Most startups look at a relatively short list of avenues to raise capital.

Routes to raising capital:

Individual Angel Investor:

Usually in it for convertible debt or ownership equity in the company, Angel Investors are individuals with affluence and thus, capital, to bring to a startup.

Angel Networks:

A more elaborate version of an Angel Investor, as the name suggests, an angel network is a group of Angel Investors who have joined forces to invest as a unit. At times, they may also offer support if an opportunity lies within their area of expertise.

Seed Funds:

Largely self-explanatory, these are investments made by investors, usually in exchange for an equity stake in the business after a mutually agreed upon period of time. Seed capital is usually spent on market research or further product development. Since the risk is considerably higher while gathering seed capital (as opposed to venturing capital), the former is often in tens of thousands, while the level of stake required to get required funds is the same as venture capital in hundreds of thousands.