Debt Uncovered: Venture Debt

At first glance taking on debt may seem like an odd thing for start-ups that are cash flow negative to consider, but the creation of a venture debt community has been identified as a crucial cornerstone of any thriving start-up ecosystem.

Indeed, in her eponymous and landmark study on that state of the UK start-up scene, serial entrepreneur Sherry Coutu listed the creation of a thriving venture debt market as a key enabler of rapid company growth. The numbers tell the story. In the thriving and established US venture market, around a fifth of US companies take on venture debt. In the UK the figure is less than 10%.

This podcast will help understand how venture debt supports companies in scale-up mode, and dig into why sponsors and entrepreneurs should seriously consider taking it on. 

Moderator:

• Nicholas Neveling, Editorial Director, Real Deals

Speakers:

• Will Chappel, Head of Growth Capital & Venture at Shawbrook Bank 
• Giles Hawkins, a partner at law firm Ashfords