Raising Dough

More and more entrepreneurs are using food-based businesses to solve social and environmental problems - and yet the majority of them report that a lack of access to capital prevents them from launching, maintaining, or growing their ventures. Raising Dough is an unprecedented guide to the full range of financing options available to support sustainable food businesses.Raising Dough provides valuable insights into the world of finance, including:Descriptions of various capital options, including traditional debt and equity, government grant and loan programs, and cutting-edge models such as crowdfunding and community-based alternativesGuiding questions to help determine which capital options are the most appropriate given the size, stage, entity type, growth plans, mission, and values of an enterpriseCase studies and testimonials highlighting the experiences of food system entrepreneurs who have been there before, including both success stories and cautionary talesReferrals to sources of capital, financiers, investor networks, and other financial resources.Written primarily for people managing socially responsible food businesses, the resources and tips covered in this book will benefit social entrepreneurs - and their investors - working in any sector. "Raising Dough is an invaluable resource for socially minded farmers and food entrepreneurs. Elizabeth Ü's clear-eyed, nuts-and-bolts advice demonstrates that, like food, finance can be sustainable, too."-Amy Cortese, author of Locavesting: The Revolution in Local Investing and How to Profit from It"As a food entrepreneur, I learned how challenging it is not only to find money but to find the right money. Elizabeth's book is an important tool to help food entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses in a way that supports their vision-so that their food start-ups can thrive and change the world."-Sheryl O'Loughlin, executive director, Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, cofounder and former CEO, Nest Collective (now Plum, Inc.), and former CEO, Clif Bar & Company"Elizabeth Ü has created a formidable one-stop guide to the brass tacks of building a successful sustainable food business. For everyone who's ever wanted to turn their passion for sustainable food into a thriving business, this book is for you."-Anna Lappé, founder Real Food Media Project and author, Diet for a Hot Planet"Elizabeth has written an absolutely critical book for social entrepreneurs. She provides a unique perspective on how different kinds of capital can be blended and sequenced. If you are not familiar with how to attract grants, low-interest loans, equity, loan guarantees, etc., to grow your business, you'll find this to be a hugely valuable investment in yourself. Read it, use it!"-Don Shaffer, president and CEO, RSF Social Finance"Enterprise and money are a representation of spirit, values, and responsibility for the whole. This book provides valuable financial guidance for entrepreneurs who are building the companies that are vital to a sustainable society. Elizabeth Ü offers important insight for a new era of good business."-Joel Solomon, chairman, Renewal Funds "Great business ideas need money behind them, and Elizabeth Ü shows us how to attract and steward investors who are looking beyond profit and toward the benefits that a mission-driven business brings to the community it serves. I wish this book had been around when we were looking for equity investors in Cowgirl Creamery."-Sue Conley, cofounder, Cowgirl Creamery"In this book, Elizabeth tells the revealing truth of what it takes to raise capital for mission-driven food businesses and the extraordinary creativity and perseverance required to succeed. Her book also shares inspiring stories about entrepreneurs who are making breakthroughs and innovations in fundraising. No one who is thinking about starting and raising money for a food b