Venture Debt
定义
Venture debt is a loan to a venture-backed startup, typically sized against the last equity round and repaid over three to four years, usually with small equity warrants attached.
它在融资中如何出现
Founders layer venture debt onto an equity round to extend runway 20 to 30 percent with minimal dilution.
常见问题
When is venture debt a good idea?
Right after a strong equity round, as insurance runway toward clear milestones; it is dangerous as a substitute for equity a company cannot raise.
What are the risks?
Covenants and repayment obligations bind in downturns exactly when cash is tight; a lender’s remedies can force bad outcomes.