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Venture debt allows startups to fuel growth and innovation as they build momentum between funding rounds. Venture loans can extend your early-stage company’s cash runway as you navigate further capital raising. It is a specific loan that only those businesses already backed by venture capital can access. This article will explain venture debt and the implications of using this method to finance a startup, as well as some advantages and disadvantages of accepting a venture loan.
Venture Debt: Explained
Venture debt is a loan given to startups and other early-stage businesses already receiving venture capital. While the same party (venture capitalists) can provide venture capital and venture loans, there is a difference between these two terms. The following table explains this distinction.
| Type of Funding | Explanation |
| Venture Debt | Venture debt is a specific type of loan. Venture capitalists can provide venture loans to businesses already backed by venture capital. Typically, companies can receive these loans as an additional form of finance between funding rounds. |
| Venture Capital | Venture capital is a type of financial investment that venture capitalists give to select startups and early-stage businesses in exchange for equity. Venture capitalists typically want the businesses they invest in to rapidly scale and develop before they exit and profit from their initial investment. |
Venture loans differ from traditional loans, particularly in how they are underwritten. Traditional loans often require tangible assets as collateral, but startups usually do not have substantial assets at the early stages. For this reason, venture loans rely on the company’s potential to raise capital, including its intellectual property, contracts and current investors.
The Advantages of Venture Debt
1. Access to Capital
Venture loans can provide startups with a further funding source in addition to venture capital. It can allow startups and other early-stage companies to innovate and expand between funding rounds.
2. No Additional Equity Dilution
Venture capitalists tend to ask that you surrender a portion of equity in exchange for funds. However, if you seek an additional venture loan, the lender will not typically expect you to provide any further equity. This means you will not need to dilute your equity further to obtain this form of finance.
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The Disadvantages of Venture Debt
1. Available Only to Those Already Backed by Venture Capital
This form of finance is not easily accessible. Venture loans are not available to all business owners. They are available only to those whom venture capitalists are already backing. Obtaining venture capital is highly competitive and can often be London-centric.
2. Risks Associated With Debt
There are risks associated with taking on any form of debt. Venture loans often have high interest rates, which increases risk. If your startup fails to meet its growth targets or experiences financial difficulties, it may struggle to repay the loan. This could lead to default, loss of equity and financial liability.
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If you are interested in accepting a venture loan, carefully consider the implications of this decision. Assess your startup’s financial position, market position and growth potential.
Summing Up of Pros and Cons
Venture debt is a loan companies already backed by venture capital can apply for to generate additional capital. It differs from traditional loans because startups must show their growth potential rather than using existing assets as collateral. Lenders will look to give venture loans to those with high-growth potential.
Advantages of venture debt include the following:
- it allows startups to access additional capital, extending the runway between funding rounds; and
- venture loan providers will not expect you to surrender further equity in exchange for the loan.
Disadvantages of venture debt include the following:
- it can be hard to access as it is only available to those who have successfully obtained venture capital; and
- high interest rates can make this form of finance a riskier funding option.
Key Takeaways
Venture loans can be a helpful financing option for early-stage companies looking to generate more capital between funding rounds without diluting their ownership through additional equity financing. However, venture debt carries risk.
If you are considering any debt financing option for your startup, including venture debt, consider seeking independent advice. An experienced independent advisor, such as a lawyer, accountant or business consultant, can help you understand your options and the implications of different forms of startup financing.
If you want advice about the legal implications of venture debt or further advice about financing a startup, LegalVision’s experienced startup lawyers can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today at 0808 196 8584 or visit our membership page.
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