Crowdcube (www.crowdcube.com), the company behind an innovative funding solution for start-ups and growing businesses, has used its own unique crowdfunding website to secure £300,000 investment from 162 investors to fuel its next phase of growth.

Factoring and invoice discounting are both forms of receivables finance that allow you to raise money directly against your outstanding debtors as a way of covering a 'funding gap' and this is intended as an introduction to what they are and how they work.

The value of smaller private equity buyouts grew 25% in the three months to September to almost £600m, indicating a returning confidence among Britain’s small and mid-sized companies in the aftermath of recession.

Start-up killers are those spoken statements that will lose the funding or customer deal for the entrepreneur. When speaking to someone about the new product or the business proposition, there is often the moment when you know that you have lost your listener. One misspoken comment and everyone wants to leave as soon as possible. They've made their decision and they want you to stop wasting their time. It's their gut reaction. What are some of these turn-offs?