Elaborate on the different stages of funding Yelp carried throughout its business life cycle.

A business goes through various stages of development. The life cycle of a business consists of various stages like introduction, growth, maturity and decline . The funding options vary according to the requirements of each of these stages. The business rely on different types of financing options during its life cycle.

1. Introduction stage: During this stage the business is starting up it will be difficult to arrange debt fro financial institutions. Thus the funding options will be self-funding or loans from friends and family members, angel investors etc.
2. Growth stage: In this stage the sales are increasing, the business is making profit. In other words the business in growing. Then It can arrange funds by way of loans from financial institutions or by issuing shares.
3. Expansion stage: In this stage, the business in planning for expansion. Its products will be established in the market. Here the funding sources like leasing, licensing and joint ventures with other companies are feasible.
4. Decline stage: A decline in the sales and thereby profits will be the signs of these stage. The company is unable to arrange funds and it may choose a merger with some other company. There are cost cutting measures talken during this stage rather than funding.