This paper describes a number of methods that companies, primarily referring to micro, small and medium sized, can use to finance their activities both in Croatia and through the resources that come from the European Union. It also analyses more closely the situation of the small and medium-sized enterprises sector in Croatia, paying attention to the numerous legislative and regulatory barriers in their business, also it describes the processes that they use to perform business activities. There are also many entrepreneurial infrastructures and many advisory institutions that enable businesses to have considerable wind in their backs to reduce and limit the legislative and regulatory barriers. It covers all the more frequent forms of financing of companies in Croatia, such as bank loans, leasing, microfinance and business angels, and some modern ways, which are the most significant in the form of crowdfunding. Also in the paper some programmes of umbrella institutions for entrepreneurship are explained in more detail such as: Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR), Croatian agency for Economy, Innovation and Investment (HAMAG-BICRO), Centre for development of small and medium-sized entrepreneurship (CEPOR), Croatia Chamber of Commerce (HGK) and the Croatian Chamber of Trades and crafts (HOK). As regards the European Union programmes, a special place in this paper was provided for Common Strategic Framework Fund, Horizon 2020. and "COSME" – programmes for the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, which explains the potential approach or the criteria for achieving contracts with small and medium-sized entrepreneurship in Croatia.