Understanding Lighter Capital and Its Competitors

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Lighter Capital is a unique financing option for startups, offering a non-dilutive line of credit that can be used for marketing, hiring, and other business expenses. This type of funding is designed to help companies grow without giving up equity.

One of the key benefits of Lighter Capital is its flexible repayment terms, which can be tailored to the specific needs of each business. This allows entrepreneurs to focus on growth and development without worrying about cash flow.

Lighter Capital's competitors, such as Fundbox and Square Capital, also offer lines of credit to small businesses. However, Lighter Capital's non-dilutive funding model sets it apart from more traditional forms of financing.

Eligibility and Products

Lighter Capital's revenue-based financing model is designed for companies generating at least $200,000 in annual revenue.

To qualify for a loan, your company needs to have an average of $15,000 in monthly recurring revenue over the previous three months.

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Companies don't need to be profitable to apply for a loan.

You can qualify for loans of up to 33% of your annualized revenue run rate. For example, if your company is on track for $1 million in sales, Lighter Capital can invest up to $330,000.

Lighter Capital receives a percentage of your revenue, usually between 2% and 8%, until the total repayment cap is reached. This is calculated and debited monthly via an automated clearing house.

The firm also offers term-based financing and contract-based financing, both with a maximum loan amount of $4 million.

Lighter Capital currently provides funding to companies in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

They focus their funding on companies involved with software, SaaS, tech services, digital media, and similar high-growth, high-margin markets.

Comparison with Chase

Lighter Capital offers more flexible funding options than Chase, allowing businesses to access up to $500,000 without the need for collateral.

One key difference is that Lighter Capital provides revenue-based financing, which means repayment is tied to the business's revenue growth, whereas Chase often requires collateral or a personal guarantee.

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By focusing on revenue growth, Lighter Capital's funding model is designed to be more aligned with the needs of startups and growing businesses.

Lighter Capital's funding process is also faster and more streamlined than Chase's, typically taking just a few weeks to complete.

With Lighter Capital, businesses can access the funding they need to drive growth and expansion without the burden of debt or equity.

Company Overview

Lighter Capital is a venture debt fund that provides financing to software companies. They focus on companies that are already generating revenue, but may not have the cash flow to support their growth.

Their team has a deep understanding of the software industry, having worked at or invested in companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. This expertise allows them to make informed investment decisions.

Lighter Capital's approach is different from traditional venture capital firms, which often invest in companies that are still in the early stages of development. Instead, they provide financing to companies that are already generating revenue and have a proven business model.

They typically provide financing in the form of a line of credit, which can be used by the company as needed. This approach allows them to conserve cash and focus on growth.

Funding and Investors

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Lighter Capital has raised a total funding of $26.7M over 5 rounds.

Its first funding round was on June 01, 2010.

Funding and Investors

Lighter Capital has raised a total funding of $26.7M over 5 rounds.

Its first funding round was on June 01, 2010.

Lighter Capital's funding history is a notable aspect of its growth and development.

The company has secured funding through multiple rounds, which has helped it achieve its goals.

Lighter Capital's funding rounds have likely provided the necessary resources for its operations and expansion.

Its funding milestones are a testament to the company's ability to secure investment and support from various sources.

Recent Funding Rounds

Lighter Capital has secured significant funding rounds in recent years. One notable example is the $2.75M Series B funding round in December 2020.

A closer look at the funding rounds reveals some interesting details. The funding amount for the Series B round was $2.75M.

The investors for this round are not specified in the data. However, the post-money valuation for the company was $9,410,278.

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Another notable funding round was the $100M Conventional Debt round in November 2015. This round was significantly larger than the Series B round.

The revenue multiple for the Conventional Debt round was 6,189,039. The post-money valuation for the company was $7,554,422.

The investors for this round are also not specified in the data. A similar Series B round was completed in March 2015, with a funding amount of $16.9M.

The investors for this round included Summit Capital and Voyager Capital. The revenue multiple for this round was 4,770,685, and the post-money valuation was $5,560,217.

Here are the recent funding rounds for Lighter Capital:

Investors and Competitors

Lighter Capital has attracted a significant amount of investment from notable venture capital firms.

Lighter Capital has raised over $100 million in funding, with investors including Foundry Group, Maveron, and Mohr Davidow Ventures.

Its competitors in the alternative lending space include Funding Circle and Lending Club.

Who Are Investors?

Lighter Capital has 5 institutional investors, including Voyager Capital, Summit Capital, and National Australia Bank.

Voyager Capital is one of the investors of Lighter Capital.

Competitors and Alternates

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In the world of investing, there are many competitors and alternatives to consider.

One major competitor to traditional investing is robo-advisors, which use algorithms to manage investment portfolios.

Robo-advisors like Betterment and Wealthfront offer low-cost, automated investment services that can be more efficient than traditional investing.

However, robo-advisors also have their limitations, such as limited investment options and no human advice.

Other alternatives to traditional investing include real estate investment trusts (REITs) and peer-to-peer lending.

These alternatives offer diversification and potentially higher returns, but they also come with unique risks and requirements.

For example, REITs require a significant upfront investment and can be illiquid, while peer-to-peer lending involves lending to individuals or businesses with varying creditworthiness.

Ultimately, the choice between traditional investing and alternatives depends on individual financial goals and risk tolerance.

Investors should carefully consider their options and do their research before making a decision.

Competitors

Lighter Capital has several competitors in the revenue-based financing space. Clearco, a Toronto-based company, is the overall leader with $905M in total funding and a Tracxn score of 72/100.

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Clearco offers a revenue-based financing solution, which is a significant differentiator from Lighter Capital's online platform. This suggests that Clearco may be more focused on providing a comprehensive financing solution rather than just a digital platform.

Here are the top 5 competitors of Lighter Capital, ranked by their Tracxn score:

Lighter Capital's competitors have varying levels of funding, with Clearco leading the pack at $905M. This significant funding advantage could give Clearco a competitive edge in the market.

Investments and Acquisitions

Lighter Capital has made significant investments in various companies over the years.

One notable investment was in Bond Software, a company founded in 2016 and based in South Melbourne, Australia. This investment was made in November 2022.

Lighter Capital also invested in TechnoMile, a company established in 2010 and located in Mclean, United States. This investment was made in May 2019.

Additionally, Lighter Capital invested in FitSmallBusiness, a company founded in 2013 and based in New York City, United States. This investment was made in January 2019.

Here's a summary of Lighter Capital's investments:

Revenue-Based Financing

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Revenue-Based Financing is a unique approach that allows businesses to raise capital without giving up equity. It's a great option for companies that want to maintain control.

Lighter Capital offers revenue-based financing, which means they only take a percentage of your monthly revenue. This can be a huge relief for businesses that are still building their customer base.

The amount you pay back is directly tied to your revenue growth, so if your business is doing well, you'll pay more. However, if your revenue takes a hit, your payments will decrease accordingly.

One of the benefits of revenue-based financing is that it doesn't come with the same level of risk as traditional loans. Since Lighter Capital only takes a percentage of your revenue, they're not as concerned with your company's overall debt-to-equity ratio.

This type of financing is often used by businesses that are in the growth stage, typically between $500,000 and $5 million in revenue.

Collaboration and Meet

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Lighter Capital is a fintech lender that supports early stage tech-enabled companies. Founded in 2010 in the U.S., it now has a presence in both Canada and Australia.

Lighter Capital provides up to $4.25m revenue-based financing to meet the demanding working capital needs of its market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lighter Capital legit?

Lighter Capital is a legitimate company with a good reputation in the market, established in 2010. Founded in 2010, Lighter Capital has a strong track record of trust and reliability.

How does Lighter Capital work?

Lighter Capital works by taking a percentage of your revenue (2-8%) until a total repayment cap is reached, typically deducted monthly. This flexible payment model helps you manage cash flow while repaying your investment.

Who is the CEO of Lighter Capital?

Melissa Widner is the CEO of Lighter Capital, appointed in September 2020. She leads the company's mission to provide flexible funding to entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Carole Veum

Junior Writer

Carole Veum is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for financial journalism. Her work has appeared in several notable publications, covering a range of topics including banking and mergers and acquisitions. Veum's articles on the Banks of Kenya provide a comprehensive understanding of the local financial landscape, while her pieces on 2013 Mergers and Acquisitions offer insightful analysis of significant corporate transactions.

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