Startups and debt
Startups and debt (VI): Vendor finance, crowdfunding loans and initial trade offerings
In the previous five articles in this series (see here) we saw the reasons and setbacks associated with startups’ exclusive dependence on equity, and the advantages of debt, in what is also a favorable scenario for debt. We saw the difficulty to provide general recipes for getting debt and a few not very promising routes for startups. And looked at venture debt as a suitable mechanism for startups. Together with discussing the importance of security interests and of thinking up ways of using new intangibles, and in the latest article we suggested pledges of future revenues.Startups and debt (V): Security interests in future business revenues
In the previous four articles in this series (see here) we looked at the key role of professional investors at startups, though also at the setbacks of the exclusive dependence of these types of companies on equity and the advantages debt would have for them. The environment, as we saw, is also a favorable one for borrowing. We described the difficulty to provide general recipes for getting debt and a few not very promising routes. In search of more successful mechanisms, we examined venture debt as a suitable route for startups. Our latest article researched routes going beyond venture debt and determined in particular the importance of security interests for raising debt. In view of the characteristic structure of startups’ balance sheets we also saw the need to find innovative security interests within the reach of these companies, especially in certain new types of intangibles.Startups and debt (IV): The importance of security interests and new intangibles
In earlier articles in this series (see here) we looked at the key role of venture capital funds, the reasons and setbacks associated with startups’ exclusive dependence on equity rounds, together with the advantages that debt would have for them. We also determined that this is a promising environment for borrowing. Then we looked at the difficulty with providing general recipes for raising debt finance and a few routes that do not seem very promising for startups, such as commercial banks and their ordinary channels and conventional bond issues. In our latest article we explored venture debt as a suitable debt financing mechanism for startups. And here we analyze the importance of security interests and of thinking up ways to use new intangibles.Startups and debt (III): Venture debt
In earlier articles in this series (see here and here) we explained the reasons and setbacks, for founders in particular, of startups’ dependence on equity as the only source of finance, together with the advantages that debt would have for them. We also described how the environment is right for opening up routes to obtain debt finance. Lastly we looked at the difficulty with providing general recipes for raising debt finance and a few routes that do not appear to be very promising options for startups, such as commercial banks and their ordinary channels and conventional bond issues. Now we take a look at a first form of debt finance that does look like a way forward.Startups and debt (II): Advantages of debt, opportunities in the current environment and a look at a few routes
In the previous article in this series, we explained, in relation to the necessary and very positive contribution that venture capital funds make to the ecosystem, a few setbacks associated with startups’ exclusive dependence on equity rounds, especially for their founders, and how increasing their debt levels could counter those setbacks. In this new article, we look at the advantages of debt, the opportunity afforded by the current environment and study a few first and hypothetical routes to get debt financing.Startups and debt (I): Overdependence on equity rounds. Reasons and setbacks
Searching for additional financing routes, in the form of debt rather than equity, could benefit startup founders by curtailing their dilution in equity rounds and also have other advantages for the companies themselves. This would contribute to encouraging more young entrepreneurs to start and carry on with their projects and would also benefit venture capital funds, key and irreplaceable players, in that they would have more and stronger investment opportunities.