Close Menu
August 6, 2025
5 min read

The guide to revenue-based financing

All you need to know about revenue-based financing.

What is revenue-based financing (and should you use it)?

Startups need capital to grow, but not every founder wants to give up equity or take on rigid loan repayments. That’s where revenue-based financing (RBF) comes in.

Revenue-based financing is a form of non-dilutive funding where repayments are tied directly to your company’s future revenue.

Instead of paying fixed installments, you repay a percentage of your monthly sales. So payments flex with performance.

Also known as revenue-based loans, revenue share financing, or revenue-based funding, this alternative financing instrument is increasingly popular among SaaS startups and subscription-based businesses with predictable income streams.

RBF is already well-established in the U.S. and U.K., and it’s gaining traction in Germany and across Europe. With the global market expected to surpass $9.8 billion in 2025, revenue-based financing has become an option for startup funding and high-growth companies.

In this guide, you'll learn:

  • How revenue-based financing works
  • Its pros and cons compared to equity or bank loans
  • When to use it, and when not to
  • Who offers RBF in Europe and beyond

re:cap_Overview of revenue-based financing
Revenue-based financing in a nutshell.

TL;DR

Benefit Description
Non-dilutive Unlike traditional equity financing, RBF does not dilute the ownership stake of existing shareholders.
Performance-based repayments RBF repayments are tied to the company’s revenue. Repayments are made when the company is generating revenue, and the amount can increase or decrease depending on the company’s performance.
Flexible terms RBF agreements typically have more flexible terms than traditional debt financing. This means that the repayment terms can be tailored to the specific needs of the company and its investors.

What is revenue-based financing? (Definition)

Revenue-based financing is an alternative debt financing instrument with which early-stage and growth companies (scale-ups) secure debt from investors.

This funding approach is non-dilutive, companies do not have to sell shares in exchange for raising equity capital.

Instead, RBF provides an alternative or complementary option to equity financing. It adds another layer to a company's capital structure.

How does revenue-based financing work?

In a revenue-based financing (RBF) agreement, investors provide capital upfront, and the company repays it as a fixed percentage of monthly revenue. It is typically between 5% and 15%.

These repayments continue until a repayment cap is reached, usually 1.5x to 3x the original investment.

Flexible repayment tied to performance

Unlike traditional loans, RBF has:

  • No fixed interest
  • No set maturity date
  • No personal guarantees

Instead, repayment speed depends entirely on revenue performance:

  • If revenue grows quickly → repayment finishes faster.
  • If revenue slows → repayment stretches over a longer period.

This flexibility benefits both sides: founders avoid fixed debt burdens, and investors share the upside (and downside) of revenue growth.

Shared incentives, not fixed schedules

With RBF, investors are aligned with founders. Both want to see consistent, predictable revenue growth. This sets RBF apart from traditional loans or venture debt, where lenders care more about collateral and fixed repayment terms.

Note: The repayment period is not indefinite. Most RBF deals fall into two categories: Short-term: <12 months, smaller amounts and Long-term: Up to 60 months, larger tickets

Short-term revenue-based financing

  • Period up to 12 months
  • Financing amount up to €100,000 or 2-4 monthly revenues 
  • Refinance seasonal actions, events, hardware, or office equipment
  • Investors are usually fintech, which provides a fully automated handling of all processes and can finance smaller funding sizes

Long-term revenue-based financing

  • Period up to 60 months
  • Financing amounts up to several million euros
  • Refinance of all company’s expenses, such as operations, or large one-time expenses like M&A
  • Investors are usually funds that are committed to long-term partnerships, including consulting, networking, and follow-up financing

Let’s illustrate that with a simple calculation.

Fuel you growth – without giving up equity

Get up to €5M in non-dilutive funding with re:cap. Calculate your funding terms and see how much growth capital you could get.

Calculate your funding terms

Example for revenue-based financing for companies

The conditions:

  • A company generates monthly recurring revenue (MRR) of €500,000 at the beginning of the financing.
  • Now, it is in touch with an RBF investor and wants to raise €500,000. 
  • The company agrees with the RBF investor on a monthly revenue share of 10%. 
  • The cap of the repayment amount is at a maximum of €1,000,000.
Month Company Revenue Monthly Repayment (10%)
1€500,000€50,000
2€530,000€53,000
3€590,000€59,000
4€620,000€62,000
5€670,000€67,000
6€700,000€70,000
7€800,000€80,000
8€850,000€85,000
9€920,000€92,000
10€1,050,000€105,000
11€1,200,000€120,000
12€1,570,000€157,000
Total €10,000,000 €1,000,000

Due to the steady revenue growth, the company has repaid its financing to the investor after 12 months. Revenue growth is the only criterion that determines the margin of repayment. Why?

Investors thoroughly assess a company’s financials 

With revenue based financing, there are no classic repayment or interest rates. It is based only on revenue growth.

Thus, for investors it is essential to conduct a data-based analysis of the company's financial metrics.

Since the return on investment expected by investors is tied to future revenues, this assessment has to be in-depth and solid.

Investors treat revenue and the customer base as assets that need to be valued. They focus on asset-light businesses within the tech and platform environment.

For the assessment, the investor analyzes different financial KPIs. The basis is revenue, customer base, cash flow, and bank data. These KPIs are pivotal in determining the investment decision, the amount of financing, and its percentage share of revenue.

Among those metrics are:

  • Monthly and annual revenue growth (MRR/ARR)
  • Customer Churn Rate
  • Customer Concentration
  • Net Dollar Retention (NDR)

These financial metrics allow investors a better analysis of companies with recurring revenues, which are likely from the SaaS or software industry. They can make better-informed predictions about the revenue development of those companies. 

Therefore, startups considering revenue-based financing should have relevant and up-to-date data available before raising capital.

Who qualifies for revenue-based financing?

Eligibility Factor Description
Stable and growing revenue Revenue-based financing is suitable for companies with predictable and growing future revenues—especially recurring revenue—which simplifies investor calculations.
High gross margins Companies with high gross margins are better positioned to manage the monthly capital costs associated with revenue-based financing.
Product-market fit A well-functioning product is essential. Consistent revenue and healthy margins typically require strong product-market fit as a foundation.

Not every company is a fit for revenue-based financing (RBF).

To secure funding, you’ll need to prove that your business generates stable, recurring revenue and has the margins to sustain repayments.

Common eligibility benchmarks

  • Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR): Typically €30,000 or more
  • Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR): €300,000 to €1M+
  • Gross Margin: Ideally 60% or higher
  • Churn: Low and improving
  • Retention: Net Dollar Retention (NDR) above 100% is a plus

Why this matters: RBF investors don’t get equity or interest. They’re paid out of future revenue. So your predictability and margin profile directly influence how much you can raise and on what terms.

Ideal candidates for RBF are SaaS, subscription commerce, and platform businesses with strong customer retention and reliable MRR.

Until startups have met these three conditions, debt funding – and thus RBF – rarely makes sense or is a good option.

Revenue-based funding for startups

Due to these criteria, revenue focused financing has established itself in recent years primarily for two types of companies: startups and growth-focused companies from the tech sector.

However, this is not the only reason. For quite some time, tech startups had no access to debt financing.

While traditional banks seek tangible assets like machines or real estate and favor profitability, this was something software and SaaS companies could not provide as security. 

Tech startups focus on "soft" assets like customer base and revenue. Due to the lack of (data) expertise, this kind of business model is outside the risk profile of a bank or other traditional financial institutions.

Moreover, companies in their growth phase do not solely focus on profitability. 

Meanwhile, a bank's lending criteria do not consider this type of asset sufficient to raise debt. That's why classic debt financing instruments (traditional loans) are not easy accessible for startup funding.

Revenue financing is an alternative to traditional debt 

For business owners and startups, the only way to get capital was to sell shares in exchange for equity – with all the negative consequences attached to it:

  • In the event of an exit or IPO, investors receive part of the profits.
  • Due to the dilution, new shareholders receive co-determination, voting, and control rights over the company. The founders lose influence on decisions and the direction of their own company.
  • VC financing ties up the company's resources (due diligence) and the founder's time (negotiations). It incurs legal and consulting costs, and months can pass before money is in the bank account.

Revenue-based funding enables startups and scaleups to raise debt on an alternative path trough venture lending – without diluting shares and assigning new seats at the table.

re:cap_criteria to use revenue-based financing
Important criteria for the use revenue-based financing.

When not to use revenue-based financing

While flexible and founder-friendly, RBF isn’t right for every business.

You should avoid RBF if

  • You’re pre-revenue or early-stage (no predictable cash flow yet)
  • Your revenue is seasonal or highly volatile
  • You don’t have a product-market fit (yet)
  • Your gross margins are low (e.g. physical goods with <30% margin)
  • You plan to raise VC soon and want maximum short-term runway

RBF is a smart option after you’ve proven that your revenue engine works. If you’re still iterating your product or acquisition model, equity may give you more breathing room.

Remember: RBF is a debt instrument. If you can't reasonably forecast revenue, you’re taking on risk without the upside protection that equity provides.

What are the pros of revenue-based financing?

Funding based on future revenues has the great advantage that startups can tap into a new source of capital that is not based on equity and thus doesn’t affect the dilution of shares. 

Pros Description
Non-dilutive funding Startups can raise capital without giving up equity, preserving ownership and avoiding share dilution.
Long-term runway extension RBF can help extend the cash runway, giving founders flexibility to delay their next VC round until the timing is more favorable.
Improved liquidity Enhances the company’s cash position and strengthens financial stability.
No additional securities required Unlike traditional debt, RBF doesn’t require personal guarantees, warrants, or other collateral beyond recurring revenue.
Founders retain control With no equity dilution, founders maintain full strategic and operational control of their company.

What are the cons of revenue-based financing?

However, revenue-based finance has not only advantages but also disadvantages. It is because not all companies and business models are eligible for it.

Cons Description
Revenue consistency required Companies must demonstrate recurring and predictable revenue streams — a key eligibility factor for RBF providers.
High gross margins expected To absorb the cost of capital, startups need high gross margins. Otherwise, repayments can eat into operating profits.
Predictable growth is essential RBF investors seek startups with clear growth trajectories. If future growth is uncertain, they won’t invest.
Costs increase with growth The faster a company grows, the quicker it hits the repayment threshold — accelerating returns for investors and increasing the internal rate of return (IRR) cost to the company.
Capital efficiency risk RBF funding is typically disbursed in full upfront, but startups often can’t deploy it immediately. This leads to idle cash, overfunding, and a higher cost of capital.

Real founder pain points: what RBF solves (and doesn’t)

RBF gained traction for a reason: it speaks to real frustrations founders face with traditional funding.

Common pain points RBF addresses:

  • "I don’t want to give up more equity just to hire 3 sales reps."
  • "VCs are dragging out due diligence for 3+ months."
  • “" need €200k to scale marketing, not €2M in a priced round."
  • "I want optionality, not another board seat."

But here’s what it won’t solve:

  • Deep product or market fit issues
  • Unclear unit economics
  • Structural cash burn without a path to profitability
  • Lack of revenue visibility

Think of RBF as performance-aligned funding. It gives founders more speed, less dilution, and cleaner capital. However, it assumes you’ve already built a working growth engine.

The differences between revenue-based Financing vs. debt and equity-based financing

RBF is a type of funding where a company raises capital from investors and agrees to repay it as a percentage of future revenue.

Payments fluctuate with revenue, making it flexible. There’s no loss of ownership, but costs can be higher if revenue grows quickly.

Debt-based financing involves borrowing a fixed amount of money that must be repaid with interest. Payments are usually fixed, regardless of revenue. It doesn’t dilute ownership but creates a repayment obligation, which can strain cash flow.

Equity-based Financing means raising capital by selling shares in the company. There’s no obligation to repay, but it dilutes ownership and control. Investors typically expect significant returns through company growth or an exit event (like an IPO or sale).

Key differences

  • Repayment: RBF depends on revenue; debt has fixed payments; equity has no repayment.
  • Ownership: RBF and debt don’t dilute ownership, while equity does.
  • Risk: RBF is less risky when revenue is unpredictable, debt is risky if cash flow is tight, and equity is risky if founders lose control.
  • Cost: RBF can be costly if revenue grows rapidly; debt is usually cheaper if the business is stable; equity can be costly if the company’s value increases significantly.

Revenue-Based Financing vs. Debt vs. Equity

Feature Revenue-Based Financing Traditional Debt (Loan) Equity Financing (VC / Angels)
Repayment structure % of monthly revenue Fixed installments + interest No repayment (investors seek exit gain)
Dilution No No Yes
Cost of capital Medium–High (IRR-based) Low–Medium (interest rate) High (ownership dilution)
Repayment timeline Flexible (performance-based) Fixed term (e.g. 36 months) None
Investor control None None Board seats, voting rights
Speed of funding Fast (days–weeks) Medium (1–2 months) Slow (2–6 months + due diligence)
Use of funds Growth initiatives Capex, working capital Growth, R&D, team scaling
Risk profile Shared with investor On founder/company On investor
Best suited for Post-revenue, recurring revenue Profitable, asset-backed Early-stage, high-growth potential
Flexibility High Low High
Common in SaaS, eCom, subscriptions Asset-heavy or stable cashflow Tech, AI, disruptive models

TL;DR

  • Choose RBF if you have stable revenue, don’t want dilution, and need flexible, fast growth capital.
  • Choose Debt if you’re profitable, need predictable repayments, and want the lowest capital cost.
  • Choose Equity if you’re early-stage, need big capital, and can afford to give up control.

Recurring revenue financing and revenue-based financing

Another form of revenue financing is recurring revenue financing (RRF). It is also suitable for startups and early-stage companies focussing on growth.

With RRF, companies raise debt. The financing amount and interest rate are based on the level of recurring revenues. The use cases of RBF and RRF are overlapping, only the repayment terms differ.

RRF means fixed costs in advance

The difference: The costs of RRF are fixed at the beginning of a contract and remain throughout the entire period. They are not attached to revenue growth. 

Debt is usually only allocated up to a financing limit, which depends on the annual recurring revenue of a company.

Revenue-based financing is for for early-stage companies

For companies with constant and recurring revenues, revenue-based financing is a good option and an ideal complement to a traditional loan (debt financing), venture capital (equity financing), or venture debt

The company is dedicated to its performance and lets investors participate in future revenue growth but without giving up control over its company. 

Both sides, investors and companies, pursue the same goal: steady revenue growth. It helps the investors, who get a faster return on their investment, and the company, which increases its value. 

For startups, this flexibility means that capital costs adapt to their growth. If future revenues don't develop as expected, repayment and fixed interest rates do not become a permanent burden.

Summary: Revenue-based financing

Revenue-based financing (RBF) is a non-dilutive funding method where companies raise capital by pledging a percentage of future revenues to investors.

Ideal for startups with recurring revenues (like SaaS businesses), RBF offers flexible repayment tied to performance, allowing companies to maintain control without selling equity.

However, RBF has challenges.

Companies need predictable revenues to attract investors, and rapid growth can increase costs due to a higher internal rate of return.

Additionally, receiving funds upfront may lead to overfunding if not immediately utilized. Despite this, RBF is a flexible alternative to traditional loans or equity financing.

Q&Q: Revenue-based financing

What is a revenue-based financing?

Revenue-based financing (RBF) is a funding method where investors provide capital in exchange for a percentage of the company’s ongoing gross revenue until a predetermined repayment amount is met.

What is the difference between revenue-based financing and equity financing?

In RBF, investors receive a percentage of revenue without taking ownership, while equity financing involves selling company shares, giving investors partial ownership and a share of future profits.

What is income based financing?

Income-based financing is a funding model where repayment amounts are tied to the company’s income, typically structured as a percentage of revenue or profit.

What is a revenue-based financing cost?

The cost of RBF is the total repayment amount, which usually includes the original investment plus a fixed multiple (e.g., 1.5x). Repayments vary based on revenue performance.

What is the accounting treatment for revenue-based financing?

RBF is recorded as a liability on the balance sheet. Repayments are treated as expenses, and the interest or return on investment is recognized over time as revenue is generated.

Fuel you growth – without giving up equity

Get up to €5M in non-dilutive funding with re:cap. Calculate your funding terms and see how much growth capital you could get.

Calculate your funding terms

FAQs

Didn’t find an answer? Talk to us.

How do SaaS companies work?

SaaS stands for Software-as-a-Service and refers to a licensing and distribution model by which companies offer software solutions online as a service.

What growth stages do SaaS companies go through?

After the preparatory early-stage phase, the product goes live, becomes better known, and establishes itself in the market, before the customer base ideally expands significantly and finally either a company sale, a merger, or further growth takes place.

Why is revenue financing ideal for SaaS companies?

In the important second growth phase, when SaaS companies are already on the market and generating recurring revenue, revenue financing provides flexible SaaS funding based on the ARR without dilution or loss of control.

What is ARR?

ARR refers to annual recurring revenue. Specifically, in the subscription economy, ARR refers to the annual value of regular revenue generated through subscriptions.

What does ACV mean?

ACV stands for Annual Contract Value and in a SaaS business, it refers to the average annual value of a subscription - i.e., the holistic contract value excluding one-time fees divided by the contract term in years.

FAQs

Didn’t find an answer? Talk to us.

What is a corporate loan?

As a counterpart to the personal loan, the corporate loan serves entrepreneurial purposes - as a short-term cash injection for liquidity needs or as an investment for long-term growth. Entrepreneurs use the borrowed capital, for example, for new personnel, a larger office, marketing, better hardware, or the company's establishment.

What kind of business loans are there?

A short-term business loan runs for a few months or years, while a long-term loan runs for several years. If a company needs capital quickly, an overdraft is an excellent short-term loan financing option - there are not many conditions to be met for this, as the principle is similar to an overdraft.

What are the providers of business loans?

There are many providers of business loans. Three overriding types come into focus:
- via the principal bank
- state-subsidized
- digital solutions
The first way is via the branch banks. The options are diverse, whether long-term or short-term credit, investment or working capital credit, just like the linked conditions. Subsidized corporate loans are also run through the house bank, but regional or nationwide development banks (such as KfW) are involved here.
Modern solutions come from FinTechs that specialize in smart financing. Whether credit or alternative, this is where startups and large companies meet technology-savvy innovators of the digital age.

What is the advantage of corporate loans?

A corporate loan is usually available quickly. In addition, because it is debt financing, founders do not have to give up control as well as company shares and do not have to share profits with lenders.

What is the disadvantage of business loans?

Business loans come with interest and are often tied to a specific purpose, so entrepreneurs are limited in how they can use the capital. It is also usually a restrictive concept with strict repayment terms, warrants, and very little flexibility - which is why many companies are looking for a suitable loan alternative.

How do credit and loans differ?

Some refer to short-term financial assistance and a smaller amount as a loan and to longer terms and higher capital as a loan. However, the terms are usually used interchangeably.

What are the interest rates on corporate loans?

They can be less than 1% or in the double digits. The credit rating determines this: the higher the risk class, the higher the interest rates. The amount of capital, term and any collateral also determine the interest rate. Therefore, it is always a good idea to compare different corporate loans.

Who grants corporate loans?

Companies can obtain the traditional loan from their principal bank - a government subsidy via federal or regional development banks is also possible. Modern variants come from FinTechs, which use technology-driven solutions for smart financing.

What are the alternatives to corporate loans?

Various financing solutions work with equity and debt. With equity financing such as venture capital, founders lose valuable company shares and often have to give a say. A particularly smart alternative to corporate loans and equity financing is non-dilutive, non-restrictive and very flexible turnover financing.

What is the best credit alternative?

There is no all-comprising answer to this question, as financing is always an individual solution. However, recurring revenue financing is increasingly establishing itself as a particularly attractive and popular alternative to loans and equity financing.

What makes re:cap stand out as an alternative to loans?

With re:cap, SaaS companies can obtain growth capital very easily and quickly - up to 50% of ARR. The innovative funding works with planned revenues and also flexibly aligns repayments accordingly. In addition to on-demand financing, re:cap offers valuable insights and benchmarks on request.

FAQs

Didn’t find an answer? Talk to us.

What does debt financing mean?

In debt financing, companies receive a certain amount of money from an external investor. The company holds the debt capital for a limited period and must be repaid - usually with interest and within a fixed time duration.

What does debt capital include?

Debt capital includes typical liabilities of a company, such as loans, bonds, and provisions, as well as unique forms like deferred income.

What are examples of debt financing?

There are various types of debt financing, which can basically be divided into short-term and long-term debt. Unique and mixed forms are also possible - examples:
- Short-term: overdraft, trade credit, acceptance credit
- Long-term: promissory note loans, bonds, long-term bank loans
- Special form: leasing, factoring, asset-backed securities
- Mixed form: mezzanine as a mix of equity and debt financing

What is short-term debt capital?

Short-term debt capital is provided to companies for a short period of time - repayment usually takes place within a few months. Such capital is primarily used to meet short-term liquidity needs.

What is long-term debt?

Long-term debt capital is provided to companies for a longer period of time - repayment usually occurs within several years. The capital is used for investments.

What is the difference between equity and debt financing?

From the perspective of the capital providers, it is primarily a question of liability because, in the case of equity financing, capital providers are liable for entrepreneurial activities. In return, they usually receive a share and benefit directly from the profits. Because founders relinquish shares and entrepreneurial control, this is referred to as a dilutive type of financing. This is not the case with debt financing, which involves interest and is generally more restrictive.

FAQs

Didn’t find an answer? Talk to us.

How can I finance my startup?

From bank loans to private savings to equity financing: There are many ways to finance a startup - through external providers and your own capital. As a novel and popular solution, so-called revenue financing is also becoming more and more established in Germany.

Which companies fund startups?

In addition to investment companies from the venture capital segment, there are innovative FinTech companies such as re:cap. They innovate to create modern funding solutions. re:cap enables companies in the subscription economy to trade future revenues for on-demand, non-dilutive capital. Fast, transparent and easy.

Who is startup funding with re:cap suitable for?

The funding solution from re:cap is specifically aimed at subscription companies that reach a growing customer base with their already launched product and generate predictable, recurring revenues. In addition, the legal entity must be at least partially located in the EU.

How quickly can I get startup funding?

As long as you are within your financing limit, you can access new funds as often as you like. The financing limit will be increased based on the growth of your business and the track record on the re:cap platform.
The funding will typically arrive in your bank accounts within two business days once it gets approved.

FAQs

Didn’t find an answer? Talk to us.

What is working capital?

Working capital is also called operating working capital. It is the difference between current assets and current liabilities and, as a balance sheet ratio, provides information on companies' capital stock and financial strength.

What does working capital tell us?

The working capital figure shows which funds are tied up in regular company operations - it can also be used to determine whether working capital financing is necessary.

Is high working capital good or bad?

A positive value shows that current assets can cover current liabilities - this is important in terms of the golden rule of the balance sheet. A negative value conveys a risk, because affected companies are considered to be illiquid. This can lead to financial bottlenecks.

Can working capital be too high?

The question of working capital levels is answered differently depending on the company or business model - especially across industries. However, working capital levels that are too high often indicate that working capital is being used less wisely and that too much cash is being tied up.

What are examples of working capital?

In business management, working capital is usually indirect and long-term goods that companies need for their products and services. A distinction is made between tangible resources, such as warehouse and office space, and intangible ones, such as licenses.

How does working capital financing work?

Working capital financing allows companies to increase their working capital and generate positive value. It provides them with short-term cash to pay liabilities or make investments.

What are the different working capital options?

Working capital financing is multifaceted. Depending on the industry and business model, various types may therefore be considered, such as drawing on the credit line, receivables credit, factoring, and inventory lending. Increasingly popular are alternative solutions such as non-dilutive and non-restrictive sales-based financing.

FAQs

Didn’t find an answer? Talk to us.

What is a convertible loan?

The definition of a convertible loan is simple: it is a normal loan in which the company does not repay the borrowed amount after the expiration of the term, but converts it into company shares. It is therefore technically a combination of both equity and debt.

How does a convertible loan work?

The following scenario is a typical example of a convertible loan: A company receives capital with a predefined interest rate. The parties agree on a term and also a discount on the company's shares, which acts as a risk compensation. At the end of the term, the investor receives the shares in the amount of the convertible loan plus interest - so-called qualified capital for the company.

How high are convertible loans?

Usually, convertible loans are around 100,000€ - but they can also be up to 400,000€ and more. To collect as much capital as possible, start-ups often arrange several convertible loans with different investors.

What should a convertible loan agreement regulate?

In principle, there is freedom of contract here - a convertible loan agreement is therefore not subject to any legal rules. The following components are the basis: the amount of the loan, the interest rate and discount, and the term. In addition, some parties agree on a cap (maximum valuation) or a floor (minimum valuation). Subordination is also included in many convertible loan agreements.

What is an alternative to the convertible loan?

Founders can obtain convertible loans quickly and easily and use them flexibly. These advantages also characterize re:cap's convertible financing. However, convertible financing involves giving away shares. This is not the case with re:cap's solution, which is non-dilutive funding for sustainable growth. Therefore, it is an ideal alternative to the convertible loan.

FAQs

Didn’t find an answer? Talk to us.

Is crowdfunding free of charge?

No. In case of success - i.e. if your project reaches its target budget - you pay platform and transaction fees between 4 and 12 percent to the crowdfunding platform. The exact amount depends on the platform. If your campaign fails, you pay nothing.

Why is crowdfunding so popular?

Crowdfunding brings many advantages. The fact that the legal form and creditworthiness of the project do not play a role in crowdfunding certainly plays a major role in its popularity. Thus, especially creative people and artists of all kinds, as well as non-profit initiatives, can collect money for their projects. The positive marketing effects, as well as customer proximity and loyalty, also ensure the good reputation of crowdfunding.

Who is crowdfunding suitable for?

Crowdfunding originates in the artistic sector for financing various creative projects in the fields of music, film, theater, and art. Today, however, it is also used by private individuals, non-profit organizations, and companies of all kinds - whether in the startup phase or as a boost in ongoing operations.

What are the different variants of crowdfunding?

There are four types of crowdfunding, which differ primarily in the consideration:
1) In equity based crowdfunding, investors receive returns on their investments.
2) In reward based crowdfunding, the initiators provide non-cash or intangible compensation for the investment.
3) In donation based crowdfunding, investors donate their contribution.
4) In lending based crowdfunding, the investors grant private loans with a fixed interest rate to the initiators.

How do I receive crowdfunding?

Whether you are a startup or a medium-sized company: crowdfunding can theoretically be 'applied for' by anyone. However, success depends on how many investors are convinced by the project. Anyone who wants to try their hand at crowdfunding must first create a campaign on one of the common crowdfunding platforms and advertise it on their own channels.

Does crowdfunding make sense?

Crowdfunding offers particularly many advantages for private, non-profit, and creative projects - or as a supplement to public funding. In addition, crowdfunding can be particularly worthwhile for early-stage startups that have largely completed their product development and now need fresh capital for growth. Young companies that want to test their business model or product can also benefit from the communication and participation of a crowdfunding campaign - providing an indicator for other forms of financing.

Is crowdfunding proprietary or debt financing?

Crowdfunding is financing based on debt capital. The capital provided comes from a large number of investors, mostly private individuals and companies - the so-called crowd or swarm. Hence the term 'crowd financing'.

What are the alternatives to crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding is considered an alternative financing option, which is opposed by several common alternatives (or supplements). Among them are public funding, corporate credits, venture capital, or even founder competitions. Newer forms of financing, such as re:cap's recurring revenue financing, offer another alternative to crowdfunding.

FAQs

Didn’t find an answer? Talk to us.

What is factoring?

The definition of factoring is simple: to quickly receive the money from open invoices and generate liquidity, companies hire a factor who settles the outstanding payments as an advance and takes over the accounts receivable management. It is therefore a sale of receivables.

How does the selling receivables work?

The factor checks the verity of the invoice and the creditworthiness and default risk of the debtor. Then the factor pays the majority of the outstanding invoice amount to the contracting company, usually within 48 hours. After the factor has collected the receivable from the debtor, the company receives the remaining gross amount that the factor has retained as security.

What types of factoring are there?

Anyone interested in factoring should take a closer look at their options because there are differences. In recourse factoring, the factor bears the full risk of default. Less secure - from the point of view of the selling company - is non-recourse, in which there is no protection against bad debts. If companies do not want their customers to know about factoring, they can choose the silent option.

What are the risks involved in factoring?

Since there is a large number of factoring companies, companies can quickly end up with a provider whose credit rating itself is weak. However, the performance of a factor is not always directly apparent. In the worst case, the assigned factor goes insolvent and the company loses a lot of money. In addition, some customers see it as a sign of mistrust if it is not the company providing the service that demands payment but a third party unknown to them - this could be circumvented by silent factoring.

What are the costs of factoring?

There is no single answer to this question because the fees are very opaque - based on various key business figures. In addition, the total costs are not only made up of a clearly defined factoring fee but of several items. Interest often accrues as well.

What are the most popular alternatives to factoring?

TexSince factoring is revenue-based financing, other revenue financing options are also great alternatives to factoring. This is also true for re:cap's solution - it is tailor-made for companies with a subscription business model that generate predictable, recurring revenue.t

FAQs

Didn’t find an answer? Talk to us.

What are venture capital alternatives?

Venture capital is not suitable at all times - and not for every type of company. Common alternatives are:
- Venture debt (hybrid debt financing),
- Founder competitions,
- Government subsidies
- or alternative forms of financing,such as crowdfunding.
Companies with subscription business models can also exchange their future revenues for immediately available capital - with re:cap financing.

When is venture capital worthwhile?

Generally for founders and entrepreneurs in the growth phase. But not every startup is attractive to investors. Venture capital funding is worthwhile when the business idea is innovative, the sales argument is clearly recognizable, and the founding team is convincing. In addition, the market must promise growth.

How do I get venture capital?

Private venture capitalists, also known as business angels, and so-called venture capital companies provide equity capital. But not just like that. If you want to go into fundraising, you have to be convincing. Prerequisites are a watertight pitch, a realistic understanding of the current company valuation, the amount of capital needed and the time frame in which the capital is needed.

How does venture capital work?

Venture capital is a form of private equity financing in which venture capital companies provide capital to promising unlisted companies in exchange for a stake in the company. Those who want to grow their company with venture capital must first contact investors and convince them of the company's merits.

How long does venture capital take?

Often several months pass between the start of fundraising and the receipt of venture capital. The pitch only follows after the founding team has identified potential investors. Afterward, the company is preliminarily reviewed by the potential investors. If this goes well, a term sheet is signed, followed by due diligence. The capital will flow only when the investment documentation has been completed.
If you can't or don't want to wait that long, you can look for alternative forms of financing like the one offered by re:cap. With re:cap you can bridge the time to the next round and thus, optimize the upcoming financing round. At the same time, this increases your options when looking for investors.

FAQs

Didn’t find an answer? Talk to us.

What is alternative financing?

These are forms of financing that companies can use as an alternative to established models such as loans - they are often modern solutions that are quickly and easily available digitally.

What are the different types of alternative financing?

The market for alternative financing options is growing, so companies can already choose a model that suits them individually. The better-known ones include convertible loans, factoring, crowdfunding, and venture debt. Alternative debt instruments, including recurring revenue financing or revenue-based financing, which have been successfully established in the U.S., are still rather new in Germany but becoming increasingly well-known and popular.