate which capital types align with your business model
Identify whether non-dilutive funding (like grants or revenue-based financing) is a better fit
Set realistic financial goals tied to your market opportunity and growth timeline
Build confidence in your funding decisions—before you talk to investors or lenders
If you’ve been overwhelmed by financial decisions, this workbook will help you take a step back and reframe your capital journey.
What You’ll Learn Inside
You’ll get actionable tools and insights to help you:
Define your capital strategy based on your business goals
Use our Capital Consideration Mapping Tool to compare capital types
Understand the pros and cons of 12+ capital sources: VC, angel investment, crowdfunding, grants, loans, and more
Explore your cash flow, credit, and community support—key aspects of capital readiness
Develop a growth strategy you can share with funders or use internally
Whether you’re seeking startup capital or looking to scale, this workbook is designed to help you make informed, strategic funding decisions.
“There’s no better time to resource yourself as your company’s steady foundation in service to your business and community’s success.” — Nicola Corzine, CEO, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center
Who Is This Workbook For?
The Capital Pathways Workbook is ideal for:
Entrepreneurs evaluating how to fund a business
Founders exploring small business capital options beyond venture capital
Women and underrepresented founders navigating funding barriers
Growth-stage business owners preparing for future investment
Anyone looking to align their capital decisions with their business model and values
Ready to Start Your Capital Journey?
If you’re seeking clarity on how to raise capital and which funding model fits your business, this workbook is your first step.
📘 Download the Capital Pathways Workbook – it’s free, founder-focused, and built to support your capital journey.
Thank you to those who made the Capital Pathways Workbook possible:
Workbook Sponsor: Wells Fargo
Research Partners / Collaborators
Creative Strategist | Content MacGyver | Design-Driven Marketer | Storyteller of Bold Ideas | Mentor
3moWhat’s a capital term that totally stumped you the first time you heard it? You know the one that made you nod like you understood… and then Google it later? I’ll go first: Float time! (It’s in the glossary, along with a bunch of others that make capital feel way less confusing.)