1. Joint-Stock Companies: Wealthy investors and merchants formed joint-stock companies to pool resources and spread risks. These companies financed expeditions and colonies in exchange for a share of the profits.
2. Government Support: European governments occasionally funded and sponsored expeditions and colonies to expand their territories and increase their power and prestige.
3. Land Grants: Some settlers were offered large tracts of land in exchange for establishing settlements and bringing colonists. These land grants provided an incentive to underwrite the costs of settlement.
4. Indentured Servitude: Many colonists came to the New World as indentured servants, agreeing to work for a set period in exchange for passage and basic necessities. This system helped reduce labor costs for settlements.
5. Barter and Trade: Colonists often relied on barter and trade with Native American tribes to acquire resources and supplies. This reduced their dependence on imported goods and helped sustain the settlements.
6. Local Resource Exploitation: Settlers exploited the natural resources available in the New World, such as timber, furs, fish, and minerals, which could be traded for goods from Europe or sold directly for profit.
7. Religious Donations: Some settlements were funded through donations from religious groups or individuals who supported missionary efforts and the establishment of new religious communities in the New World.
8. Subsistence Farming: Many settlers engaged in subsistence farming to provide for their own needs, reducing the reliance on imported food supplies.
9. Taxation and Fees: In some cases, settlers were subject to taxes and fees imposed by colonial governments or proprietors. These revenues helped fund public services and infrastructure development within the colonies.