Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders

Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips: https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101

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Think debt is a trap? Think again. Learn how the right kind of debt can fuel your growth without sacrificing control of your startup. In this insightful episode, Jason Kirby welcomes Kyle Rector, co-founder and president of Boundless, to shed light on an often-overlooked aspect of startup funding: debt financing. If equity raises are the headlines, debt is the subplot that drives growth for countless businesses—but only if founders understand how to wield it wisely.

Kyle shares hard-earned wisdom from a decade of navigating the debt financing space, offering practical advice for founders at all stages. Kyle walks us through the spectrum of non-dilutive funding options, from the basics of debt vs. equity to the complexities of venture debt, revenue-based financing, and more. Whether you’re looking to extend runway, fuel expansion, or build sustainable operations, this episode equips you with the knowledge to make informed capital decisions.

Here's what you'll find in this episode:

• 00:00 Introduction to Debt Financing

• 00:08 Meet Kyle Rector: Debt Financing Expert

• 00:55 Understanding Debt vs Equity

• 03:41 Types of Debt for Businesses

• 08:27 Term Loans Explained

• 09:59 Lines of Credit: Flexible Financing

• 11:42 Secured vs Unsecured Financing

• 16:48 Venture Debt: A Strategic Option

• 22:23 Revenue-Based Financing: Pros and Cons

• 29:49 Exploring Different Types of Debt Financing

• 30:07 Valuing Contracts and Lines of Credit

• 32:56 Preparing to Secure Debt: Key Considerations

• 37:14 Understanding Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)

• 40:35 Benchmarking Debt Options for Different Business Profiles

• 51:47 Building Relationships and Trust with Lenders

• 54:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

  
  

ABOUT KYLE RECTOR

Kyle Rector is the co-founder and president of Boundless, a capital marketplace connecting businesses with lenders through tailored solutions. With over 10 years of experience in debt financing, Kyle has facilitated billions in capital requests, spanning industries and geographies. His mission with Boundless is to simplify the capital application process, enabling founders to focus on scaling their businesses.

Connect with Kyle on:

• Webiste: www.getboundless.ai

  
  

ABOUT JASON

Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.

You can reach out to Jason through:

Email: jason@thunder.vc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/

ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED

Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.

Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.

Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCsfor free here:https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders

Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips: https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101

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Starting off December with a recap from the podcast's biggest fundraisers of 2024... Ever wondered how the most successful founders raise millions? 💡

Discover the strategies and stories behind some of the biggest fundraising wins from top founders who’ve raised millions and scaled rapidly.

In Season 2 of the Fundraising Demystified Podcast, we break down how these entrepreneurs secured game-changing investments, navigated challenges, and built thriving companies.

Here’s a recap of our top 5 episodes:

Paul Kromidas (Episode 27):

The mastermind behind Summer, a vacation home company that raised over $11M in seed funding, $18M in Series A, and a $50M debt facility. Learn how strategic partnerships fueled this massive growth.

Edrizio De La Cruz (Episode 58):

From Air Force mechanic to raising $25M for his fintech startup. Edrizio shares how leadership and grit helped him scale quickly in the competitive fintech space.

Michael Markesbery (Episode 53):

Michael went from solving a personal problem to raising $50M for his deep-tech material science company. He reveals how OROS Labs turned NASA-grade insulation into cutting-edge outdoor gear and secured funding through Kickstarter, seed rounds, and Series B with Airbus Ventures.

Chris Gladwin (Episode 49):

A serial entrepreneur who raised hundreds of millions. Chris shares his journey from Cleversafe’s $1.4B acquisition by IBM to building Ocient. He talks about navigating market cycles, fundraising strategies, and building resilient companies.

Diana Heldfond (Episode 43):

A solo female founder who raised $29M for Parallel, a platform transforming how children with learning and thinking challenges like dyslexia and ADHD receive support. Diana discusses how she built this innovative solution and secured funding without a co-founder.

Each episode offers valuable insights for founders and startups, including:

• How to navigate high-stakes fundraising rounds

• Leveraging partnerships and unique skills for growth

• Building investor confidence for long-term success

Your next big round starts here. Tune in to the Fundraising Demystified Podcast for actionable advice and inspiring stories from entrepreneurs who’ve been there.

Listen now on all major podcast platforms!

#StartupFunding #VCJourney #Entrepreneurship #FundraisingDemystified