The U.S. Census Bureau's 2002 Survey of Business Owners - Characteristics of Business studied small businesses operating within the United States. Only 28% of respondents reported that they had started their business with no capital. More than 60% were self-financed with funding from family, friends, or their own savings.
Other popular sources of funding among those in need of start-up capital included bank loans (11%) and credit card debt (9%).
Those seeking capital to finance a new e-commerce business have two other options, in addition to bank financing: venture capital companies and angel investors.