Early stage capital is provided within the context of a market. And like all markets the supply of early stage capital, and demand for it, ebbs and flows. When there is a surplus of capital, as there was late in the last decade, the terms entrepreneurs are able to negotiate are “founder friendly.” However, when that capital dries up, as has been the situation in the last several years, the terms for capital investment become more “investor friendly”.
Most early stage investors prefer to purchase preferred stock. Preferred stock usually provides the investor with better deal economics such as an agreed upon valuation. Preferred stock also usually has rights and protections such as anti-dilution terms, rights of first refusal, management control including right to elect directors, and exit and liquidity rights (e.g. drag along and redemption rights).
Understandably, many entrepreneurs would prefer not to grant all these rights at an early stage. Entrepreneurs may instead present a SAFE (simple agreement for future equity) or convertible note to prospective investors. These instruments typically do not provide the protections afforded by preferred stock such as board seats, anti-dilution, and redemption rights at the time of investment.
Whether an entrepreneur can raise money on a non-preferred stock instrument, or an investor can demand preferred stock for his or her capital depends in large part on the market at the time the entrepreneur is raising capital and the type of investor who is seeking to deploy capital. When there is relatively more capital available than quality deals, the entrepreneur will be better able to raise capital on simple instruments that convey relatively few rights to the investor and/or upon very high valuations.
But this balance is always shifting. Sooner or later the number of early stage investors that are willing to invest in highly entrepreneur favorable terms will shrink. When it does, valuations drop and the terms under which the capital is available will shift to more investor favorable terms.
In the current market, where investors can achieve high rate returns for less risk by just investing in T-Bills, start up companies are not raising capital from a position of strength. This means that entrepreneurs may want to consider non-equity capital such as SBA guaranteed loans or revenue financing.
Sage is a revenue-finance investor. Our value proposition is that our capital is non-dilutive without the traditional terms you should expect with a preferred stock offering, and without the profitability or personal guarantees required by bank lending. If your company is post-revenue and struggling to raise funds in the current market, we encourage you to consider what our model may offer.
About Sage Growth Capital
Sage Growth Capital makes revenue-financed investments in companies at any stage who need growth capital. It is our mission to provide a more flexible funding option to growing companies who do not fit traditional equity or lending models. To learn more about Sage Growth Capital or to apply for funding visit: www.sagegrowthcapital.com.
About Revenue-Financed Capital
Revenue-financed capital (RFC), also referred to as royalty financing, revenue share or revenue-based financing (RBF), is a non-dilutive form of growth capital where investors receive a percentage of monthly revenues until a set amount has been paid. RFC differs from equity financing as the investor does not obtain ownership of the company and it differs from debt financing as there is no collateral required and payments are variable. RFC is designed to empower entrepreneurs to grow their businesses with non-dilutive capital that aligns with their sales cycles.
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