Venture Debt: An Alternative to Equity Financing

Companies struggling to grow due to limited assets must look for ways to generate equity. Typically, many businesses appeal to venture capitalists for funding in exchange for equity holdings. While this tried-and-true method is always available, there is another low-cost option that many companies do not consider: venture debt.

Venture debt is a method of obtaining capital on a more flexible basis than traditional banks will allow without having to sell off large portions of ownership. In the long run, it can be a cheaper and more effective way of growing a business without sacrificing the ability to control it. Before seeking additional funds, it is critical to understand each option. Please join us for a Foley Executive Briefing Series program addressing the following topics:

• What defines “venture debt,” and how it is used in business
• Why venture debt is a suitable alternative to traditional forms of generating growth capital
• The legal implications of venture debt, and how it can it be used for your benefit
• How the availability of venture debt has been affected by recent events in the credit markets

These and other issues will be addressed in an informal, interactive panel session led by Foley Partners Jarvis P. Kellogg and Beth J. Felder, and will include Oscar Jazdowski, Senior Relationship Manager of Silicon Valley Bank and Roy Liu, Managing Director of Hercules Technology Growth Capital.

For questions about registering, please contact Wendy Decker at wdecker@foley.com or 617.342.4000.

Venture Debt: An Alternative to Equity Financing is part of the Foley Executive Briefing Series. Learn more about upcoming programs in the series at Foley.com/FEBS.