Equity Programs
Equity programs are designed to put cash into your business by offering an ownership stake. They are often the programs of last resort; however, these programs can bring new dedicated owners with talent, expertise and connections. It is recommended you consult a good business attorney before taking advantage of these programs.
Common Equity Programs
Qualified New Business Venture
This program opens up a series of other lending programs. Wisconsin’s Early Stage Business Investment Program and Qualified New Business Venture Program (QNBV) work together to spur investment in early stage Wisconsin businesses with the potential for significant economic impact and job growth. The programs are as simple as they are effective, creating mutually beneficial outcomes for investors, businesses and Wisconsin’s economy. By becoming a QNBV it opens up the doors to the following three programs:
Lakeshore Angel Investment Network
Call: Fred Bowes at 920-918-9477
Lakeshore Angels, launched in 2013, is looking to invest in Sheboygan and contiguous Wisconsin counties. The group’s focus is in mezzanine financing, between debt and common equity, and are seeking later-stage companies with strong cash flow that need next stage project funding. Financing requests of $300,000 or more will only be considered.
EB-5 Visa Program
The EB-5 program is administered by the United States Citizen & Immigration Service (USCIS). In return for a $500,000 investment in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), or areas in which unemployment is greater than 150% the national average, an investor can gain a work visa for themselves and immediate family. Fully $1,000,000 must be invested in non-TEA areas. All investments must result in creation of 10 or more jobs. Up to 10,000 EB-5 visas can be issued annually and most are issued through a “Regional Center.”
