During the last decades we have seen a growing number of new start-ups in the service/knowledge sector. These types of companies often have no fiscal assets to secure loans with. What types of financing alternatives are there in those situations? I will in this thesis show that there are two directions to choose between to get financial support. By gathering of information I have been able to show that there are more than one alternative to consider when needing funding and that using different alternatives will lead to different results. I will not say which one is the right one, but that there are different ways and there will be different outcomes depending on which one you choose. The study also shows that there are a lot of things you need to take into consideration before using a venture capitalist. An empirical study is made between two companies that decided to use different ways to get the financial support they required. The result shown in this study is that the entrepreneurs own financial situation affect what direction the entrepreneur will take.

The world's economies are in a turbulent phase where rising inflation has hit the global and Swedish economy hard. The Central Bank of Sweden has raised the policy rate expansively in recent months, with the intention of curbing inflation. Swedish real estate companies have experienced significant debt growth in recent years, making them very sensitive to interest rate increases. The increasing financing costs are challenging for real estate companies and it is of great importance that the companies continue to maintain earnings, that interest rates do not rise too much and that they continue to have sufficient access to financing. The credit rating of real estate companies is a crucial component of their financing, as it measures the long-term risk of default and can affect the company's cost of borrowing. The purpose of the paper is to investigate what different financing options Swedish real estate companies have during a recession and how the financial strategy and risk management differs depending on the company's credit rating. Furthermore, the study will investigate how the capital structure changes depending on the measures taken. The study is based on a qualitative study conducted with semi-structured interviews to gain a comprehensive understanding of the research area. The interviews were primarily conducted with real estate companies, both rated and unrated, and all rated companies in the study have an investment grade rating. This was followed by interviews with the major Swedish banks involved in lending to real estate companies and the credit rating agencies that carry out official ratings for real estate companies. The results show that the financing options differ depending on the credit rating of the real estate company. The biggest difference is identified between companies with a credit rating in the A segment and companies with a credit rating in the triple B segment. Financing costs have increased for all companies but significantly more for companies in the triple B segment. As a result, the capital market is to a greater extent inaccessible to the triple B companies and therefore these companies choose to focus on bank financing. The study has also shown that it is of great importance for real estate companies to make a long-term decision on their financing strategy and the extent to which their credit rating is important for their financing. The study found that there are two groups of attitudes towards the credit rating. Either companies use all means to defend their credit rating, or they put their efforts into strengthening the balance sheet and maintaining bank covenants. The market conditions have also affected the capital structures of real estate companies. High inflation and rising interest rates result in higher yield requirements, which leads to falling property values and rising LTV ratios for real estate companies. Real estate companies work actively to reduce their LTV ratios by selling properties, increasing share capital, reducing the pace of investment and suspending dividends. An excessively high LTV ratio can lead to a credit rating downgrade and, depending on how the company perceives this, the actions of real estate companies may differ. / Världens ekonomier befinner sig i en turbulent period där den stigande inflationen har slagit hårt mot den globala och svenska ekonomin. Den svenska centralbanken har under de senaste månaderna höjt styrräntan expansivt i syfte att dämpa inflationen. De svenska fastighetsbolagen har haft en betydande skuldtillväxt de senaste åren, vilket gör dem mycket känsliga för räntehöjningar. De ökande finansieringskostnaderna är utmanande för fastighetsbolagen och det är av stor vikt att bolagen fortsätter att upprätthålla intjäningen, att räntorna inte stiger för mycket och att de fortsätter att ha tillräcklig tillgång till finansiering. Fastighetsbolagens kreditbetyg är en avgörande komponent i deras finansiering, eftersom det mäter den långsiktiga risken för betalningsinställelse och kan påverka bolagets lånekostnader. Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka vilka olika finansieringsalternativ svenska fastighetsbolag har under en lågkonjunktur samt hur den finansiella strategin och riskhanteringen skiljer sig åt beroende på bolagets kreditvärdighet. Vidare kommer studien att undersöka hur kapitalstrukturen förändras beroende på vilka åtgärder som vidtas. Studien baseras på en kvalitativ studie som genomförts med semistrukturerade intervjuer för att få en djupare förståelse för forskningsområdet. Intervjuerna har främst genomförts med fastighetsbolag, både med och utan kreditbetyg, och samtliga företag som innehar ett kreditbetyg i studien har ett betyg inom investment grade segmentet. Därefter följde intervjuer med de svenska storbanker som är involverade i utlåning till fastighetsbolagen och de kreditvärderingsinstitut som utför officiella kreditvärderingar av fastighetsbolagen.  Resultatet visar att finansieringsalternativen skiljer sig åt beroende på fastighetsbolagets kreditvärdighet. Den största skillnaden identifieras mellan bolag med kreditbetyg i A segmentet och bolag med kreditbetyg i trippel B segmentet. Finansieringskostnaderna har ökat för samtliga bolag men betydligt mer för bolagen i trippel B segmentet. Som en följd av detta är kapitalmarknaden i större utsträckning otillgänglig för trippel B företagen och därför väljer dessa företag att öka sin finansiering från banker. Studien har också visat att det är av stor vikt för fastighetsbolagen att fatta ett långsiktigt beslut gällande sin finansieringsstrategi och i vilken utsträckning deras kreditbetyg är viktigt för deras finansiering. Undersökningen visade att det finns två grupper av attityder till kreditbetyget. Antingen använder bolagen alla medel för att försvara sitt kreditbetyg, eller så lägger de sina ansträngningar på att stärka balansräkningen och upprätthålla bankcovenanterna. Marknadsförhållandena har också påverkat fastighetsbolagens kapitalstruktur. Hög inflation och stigande räntor leder till högre avkastningskrav, vilket leder till fallande fastighetsvärden och stigande belåningsgrader för fastighetsbolagen. Fastighetsbolagen arbetar aktivt med att sänka sina belåningsgrader genom att sälja fastigheter, ta in mer aktiekapital, minska investeringstakten och dra in utdelningar. En alltför hög belåningsgrad kan leda till en nedgradering av kreditbetyg och beroende på bolagets syn på detta kan fastighetsbolagens åtgärder skilja sig åt.

There has been a rapid increase in the number of women entrepreneurs during the last decade. Yet, the number is still rather low why the Swedish Government is performing encouraging efforts. The encouragement of female‟s entrepreneurship is a necessity since women account for a rather new group of entrepreneurs who contributes to the growth of the economy. For most entrepreneurs, the success or failure depends on the ability to create a network of support and access to external capital. Previous research has shown that women entrepreneurs have a harder time to access external capital. These researchers have, however, mostly focused on individual traits and through these explained the financial situation of women entrepreneurs. This research, on the contrary, adopts a sociological research perspective where the everyday experiences of women entrepreneurs are emphasized. The purpose of this study is to understand and describe the financial situations faced by women entrepreneurs within the region of Jönköping. This will be achieved by examining the women‟s experiences in asking for banks‟ capital and the perceptions of the banks in supplying the capital. The study takes on an ethnomethodological research approach and applies a narrative data collection method. Due to the adopted ethnomethodological perspective, the study engages in the mapping of the everyday reality of the researched participants. The narrative data collection method allows the participants to express their stories and experiences. On the basis of an a priori model, the narratives were systematically studied and the financial situation of women entrepreneurs analyzed. The study applies a micro- and a macro analysis under which narratives of two different structures are examined. The micro analysis takes account of the narratives produced by the researched participants without involving any theory. It is found that the women entrepreneurs‟ narratives are more varied and action-oriented whereas the narratives of banks are more conformative and gen-eral. The macro analysis puts the narratives into a broader framework by in-volving both earlier research and a theory developed by Bourdieu. This analysis contributes to an understanding of that the social setting affects the structure, rules and norms of the entrepreneurial field. This may act as hin-ders for women entrepreneurs in terms of accessing capital, networking and overall feeling exhorted to be entrepreneurs. Hence, the reality of women entrepreneurs can be argued to be socially constructed where the women are unfairly seen through influenced eyes.

Abstract Background: Small businesses are vital for the welfare of a country. Yet, they have trou-ble obtaining external financing and these difficulties are gathered under the umbrella concept the “Financial Gap”. The most common source of fund-ing for small businesses is bank loan, why the availability of bank financing is a critical factor for their success. Today, 31% of all Swedish companies argue that they have finance problems and for half of these, the problem is to obtain a bank loan. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to describe and explain the Financial Gap as a relational concept. That is to say that the study will contribute to the understanding of the Financial Gap by focusing on the perspectives of both small businesses and banks interactively. Method: The study views the concept of the Financial Gap from a practical stand-point, assuming that it expresses its existence in the interaction between small businesses and banks. To pursue this view, the study takes on an Eth-nomethodological research approach. This approach is necessary in order to come close to and understand small businesses‟ and banks‟ everyday prac-tises. In-depth interviews are used for obtaining this deeper understanding of both parties. In addition, a questionnaire was sent out to small businesses in order to verify the information gathered in the interviews. Conclusion: On the basis of the study, the authors have developed an Interactive Model which describes their understanding of the Financial Gap. The members of small businesses and banks deal with information differently, which in turn is a result of how they approach ambiguity. When ambiguity is present, small firms settle with making decisions under uncertainty, whereas banks prefer to calculate on probabilities, why their decisions are considered being made under risk. The differences mentioned become visible in their deci-sion-making process, where small businesses act pursuant to a practical rea-soning whereas banks employ an analytical reasoning. Consequently, it leads to a clash when these two shall interact and function in a transaction as partners. The study concludes that the Financial Gap can be explained by small firms and banks speaking different languages when presenting the same reality.

<p><strong>Abstract </strong></p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Small businesses are vital for the welfare of a country. Yet, they have trou-ble obtaining external financing and these difficulties are gathered under the umbrella concept the “Financial Gap”. The most common source of fund-ing for small businesses is bank loan, why the availability of bank financing is a critical factor for their success. Today, 31% of all Swedish companies argue that they have finance problems and for half of these, the problem is to obtain a bank loan.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong><em>The purpose of the study is to describe and explain the Financial Gap as a relational concept. That is to say that the study will contribute to the understanding of the Financial Gap by focusing on the perspectives of both small businesses and banks interactively. </em></p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The study views the concept of the Financial Gap from a practical stand-point, assuming that it expresses its existence in the interaction between small businesses and banks. To pursue this view, the study takes on an Eth-nomethodological research approach. This approach is necessary in order to come close to and understand small businesses‟ and banks‟ everyday prac-tises. In-depth interviews are used for obtaining this deeper understanding of both parties. In addition, a questionnaire was sent out to small businesses in order to verify the information gathered in the interviews.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>On the basis of the study, the authors have developed an <em>Interactive Model </em>which describes their understanding of the Financial Gap. The members of small businesses and banks deal with information differently, which in turn is a result of how they approach ambiguity. When ambiguity is present, small firms settle with making decisions under uncertainty, whereas banks prefer to calculate on probabilities, why their decisions are considered being made under risk. The differences mentioned become visible in their deci-sion-making process, where small businesses act pursuant to a practical rea-soning whereas banks employ an analytical reasoning. Consequently, it leads to a clash when these two shall interact and function in a transaction as partners. The study concludes that the Financial Gap can be explained by small firms and banks speaking different languages when presenting the same reality.</p>

<p>There has been a rapid increase in the number of women entrepreneurs during the last decade. Yet, the number is still rather low why the Swedish Government is performing encouraging efforts. The encouragement of female‟s entrepreneurship is a necessity since women account for a rather new group of entrepreneurs who contributes to the growth of the economy. For most entrepreneurs, the success or failure depends on the ability to create a network of support and access to external capital. Previous research has shown that women entrepreneurs have a harder time to access external capital. These researchers have, however, mostly focused on individual traits and through these explained the financial situation of women entrepreneurs. This research, on the contrary, adopts a sociological research perspective where the everyday experiences of women entrepreneurs are emphasized.</p><p>The purpose of this study is to understand and describe the financial situations faced by women entrepreneurs within the region of Jönköping. This will be achieved by examining the women‟s experiences in asking for banks‟ capital and the perceptions of the banks in supplying the capital.</p><p>The study takes on an ethnomethodological research approach and applies a narrative data collection method. Due to the adopted ethnomethodological perspective, the study engages in the mapping of the everyday reality of the researched participants. The narrative data collection method allows the participants to express their stories and experiences.</p><p>On the basis of an a priori model, the narratives were systematically studied and the financial situation of women entrepreneurs analyzed. The study applies a micro- and a macro analysis under which narratives of two different structures are examined. The micro analysis takes account of the narratives produced by the researched participants without involving any theory. It is found that the women entrepreneurs‟ narratives are more varied and action-oriented whereas the narratives of banks are more conformative and gen-eral. The macro analysis puts the narratives into a broader framework by in-volving both earlier research and a theory developed by Bourdieu. This analysis contributes to an understanding of that the social setting affects the structure, rules and norms of the entrepreneurial field. This may act as hin-ders for women entrepreneurs in terms of accessing capital, networking and overall feeling exhorted to be entrepreneurs. Hence, the reality of women entrepreneurs can be argued to be socially constructed where the women are unfairly seen through influenced eyes.</p>

Att små fastighetsbolags tillgång till extern finansiering och därmed tillväxt är mer begränsat än för större bolag är ett känt faktum. Kapital är begränsat och det kommer hela tiden nya regler som höjer inträdesbarriärerna på fastighetsmarknaden. Trots att spelreglerna är samma för alla och inte går att ändra på, så finns det vissa faktorer som små fastighetsbolag bör ta hänsyn till för att ha en större chans i en kapitalintensiv och konkurrenskraftig bransch. Syftet med studien är således att undersöka vilka faktorer som kan vara avgörande för små fastighetsbolags möjlighet att få tillgång till kapital, med inriktning på bankfinansiering. Studiens syfte har besvarats genom en kvalitativ metod som baserats på sex semistrukturerade intervjuer vilket utgör empiriavsnittet. Fem respondenter är småfastighetsbolag varav tre är etablerade och två är relativt nystartade. En sjätte respondent utgörsav en lokal bank för att inkludera perspektivet från andra sidan i kreditförhållandet. Det framgår att banklån fortfarande är den vanligaste finansieringskällan i fastighetsbranschen och att denna marknad präglas av relationer och tillit i allra högsta grad. Risk är ytterligare en relevant aspekt eftersom det ofta handlar om stora summor kapital, och denna risk kan minimeras för små aktörer genom att agera på ett visst sätt. Att ha en historik i fastighetsbranschen ökar ens chanser att få banklån avsevärt och återbetalningsförmågan är enligt banken det viktigaste. Vidare är marknadens läge också en viktig aspekt då det kan skapa antingen bättre, eller sämre förutsättningar att få finansiering beroende på vad som sker i omvärlden. Resultatet handlar sammantaget om fem utmärkande begrepp; bankrelationer, risk, återbetalningsförmåga, erfarenhet, och marknaden, där framgång i ett mindre fastighetsbolag i slutändan handlar om att finna en optimal balans mellan dessa faktorer. / It is a known fact that small real estate companies’ access to external financing and consequently growth is more limited than what it is to larger firms. The capital is limited today and new regulations appear all the time which additionally raises the barriers for entry to the real estate sector. Even though the same rules apply to all, there are some factors that smaller firms can pay attention to in order to have a better chance in this competitive market. The purpose of this study is thus to examine which factors could be definitive for small real estate companies' ability to gain access to capital, focusing on bank financing. The purpose has been achieved by applying a qualitative method based on six semi structured interviews, which also constitutes the empirical chapter. Five respondents are small real estate firms where of three are established, and two relatively new. A sixth respondent is a local bank in order to include that perspective as well. Bank loans are still the most common source of financing in real estate and this market is all about relations and trust. Risk is another relevant factor since there is a lot of capital in the real estate business and this risk can be minimized in a number of ways. To have a track record in the real estate industry strengthens your chances of getting a bank loan significantly and proof of repayment is according to the bank the most important. The market's condition is also an important aspect, it can create better, or worse conditions for obtaining financing depending on activities in the close environment. The findings consist of five main aspects: bank relations, risk, experience, repayment ability and the market, where a small real estate firm’s success ultimately depends on how well they can find a balance between the factors.