startkapital

Startkapital refers to the funds required to launch and sustain a new business until it becomes self-financing. It covers assets, working capital, and initial operating costs, such as product development, equipment, inventory, premises, licenses, marketing, and salaries. The size of startkapital depends on industry, business model, and expected time to profitability, and is usually estimated in a business plan or financial forecast.

Sources of startkapital include personal savings and bootstrapping, funds from founders, loans from banks or microfinance institutions, equity investments from founders or investors, angel investors, venture capital, crowdfunding, and public grants or subsidies. Some start-ups participate in accelerators or incubators that provide seed funding or resources in addition to mentorship.

The choice between debt and equity financing affects control, cost of capital, and risk. Debt requires regular repayments and interest, while equity dilutes ownership but may provide strategic value and risk sharing. Startups often combine sources to balance speed, cost, and risk, for example using bootstrapping for early development and seeking external capital for growth.

In German-speaking contexts, startkapital is contrasted with Stammkapital, the legally defined minimum share capital for certain company forms like GmbH. A well-structured capital plan aligns capital requirements with milestones and a realistic path to profitability, and is a central element of the business model.