Insights

In 2026, founders are rethinking how they structure capital, blending equity, debt, and secondaries to maximize flexibility and control. Venture and growth investors deployed $425 billion into more than 24,000 private companies in 2025, up 30% year-over-year.¹ Yet capital is concentrating into fewer companies, with larger checks flowing primarily to later-stage and AI-driven startups.² For most founders, this shift is increasing the need for a more deliberate and diversified

Why Debt Matters for VC-Backed Companies Equity has been the growth engine for startups, but debt is increasingly a strategic complement . Importantly, the value of debt depends on a company’s business model : SaaS  companies often use recurring revenue lines or venture debt tied to ARR. Consumer goods  companies benefit from AR/working capital lines. Fintechs  often rely on warehouse or forward-flow facilities. Life sciences and hardware  firms frequently need equipment fina