The specific types of equity financing available to you are, to some extent, determined by the organizational form of your small business. Sole proprietorships are the simplest businesses to form, but equity financing is limited to the owner's assets. General partnerships require at least two owners, so equity financing possibilities are greater than in proprietorships. Limited partnerships can provide limited liability to some of the owners, if they're not active participants in the business.
Corporations provide the most flexible possibilities for investors.
Business combinations are a way of leveraging your business's assets through contractual arrangements with other companies.