SBA Office of Advocacy Research on Access to Capital

These are research reports rather than books, but they provide useful, politically neutral evidence on how young firms, minority-owned firms, women-owned firms, and other small businesses obtain financing.

Mentors gain factual context regarding equity, debt, personal capital, collateral, credit, and financing patterns. The reports help mentors understand that financing readiness involves both the quality of the business and the founder’s available resources, financial records, creditworthiness, and lender relationships.