Start-Up Investment (1) For a hot dog stand, the start-up investment list might look like this: Start-up Expenses Beginning inventory (hot dogs, condiments, buns, etc.) Business cards and flyers Amount $50 150 Business licenses (city and state) 200 Hot dog cart 2,500 Cash box and other 100 Total start-up investment without contingency $3,000 Contingency @ 10% of start-up investment 300 Total start-up investment with contingency $3,300