Compared to more traditional equity-based investments (like venture capital or angel investment) and debt financing, revenue-based financing (RBF) is a relatively recent option. The repayments are made as a percentage of the monthly income, and revenue-based funding loans (RBF) enable entrepreneurs to raise money without diluting stock. As a result, your company will always have enough cash on hand to cover its marketing and inventory demands. For small firms seeking scale without eroding equity, it is perfect for D2C start-ups.
Characteristics of Revenue-Based Financing
- Structured as a loan with a principal amount, a fixed fee of 4 to 8% and no interest
- As the financing is provided against future revenue, it does not require any collateral or equity dilution
- The monthly repayment is made as a percentage of future revenue (usually 5% to 20%) based on your requirements
- The maturity period of RBF is a function of your actual revenue trajectory, typically modelled for less than 6 months
How does Revenue-Based Financing work?
There are firms that specialise in revenue-based financing. To start with, these companies look at parameters like revenues, cash flows, operating margins, scalability and growth potential among other things as part of their due diligence. Once convinced with the potential borrower’s prospects, they lend the required capital at a mutually decided rate of interest or fee. Interestingly, this is quite similar to how an angel investor or even a VC would function, but what makes revenue-based financing different is the manner in which the funds are repaid by the borrower. The borrower commits to sharing a part of the business revenue with the lender. In other words, both the principal and the fee or interest that the lender charges, is returned from the revenues that the company earns during the normal course of the business.
6 Steps to Get Revenue-Based Financing to Start a Business
- Know The Reason And Amount for the Revenue-Based Financing
- Decide the Type Of Structure You Need
- Compare Financing Firms
- Check Your Qualifications
- Gather the Necessary Documents
- Apply For RBF
Pros of Revenue-Based Financing
1. Cheaper than Equity
With expectations for 10X-20X returns, Angel and VC funding are the most expensive sources of capital possible if your startup is successful.
2. Retain more Ownership & Control
When it comes to revenue-based financing (RBF), investors generally do not take equity. As a result, there is no ownership dilution to founders and early equity investors. In addition, RBF investors do not take board seats or place difficult financial covenants on a company. Founders are able to maintain control and direct the company towards their vision.
3. No Personal Guarantees
Bank loans require personal guarantees from founders based on the high-risk nature of startups. This requires founders to put their personal assets, such as a house or car, on the line. Founders can breathe easier under RBF knowing that no personal guarantees are required.
4. No Large Payments
Monthly payments are based on a percentage of your monthly revenue. This means if you experience a bad month, your monthly payment will reflect that and you are not burdened with a large payment you can’t afford.
5. Faster Funding Timeline
Pitching to venture capitalists can take anywhere from months to years before securing a deal. Since RBF investors do not require companies to achieve hyper-growth or large equity exits, lenders can provide funding in as little as four weeks.
Cons of Revenue-Based Financing
1. Revenue Required
Because this form of financing is revenue-based, pre-revenue startups are generally not a fit. A revenue-based investor uses metrics such as MRR/ARR and growth projections to determine eligibility for a loan.
2. Smaller Check Sizes than VCs
Venture Capital is known for shoveling out enormous amounts of cash for companies, even if they are pre-revenue. Investors in RBF deals will not provide capital that is worth more than 3 to 4 months of a company’s MRR. However, RBF investors may choose to provide follow-on rounds as a company grow, providing entrepreneurs access to more capital over time.
3. Required Monthly Payments
RBF requires monthly payments unlike equity financing. Startups may find themselves tight on cash, so it is crucial to take on a healthy amount of revenue-based financing that aligns with the company’s financial status and plans.
Why Revenue Based Financing?
- RBF is a form of debt that is available to startups and SMEs, but it is not as structured as a loan.
- In this arrangement, investors receive a set monthly percentage of the company’s revenues. This means that the investor receives a larger portion back if a firm generates more revenue each month. Included in this payments are the principle and any returns chosen during the investment period.
- A business does not need to sell equity to receive revenue-based finance to cover working capital needs.
- Revenue-based financing is less hazardous for borrowers since it does not require collateral to be pledged as securities.
- Revenue-based financing is quite alluring for organisations that can accurately measure and forecast their revenue flow. A start-up does have a consistent source of income even if it may not be completely profitable.
- With RBF, business owners may raise anywhere from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 15 crore. Instead of making monthly payments or sacrificing equity, borrowers would have to return the debt with a profit share that will range from 2% to 15%.
- RBF typically has a payback period of up to 12 months. Depending on the size of their income, businesses may be able to repay the borrowed money plus the revenue share quicker than this time frame.
Revenue Based Financers in India
Klub
- Klub takes a marketplace approach to RBF by working with both institutions (banks/NBFCs) as well as individuals to provide capital to loved consumer brands. Klub is India’s leading RBF player and provides capital in the range of Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 5 cr. to consumer brands for a tenure of 3 months to 18 months.
- Since its launch post-Covid in July, Klub has evaluated over 400 brands and has built a capital base of multiple million dollars from its patrons and partners
- 40% of the brands funded by Klub have availed or are in discussions for their 2nd or 3rd investment from Klub
- 40% of the brands funded by Klub have at least one women co-founder
Getvantage
- One of the first revenue based financing platforms in India, Getvantage facilitates growth stage businesses to fund their digital spends for a fraction of future revenues. They cater to companies with a digital-first approach.
- Capital advances between ₹20 lakh to ₹2 crore
- No interest %, no equity dilution, and no hidden charges
- Just one flat fee that’s recovered as a small share of future revenues