Should entrepreneurs use their own money to fund their business? – The National

Should entrepreneurs use their own money to fund their business? – The National

With a fifth of small entities failing in the first year, some founders advise only investing what you can afford to lose. Ms Wilde, 37, a former business development consultant who has lived in Dubai for 14 years, has learnt not to plough too much of her own money into start-ups and to get out quickly when failure looks likely.. "I realised there was a potential business there - but it wasn't one I wanted to run," Ms Wilde says.. "I haven't spent a lot up to this point because I am still in the early stages and have built everything myself," Ms Wilde says. ". Of all small businesses started in the US in 2014 (the last year for which there are currently five-year statistics), 20 per cent failed in year one, a further 10 per cent in year two and only 56 per cent made it to year five, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.. Mr Agour says leaving his job as programme associate at a UAE entrepreneurship centre was an "early sign of commitment" to them.. "Venture capitalists won't take you seriously until you leave your job.. Ms Wilde says she and her husband,