Investor Buyout Loans
Replace investor capital with debt and clean up the cap table. This is also called a shareholder redemption loan, investor buyout financing, or a recapitalization. We underwrite, structure, and place facilities to repay early angels,
redeem minority holders, refinance convertibles or SAFEs, and consolidate ownership without stalling growth.
Snapshot:
Senior or unitranche for profitable companies, mezzanine or holdco PIK for stretched cases. 12–60 month tenors.
Interest-only periods with cash-pay or PIK toggles. Security over shares and assets. Use of proceeds limited to lawful
redemptions and debt refis. Typical execution 5–9 weeks once documents and payment clear.
When a redemption loan makes sense
Buying out early investors
Angels or seed funds want liquidity. Company has stable EBITDA and clear debt capacity.
Replacing expensive notes
Convertibles, SAFEs, or mezzanine with high coupons refinanced into cheaper term debt.
Cleaning the cap table
Remove inactive shareholders or settle disputes via a structured redemption.
Preparing for a sale
Simplify ownership and improve control before a strategic sale or larger refinancing.
What you get
Underwriting
Credit memo, sources and uses, covenant model, DSCR sensitivities, legal feasibility of redemption.
Legal support
Term sheet comments, intercreditor, corporate approvals, solvency reps, and closing checklist.
Lender distribution
Targeted private credit funds and lenders that actively finance redemptions and recapitalizations.
Negotiation
Support through LOI, term sheet, and final docs so the deal closes on time.
Closing management
Workstreams with lender counsel, company counsel, and shareholder counsel to funds release.
Reporting
Portal with lender list, status, feedback, covenant tracker, and next actions.
Capital options we arrange
Senior term loan |
Best for strong cash flow and asset coverage. 24–60 months, amortizing after interest-only period. |
Unitranche |
Single tranche replacing senior + mezzanine. Cleaner docs and faster execution for $5–$50M use of proceeds. |
Mezzanine |
Subordinated with warrants or OID when leverage is tight. 36–60 months, light amortization. |
Holdco PIK |
Payment-in-kind at holding company to avoid cash strain at opco during transition. |
Core terms lenders expect
Tenor |
12–60 months depending on leverage and collateral |
Repayment |
Interest-only period, then amortization or bullet; PIK at holdco if needed |
Security |
Share pledge, all-assets lien, IP where material, guarantees as required |
Perfection |
UCC-1 or local charge filings, share charge, control agreements, insurance endorsements |
Covenants |
Min liquidity, leverage and interest coverage, monthly reporting, no leakage without consent |
Use of proceeds |
Lawful shareholder redemptions, investor note repayments, and transaction fees |
Conditions precedent |
Board and shareholder approvals, legal opinions, solvency certificate, lien searches, escrow |
How it works
- Intake:
Submit your form with cap table, redemption plan, structure, security, and timeline.
- KYC:
Sponsor and borrower screening. Invoice issued after preliminary clearance.
- Underwriting:
First-pass memo in 7–10 business days after full docs and cleared payment.
- Distribution:
Targeted send to lenders that fund redemptions at your size and jurisdiction.
- Closing:
Term sheet to funds release with legal workstreams and escrow management.
Documentation checklist
Item |
Details |
Cap table and approvals |
Current cap table, board minutes, shareholder consents, redemption agreements |
Financials and QoE |
3 years historical, TTM, QoE or reviewed statements, 24-month projections |
Model and S&U |
Integrated model, sources and uses, fees, cash buffers, covenant headroom |
Legal and liens |
Lien searches, pending litigation, IP schedule, major contracts |
Security package |
Assets, IP, guarantees, insurance binders, intercreditor if any |
KYC |
Sponsor identity, source of funds, sanctions screens |
Service tiers
Starter
Deal size |
Up to $5,000,000 |
Included |
Analyst and legal counsel, underwriting, lender distribution, closing checklist |
Onboarding fee |
$22,500 |
Closing fee |
2.0% of funded amount |
Growth Most selected
Deal size |
$5,000,001 to $20,000,000 |
Included |
Priority distribution, advanced structuring, lender calls, term sheet negotiation support |
Onboarding fee |
$45,000 |
Closing fee |
2.5% of funded amount |
Enterprise
Deal size |
$20,000,001 to $100,000,000+ |
Included |
Senior partner oversight, full-time analyst, dedicated legal counsel, PR on request |
Onboarding fee |
$90,000 |
Closing fee |
3.0% of funded amount |
Scope and limits
Item |
Details |
Underwriting SLA |
First pass in 7–10 business days after full documents and cleared payment |
Legal support |
Up to 10 hours per deal to term sheet. Extra hours at $350 per hour |
Distribution |
Targeted lenders matched by sector, jurisdiction, and size |
Eligibility |
Post-revenue preferred, positive unit economics, clear debt service and lawful redemption authority |
Refunds |
Fees are non-refundable once underwriting begins |
Not a fit |
No cash flow for DSCR, unresolved shareholder disputes, missing approvals, or unlawful distributions |
Example structures
Angel redemption
$4.0M senior term loan, 48 months. 6 months interest-only then 20-year style amortization. Use of proceeds: redeem seed investors and refinance notes.
Minority buyout
$12.5M unitranche, 36 months, cash-pay coupon with PIK toggle. Share pledge and all-assets lien. Board and shareholder consents at close.
Holdco recap
$22M holdco PIK note, 48 months. No cash drain at opco during integration. Take-out via larger refinance after next phase growth.
Start your onboarding
Submit your intake form. After KYC, your invoice will be issued. Underwriting starts when payment clears.
Submit Intake Form
Financely is not a lender and does not guarantee funding or bank instruments. All mandates are best efforts and subject to underwriting and compliance. Payments must only be made to bank details shown on your official invoice. Beware of unsolicited offers through unofficial channels.