Equity vs. Debt Financing: Pros and Cons for Startups

Equity financing or debt financing?

As a startup, you have options. Debt financing is when you borrow money to fund a startup, while equity financing involves selling a portion of the startup to finance operations. Both have their pros and cons, and the experts at Graphite Financial have the expertise to guide your startup on which option is better for your situation.

In fact, most successful startups use a combination of both debt and equity financing — but there’s a lot that goes into such a decision. In this post, we’ll take a look at the factors of both equity and debt financing that go beyond the financial implications. Read on to learn more or contact Graphite today for more information.

Understanding the Financing Landscape: Beyond Traditional Boundaries

The debt vs. equity conversation continues to evolve over time based on several factors, including current market conditions. In fact, debt financing is more attractive now thanks to attractive interest rates and more favorable conditions, especially when you consider that you won’t have to sell off and lose control of part of your startup.

Alternative debt providers and venture debt options are also gaining popularity. Yet, more than $3.2 trillion was raised by startups from VCs to establish equity in the period from 2012 to 2022, establishing equity dominance.

The Strategic Evolution of Startup Financing

Startups are becoming much more financially literate today. Many work with fractional CFOs and implement robust accounting practices to ensure that financial records are accurate and transparent. This level of financial literacy can also help startup leadership adapt and evolve to ensure profitability timelines stay in check.

This enhanced financial discipline also tends to make startups more attractive to debt providers, as there’s more certainty that all debts will be paid on time.

Equity Financing: The Capital and Partnership Approach

Is equity financing right for your startup? Equity financing involves selling off ownership shares to investors in exchange for funding.

There are many types of equity investors, from conventional VCs to angel investors to strategic investors. VCs tend to fund startups in their early stages and look for startups with high growth potential. Strategic investors seek to gain competitive advantages through investments, while angel investors tend to be high-net-worth individuals who invest their own money and offer entrepreneurship experience.

Investors tend to have a long-term role in the startups they invest in, involving themselves in strategic decision-making and shaping governance.

The Advantages of Equity Financing

The benefits of equity financing include:

• There’s no pressure to repay: Rather than have to budget for paying back debt, startups can reinvest revenue earned into their growth.
• Value beyond capital: Beyond capital, equity financing allows startups to enter the inner circles of their investors, which can be beneficial for mentorship, networking and gaining industry expertise.
• Risk sharing: Investors share in both risk and reward, which can help align interests for long-term success.
• Scalability potential: Ideal for high-growth ventures, startups have the potential to reach significant capital amounts.

Equity financing also tends to be the preferred financing route for startups. It’s estimated that it represents about 90 percent of startup funding raised. In many cases, investors are betting on a startup’s future profits as a return on their capital and involvement.

The Drawbacks and Risks of Equity Financing

If equity financing goes well, it can create a true, mutually beneficial partnership. However, keep in mind that, in exchange for funding, you’re selling off ownership stakes in your startup, so investors will have a say in how things are run. Other drawbacks of equity financing beyond loss of control include:

• Diluted ownership: Based on an analysis of 30 SaaS firms, the average founder equity at an IPO is just 15 percent.
• Added pressure: Investors can demand certain returns, which can influence decision-making and lead to friction between investors and startup leadership.
• Enhanced cost over time: A $1 million equity investment at a $5 million valuation can cost a startup $3 million if exiting at $15 million.
• It’s complicated: Earning equity financing is hard work. It’s a laborious process that involves pitching investors, creating presentations and negotiating to reach an agreement.

Debt Financing: The Capital Preservation Strategy

Debt financing involves borrowing funds from a financial institution to finance operations. While startups retain full ownership of their operations, they must repay the debt with interest payments. There are various types of debt, including traditional bank loans, business loans, personal loans, lines of credit, venture debt financing and revenue-based financing.

It’s important to note the difference between startup debt and traditional business lending. While traditional business lending involves established businesses, startup lending is more focused on the potential to secure funding rather than repayment.

The Advantages of Debt Financing

Some of the key benefits of debt financing include:

• Ownership preservation and operational independence: Founders retain all ownership and lenders don’t interfere with strategic decisions.
• Lower overall cost: Debt financing is usually significantly less costly than equity financing over time.
• Terms are predictable: Startups know their repayment requirements and can budget accordingly.
• There are tax advantages: Interest is typically tax-deductible, which can help come tax time.
• Fast access: Debt financing is much faster than equity fundraising cycles.

The Drawbacks and Risks of Debt Financing

Some of the disadvantages of debt financing include:

• You have to repay: Repaying debt can strain cash flow. Failure to repay can result in an asset seizure or even the complete closure of your startup.
• Collateral: In some cases, founders may need to put business or personal assets on the line as a type of security deposit.
• Revenue requirements: Startups may have to prove revenue and cash flow predictability to attain certain amounts.
• Operational restrictions: In some cases, there may be operational restrictions placed on startups that limit their flexibility.

Strategic Decision Framework: When to Choose Each Option

So when should your startup choose debt financing or equity financing? There are several factors to consider, from your startup’s stage to its capital needs to its current growth trajectory. Here’s a closer look at the optimal scenarios for each:

Optimal Scenarios for Equity Financing

Equity financing is the ideal choice for startups when:

• Startups have limited revenue or an unproven business model.
• Your startup has high growth potential but requires significant upfront investment.
• You need to get a product or service to market quickly.
• You have a desire to tap into investor networks.
• Your startup expects long development cycles.

Optimal Scenarios for Debt Financing

You may seek debt financing options when:

• You have more predictable cash flows that can support on-time repayment.
• Your startup has short-term financing needs.
• You want to maintain control over your startup and how it’s run.
• There’s a need to extend your cash runway between funding rounds.

The Hybrid Approach: Optimizing Capital Structure

In some cases, startups will combine debt and equity financing or use sequential financing, where different funding types are used at different growth stages. For example, debt financing can extend cash runway between fundraising rounds and improve valuation, while equity financing can help generate large sums of capital during fundraising rounds.

Creating the Optimal Capital Mix

Here’s guidance on how to strategically balance debt and equity financing:

• Consider equity financing for building a foundation and debt financing for scaling your startup. Equity financing can be used as your startup matures and expands.
• Use debt to preserve equity.
• A balance of debt and equity financing can help mitigate risk.
• Venture capitalists and venture capital firms tend to favor startups with some venture debt, at least to an extent. It can signal strength and momentum, help avoid equity dilution and reduce the cost of capital. However, debt levels that are too high can increase financial risk, so striking the right balance is key.

Industry-Specific Considerations and Best Practices

Different types of startups should approach equity and debt financing differently and base decisions on a combination of revenue streams, business models, regulatory considerations and financing stability.

SaaS Startups: The Recurring Revenue Advantage

SaaS startups are in a particularly unique situation when navigating financing decisions. They tend to be attractive to debt providers because they work on a recurring revenue model, especially if metrics such as ARR, churn and LTV/CAC are favorable. Venture debt helps SaaS startups fund growth, especially if revenue streams are predictable and there’s a clear path to profitability. These strong fundamentals often make it easier to secure debt financing on favorable terms. However, equity financing remains an option, especially for SaaS startups that require large amounts of capital.

Making the Right Choice: Expert Financial Guidance

Contact Graphite today for more information on whether debt or equity financing (or a combination of both) is right for your startup and for implementing the right financial infrastructure for successful fundraising outcomes. As a leader in helping startups establish successful financial structures and navigate complex decisions, we aim to serve as an extension of your startup to help fuel your growth. Whether you’re looking to optimize cash flow, secure venture capital, or raise money through strategic funding, contact us today for more information and to schedule a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I determine if my startup is ready for debt financing?

If your startup has a clear business plan, positive cash flow, good credit and a need for funding, it’s likely an ideal candidate for debt financing.

What percentage of equity should I expect to give up in a Series A round?

Most startups can expect to give up between 20 and 25 percent of their equity during Series A fundraising.

Can I use both debt and equity financing simultaneously?

Yes, hybrid financing is a common approach for many startups.

How do different financing choices affect my company’s valuation?

Different financing choices impact capital structure, risk profile and perceived value to investors.

What financial metrics do debt providers look for in startups?

When assessing startups, lenders assess operating cash flow, cash runway, revenue growth, and net profit margin, among other factors.

When should I consider convertible debt vs. traditional equity?

Convertible debt vs. traditional equity should be considered in a few scenarios. These include if you’re in the very early stages of operation with no valuation, if you need to raise capital quickly, if you want to maintain control over your startup or if you need financing between fundraising rounds.

How does my choice of financing affect future fundraising rounds?

Both debt and equity financing impact future fundraising rounds in different ways. For instance, equity financing dilutes ownership and future rounds further dilute ownership. With debt financing, lenders may view existing debt as problematic and higher risk. There are also legal and valuation implications.

What are the tax implications of debt vs. equity financing?

Debt financing tends to be more tax-friendly, as interest can be written off. Equity financing involves non-tax-deductible dividends and may even result in double taxation in some situations, making it less attractive.

How do I model the true cost of different financing options?

Make sure you’re considering more than just interest rates with debt financing, but also fees, terms and any tax impact. Equity financing tends to be much more difficult to assess, as it involves a number of different variables.

What role should my fractional CFO play in financing decisions?

A fractional CFO can serve as an extension of your startup in everything from financial forecasting and modeling to financing decisions. A fractional CFO can help advise on key financial decisions in the best interest of your startup.