Although some incubation programs (regardless of nonprofit or for-profit status) take equity in client companies, most do not.

Only 25% of incubation programs report that they take equity in some or all of their clients.

"We had to rethink our negotiations because suddenly we were negotiating to take equity in a company that was losing money," he said.

Banks often do not like taking equity because it obligates them to stick with the borrower for the longer term.

There is no charge for taking equity out of the home.

Homeowners have been taking equity out of their homes and spending it.

Taking equity from your home can help older people stay solvent.

His partner, Frank Sposato, was ready to take equity out.

The same goes for homeowners, who can take equity out of their houses and then diversify their holdings.

"You just can't sell today for a price that lets you take positive equity out and still service debt."