Why Don't More Tech Companies Take on Debt Instead of Venture Capital?

The correct answer is “They cannot”. Banks do not lend to high-risk ventures. Their interest rates cannot support the 80% failure rate the venture capitalists get in selecting companies.

Any bank that did this would be out of business very quickly.

Banks lend to companies that have proven cash flow to pay the interest and principal monthly or assets to back up the loan only. It is just the maths. Generally, six-quarters of positive cash-flow and financial statements is required.

VCs have a similar success rate to throwing darts, or random selection, BTW, even after a $5M infusion of capital. The dirty little secret of the VC industry is their 80% failure rate. Another 10% becomes “the living dead,” surviving but may never be able to repay the capital or any profit for the VC. The final 10% generates HUGE returns with 25X, 100X, and even 1,000X returns. Which means the best entrepreneurs effectively sponsor the failed 80% by giving the VCs 40%+ RI/IRR.

Bob Norton is a long-time Serial Entrepreneur and CEO with four exits that returned over $1 billion to investors. He has trained, coached and advised over 1,000 CEOs since 2002. And is Founder of The CEO Boot Camp™ and Entrepreneurship University™. Mr. Norton works with companies to triple their chances of success in launching new companies and products. He helps established companies scale faster using the six AirTight Management™ systems. And helps companies raise capital.

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