Securing adequate funding is one of the biggest obstacles many entrepreneurs face. Your funding needs may also change during the course of product development, as it may take longer or cost more than you first expected.

Bank loans and overdrafts are the most common ways to raise money for a new business. But there are plenty of alternative options too, including:

• cashing in shares or other investments you may hold
• borrowing money from family or friends
• remortgaging your property
• non-bank finance - eg credit unions or peer-to-peer loans
• government grants
• investment from business angels or venture capitalists

Remember to build into your financial forecasts a generous margin for contingencies and the unexpected. It's not worth investing money and then running out before your business has got off the ground.

It is important to plan any investment and control your costs carefully. You should:

• include future investment in products and services into your strategic business plan
• plan exactly where this investment will be directed
• justify the expenditure on every development project
• manage your cost

Before making investment decisions, consider how much your business stands to gain from the new product or service. Weigh this against any risks you face.

Phasing new product development

One way to minimise your risks is to phase investment in projects. By reviewing a project at the end of each stage of development, you can identify products or services that are unlikely to be successful. If the product or service fails to meet established criteria, you should consider cancelling the project. If it does meet them, you can allocate the resources to allow it to reach the next development stage.