We provide capital in the form of non-dilutive debt to select consumer brands to allow them to grow and scale. We provide both longer term growth capital loans and shorter term working capital advances, each of which is tailored for a variety of financing solutions.

You deserve to keep your equity! Emerging brands require cash for inventory, marketing, key hires and various other reasons, but it does not make sense for founders to give up equity just before a key inflection point, nor should they have to. Reduce the size of your next equity raise by augmenting your round with our debt. Alternatively, extend your cash runway and postpone your next round so that you can achieve an even higher valuation.

No, angels and VCs tend to respond positively to financing. It gives your company more leverage without diluting equity, which future investors appreciate because (a) fewer prior valuations, (b) fewer early-stage investors and (c) more equity to go around.

Short-term working capital is typically used by a company to solve a specific near-term problem, such as increasing marketing spend or purchasing more inventory ahead of a new product launch, and is typically provided in the form of a merchant cash advance. As opposed to longer-term loans, a MCA allows a company to quickly access capital without any long-term commitments.

We aim to close within 1 – 2 weeks after providing you a proposal. We know that working capital is time sensitive and we strive to make the entire process streamlined and efficient so you can receive your funds and go back to growing your business.

Working capital advances are repaid through a payment of a percentage of sales. We work with our companies to set repayment amounts and timeframes that are manageable and accretive to the business.

You receive the proceeds up front and can use it as you see fit. As opposed to some MCA’s that prescribe the way you use their capital (such as only for marketing), we do not.

You receive the loan proceeds up front and can use it as you see fit. Additionally, fully amortizing term loans provide maximum visibility into future cashflow with a fixed monthly payment for the life of the loan. No increase in monthly payments allows companies to reap the benefits of their success.

Yes, unlike most lenders, our returns are directly correlated to your company’s growth. This alignment underpins our strategy, fosters transparency and allows us to structure a loan with optimal value to you.

We aim to go from term sheet to close in three weeks. This is the typical timeframe, but we will move at your pace – if you are keenly focused on getting this done ASAP then we will make sure the resources are devoted on our end to make that happen.

Our loans are used for growth but we do not restrict how that is achieved. As opposed to other types of loans that prescribe the use of funds, we know that you are best suited to determine whether funds can be most effectively used for marketing, strategic hires, acquisitions or inventory.

When we lend money to a company, we also replace your current payment processor, which for DTC companies is typically as simple as flicking a switch. Payment processing is a highly commoditized service. By replacing your payment processor, it allows us to capture the margin embedded in the processing fees that you are already paying your incumbent payment processor. There is no change to the customer experience. The only change is the routing of the payment from your incumbent payment processor to Steel’s payment processor, which are the global leaders in the payment processing space.

No, loan payments are independent from processing fees. Your monthly loan payment will be paid by ACH or wire transfer from your company bank account.

No, revenue-based loans have variable payments based on a share of revenues, penalizing companies for outperformance. If you have taken the time to hone your marketing strategy and outperform your revenue forecast, then you should be rewarded with the extra cashflow. We think paying your lender back faster as you gain momentum is counterproductive for both of us.

A term loan is typically longer in duration, less expensive and not based on sales. A MCA is actually a sale of future revenues, where a company receives a cash advance for shorter-term needs and is repaid through a percentage of sales. Companies need to understand the repayment mechanics as certain MCA’s will naturally hamstring the growth of the business. In our experience, depending on the use of proceeds, the terms and structure of a term loan yield significant benefits to the company.