since few people had enough money to start a colony, many colonies were started by what type of business?

Answer 1

Luxery items were top of the list, so trading companies were the most prominent business'. But many colonies were also founded by people with religious intentions, whether to convert (Spain & Portugal) or to flee persecution (French & English settlers). Many times the two went hand in hand but not always. The main way to start a colony was to aquire a charter. Charters were given out by the government which might be a monarch or a parliment. Many times these were financed by nobles as a sort of early Wall Street, a place to put their money and hope that they got good returns.

Answer 2

search "Dutch East India Company". That was their business. As for type of business, depends on what the colony had to offer. Firs, gold, slaves, run, tobacco. Also google "golden triangle" which was a trade route of big sailing ships.