In Europe's vigorous startup landscape, the pursuit of capital fuels ambition, innovation, and the path to scale. While equity financing – like venture capital and angel investing – has long dominated the conversation, alternative funding mechanisms are rapidly gaining traction. Among these, venture debt has emerged as a powerful tool for high-growth startups.
Yet, despite its rising popularity, venture debt remains surrounded by questions, myths, and uncertainties, especially for first-time founders. This comprehensive guide answers the 10 most common questions founders ask about venture debt and explores how this financial instrument fits within the broader capital stack.
What Is Venture Debt?
Venture debt is a form of non-dilutive financing specifically designed for venture-backed, high-growth startups. Unlike traditional bank loans, which typically require substantial collateral and established cash flows, venture debt is underwritten predominantly against a startup's growth prospects and the backing of credible venture capital investors.
Key Characteristics:
- Non-dilutive: Preserves founder and investor equity stakes
- Growth-based: Relies on future potential rather than current assets
- VC-backed: Typically requires institutional investor support
- Flexible structures: Term loans, revenue-based options, or credit lines
Common Use Cases for Venture Debt
Runway Extension
Bridge funding between equity rounds to achieve key milestones and improve valuation.
Working Capital
Support sales & marketing expansion without immediate equity dilution.
Product Development
Fund R&D initiatives or product launches ahead of revenue generation.
Strategic Investments
Finance acquisitions or geographic expansion opportunities.
Key Advantages and Risks
Benefits
- ✓Minimal Dilution: Founders and investors retain ownership
- ✓Speed: Faster than equity fundraising (4-12 weeks)
- ✓Flexibility: Various structures to match business model
- ✓Credibility: Signals confidence to future investors
Risks to Consider
- !Repayment Obligation: Fixed payments regardless of performance
- !Covenants: Financial and operational restrictions
- !Warrants: Typically 1-8% equity kicker
- !Default Risk: Lender remedies if unable to repay
Top 10 Venture Debt FAQs for Founders
1. How is venture debt different from a traditional bank loan?
Venture debt is offered primarily to VC-backed startups and relies on future growth and investor confidence, whereas traditional loans depend on assets and historical cash flows. Venture debt lenders understand startup economics and accept higher risk in exchange for warrants and higher interest rates.
2. How much venture debt can I raise?
Most lenders offer 20-40% of your last equity round, but absolute values depend on company maturity, sector, and future fundraising plans. For example, after a €5M Series A, you might access €1-2M in venture debt.
3. Will my investors approve of venture debt?
Most top-tier VCs see venture debt as a strategic tool to extend runway and reduce dilution. However, they may wish to review or consent to terms. Open communication with your board ensures alignment and prevents surprises.
4. How long does it take to close a venture debt deal?
Timelines range from 4 to 12 weeks, depending on company preparedness, lender responsiveness, and negotiation complexity. Having clean financials, clear use of funds, and organized documentation accelerates the process.
5. What happens if I can't repay the loan?
Lenders have legal remedies, which may include taking security over assets or negotiating restructuring. However, most lenders prefer to work with companies to find solutions. Early communication and transparency are key if repayment becomes challenging.
6. What are warrants and how do they work?
Warrants give lenders the right to purchase equity at a set price (usually the last round valuation), typically representing 1-8% warrant coverage. While this creates some dilution, it's significantly less than raising the same amount in equity.
7. Are there hidden fees or costs?
Aside from interest and warrant coverage, some loans include arrangement fees (1-3%), legal costs, and early repayment penalties. Always review term sheets closely and ask your advisor to explain all costs upfront.
8. Will venture debt hurt my next equity round?
Potentially. While prudent use is viewed positively, excess leverage or unfavorable terms can deter future equity investors. Plan with your cap table and milestones in mind, and ensure debt supports rather than hinders growth.
9. Which sectors benefit most from venture debt?
SaaS, fintech, biotech, and cleantech are most common due to predictable revenue models or strong VC backing. However, any high-growth, VC-backed company with strong growth prospects and a clear path to the next milestone may qualify.
10. Do I need an advisor for venture debt?
Founders without significant venture debt experience should strongly consider advisory support for benchmarking terms, negotiating favorable conditions, and accessing the right lenders. An experienced advisor can save time, reduce costs, and improve deal quality.
Venture Debt in Action: Real Examples
Understanding how other companies have successfully used venture debt provides valuable context for your own decisions.
SaaS Scale-Up: €2.5M Venture Debt for Runway Extension
European B2B SaaS Company, Series A Stage
Situation
6 months after closing €8M Series A, company ahead of plan but 12 months from Series B readiness. Wanted to avoid raising bridge equity at lower valuation.
Solution
Raised €2.5M venture debt (31% of Series A) with 12-month interest-only period, 2% warrant coverage, enabling 18 additional months of runway.
Outcome
Hit Series B metrics 15 months later, raised at 3.2x higher valuation. Venture debt cost: ~€280K total vs. ~€4M dilution saved.
"The venture debt gave us breathing room to hit our milestones without rushing into another equity round prematurely. The ROI was clear—minimal dilution for maximum strategic flexibility." — Co-Founder & CEO
Fintech Expansion: €1.8M for Market Entry
European Fintech, Post-Series A
Situation
Successful in home market, identified time-sensitive opportunity to enter adjacent European market. Series B not planned for 18 months.
Solution
€1.8M venture debt secured within 5 weeks, funded market entry team, local partnerships, and regulatory compliance costs.
Outcome
New market contributed €3.2M ARR within 12 months, validating expansion thesis and strengthening Series B pitch.
"Venture debt enabled opportunistic expansion we couldn't have funded otherwise. Speed was critical—by the time we would have raised equity, the window would have closed." — CFO
Key Success Factors
- Recent equity round (within 6-12 months) strengthened lender confidence
- Clear use of proceeds tied to measurable milestones
- Strong existing cash position (12+ months runway before debt)
- Board alignment and investor support from the start
Expert Perspective
Dominik Loroff
Managing Partner, TULA Capital
"In my experience working with European founders, venture debt is most successful when viewed as a strategic timing tool rather than just cheap capital. The founders who get it right ask themselves: 'What milestones can I hit with 12-18 more months of runway, and how much will that increase my next round valuation?'"
"The math is compelling. If you can raise €2M in venture debt today that helps you increase your Series B valuation by even 30%, you've saved far more in dilution than the debt cost. But this only works if you deploy the capital strategically toward those value-inflection points."
"One common mistake: founders waiting until they're 6 months from running out of cash. At that point, your negotiating position is weak and lenders know it. The best time to raise venture debt is when you don't desperately need it—right after a successful equity round when your metrics are strong and momentum is clear."
"For European founders specifically, understand that our market has matured significantly. You now have access to terms comparable to what U.S. startups get, but you need to be proactive. Build relationships with 2-3 lenders early, even if you're not borrowing yet. When you need to move fast, those warm relationships make all the difference."
How TULA Capital Can Help
Navigating the venture debt landscape requires expertise, relationships, and strategic thinking. TULA Capital's network of independent advisors brings deep market knowledge and lender relationships across Europe to help founders:
- ✓Assess whether venture debt fits your growth strategy and capital stack
- ✓Benchmark market terms and identify the right lenders for your sector
- ✓Negotiate favorable terms, covenants, and warrant coverage
- ✓Manage the documentation and closing process efficiently
- ✓Coordinate with your existing investors and board