Lighter Capital

Want an easy way to compare your startup’s financial metrics to benchmarks from businesses that are similar to yours? 🧞 Wish granted 🧞 Try our new SaaS Benchmarks Calculator and see how you stack up to startups in the same industry vertical or growth stage. https://lnkd.in/g74QWxgc #SaaSstartups #startupgrowth #startupbenchmarks #SaaSperformance

As the new year approaches, we’re celebrating another year of our podcast Bootstrapped: The Lighter Side. Each episode offers valuable stories and lessons from founders and experts, covering topics like building a strong company culture, effective leadership, funding strategies, the critical questions to ask your lenders, and how to find your market fit. Whether you're traveling home for the holidays, enjoying some quiet time while preparing meals, or simply unwinding before the next celebration, we invite you to listen in on these insightful conversations. A special thank you to our wonderful host Melissa Widner, and all of the incredible guests we featured in 2024. We hope this holiday listening guide offers a moment of inspiration and reflection as you look ahead to the new year. 🎧 https://lnkd.in/gtrpdZ7Z 🎧 https://lnkd.in/gVifU-zG 🎧 https://lnkd.in/gK23UjKZ 🎧 https://lnkd.in/gr2s5Uqb 🎧 https://lnkd.in/gVnGHWiT 🎧 https://lnkd.in/gESSjhsm 🎧 https://lnkd.in/g227FhGj 🎧 https://lnkd.in/gpsUeD6c 🎧 https://lnkd.in/gJnYzhp2 🎧 https://lnkd.in/gcN8NUqf

We know the term "non-dilutive funding” gets thrown around a lot— do you know what it means, exactly? Non-dilutive funding refers to capital that doesn’t require founders to give up equity in their company. It can be used for growth investments, working capital, or extending runway. Here’s why non-dilutive funding is more beneficial for SaaS founders: ✅ Founders preserve existing equity, ownership, and control of their business . ✅ Qualifying for debt funding is far more objective than for equity funding; that means there’s a lot more diversity in the founders and startups that raise debt. ✅ Startups can get non-dilutive funding relatively quickly — a debt capital transaction can close in as little as 10 days. ✅ Non-dilutive funding can complement an equity round so founders can maximize growth while minimizing dilution; founders simply take less equity capital alongside debt to raise all the financing they need. Want to learn more? Check out our blog on non-dilutive funding to explore how it compares to equity financing, the costs involved, and how to qualify: https://lnkd.in/dg_yt5G7

We spend a lot of time looking at startup financials. What’s the number one problem we find? Startups don’t have enough cash on hand to sustain the business through unforeseen challenges or demand fluctuations. While budget planning isn't an exact science, there are key steps you can take to set yourself up for success in 2025. 🔑 How much of a financial buffer should you have? A cash flow forecast will give you the answer, helping you minimize the risk of disruptions, costly just-in-time loans, and even business failure. More importantly, it helps you make informed decisions, manage uncertainties, and move quickly to take advantage of growth opportunities. If you’ve overlooked cash flow forecasting—or you want to improve your methodology—we show you how to  create a cash flow forecast for your business in 7 easy steps: https://lnkd.in/gaJ9UkQv   #SaaS #Cash #Forecasting

In 2023 alone, VC investment dropped by 35%. As Entreprenuer.com puts it "Investment capital is in demand, not on demand.” With an over-saturated investment landscape, savvy entrepreneurs are adapting  and finding alternative ways to fuel their growth.  Freedom and autonomy have become increasingly important to ambitious founders, as traditional VC dollars have become harder to access and terms have become more investor-friendly. , . The days of answering to investors and constantly reporting financials are waning. Bootstrapped startups have better funding options that allow them to  maintain full equity, keep control of decision-making, and avoid the mistakes that are often made trying to meet investor expectations for rapid growth. Non-dilutive funding is easier to access and more readily available compared to traditional VC funding. Founders, it’s time to explore new funding sources. See what Entrepreneur.com recommends, and let us know how you are thinking about shifting your funding strategy in the comments! https://lnkd.in/gsqr-acR

2024 is coming to a close … How does your SaaS startup measure up? Our free interactive Benchmark Report is an easy way to compare your startup’s performance across six key metrics. 💪 Simply input your data into the calculator and instantly see how you stack up against competitors in the B2B SaaS space. Adjust by industry, company age, or calendar year to get a clear vision of your company’s financial positioning. Get started here 👇 https://lnkd.in/e-4N7nW5 

Founders, if you're still relying on Excel to forecast your finances, you're not only wasting precious time, you're also more likely to develop critical strategies based on inaccurate projections. 🤔 We look at a lot of startup financials and we almost always find errors. Our partner, Budgyt, offers a cost-effective solution for financial forecasting. It's a one-stop shop for agile forecasting, team-based budgeting, and granular reporting that will steer your business in the right direction. Budgyt is trusted by startup CEOs, CFOs, and Marketing Directors that once walked in your shoes. So check it out and try it for free at https://budgyt.com/

Founders - is finding access to capital holding your business back? According to NSBA survey data, over 1/3 of businesses report they are unable to secure adequate funding, with many founders citing the “tightening of lending” as a major challenge in their growth. More and more small business owners have identified a lack of available capital as their biggest obstacle in recent years. If you're a founder facing these hurdles, the data shows you're not alone. What’s more comforting is that you may just be looking for money in the wrong places. Specialty lenders like Lighter Capital are an alternative to traditional banks that simply don’t understand your business, especially if you’re building a new SaaS business. Our non-dilutive funding offers the flexibility you need to invest in your company and scale — without the equity dilution and constraints that come with VC money. If you want to buck the trend and take control of your business’s future, talk to a lender that actually gets you, so you can start the new year off with the capital you need to grow. 💸

Without a background in finance, navigating the true cost of taking on debt can be very difficult - and somewhat deceiving… In our latest episode of Bootstrapped, Join Melissa Widner, Lighter Capital's CEO, Tanner Kovacevich, VP of Sales, and Patrick Philley, Head of Underwriting, as they lift the veil on the misleading terms often used in debt financing. Learn to read between the lines of term sheets, effective APR, interest rates, loan amortization, and the additional, non-capital benefits of choosing the right lender. Tune into this week’s episode and get a clearer understanding of all of your lending options and the critical questions you should be asking your financing providers👇 https://lnkd.in/gt4sU_HJ 

It's our final newsletter of the year and there's much to celebrate! Catch up on notable client achievements, our growing partner network, and our Greatest Hits from 2024...