Acquisition Finance For Sponsors

Independent Sponsor Financing

Independent sponsor financing is the debt and equity a fundless sponsor raises deal by deal to close an acquisition. Financely structures the capital stack and places it with senior lenders, unitranche and mezzanine funds, and equity co-investors, so you go from signed LOI to committed capital with one fee-based advisor running the process.

Who Is This For?

  • Independent and fundless sponsors with a target under LOI or close to it
  • Operators and former executives leading their first sponsored buyout
  • Sponsors who have equity partners lined up but need the debt, or the reverse
  • Sponsors whose deal is above typical SBA limits or needs a structure SBA lenders will not accept

What Do You Get From Financely?

  • A financing structure built around the target's cash flow, collateral and your equity position
  • A lender and investor ready package: credit memo, model review, sources and uses, and a clear ask
  • Targeted placement with senior lenders, unitranche and direct lending funds, mezzanine providers, and equity co-investors
  • Term sheet comparison on leverage, pricing, covenants, amortisation and sponsor economics
  • Coordination through diligence and documentation to funding

Financely is an arranger and advisor, not a lender. Capital comes from third party lenders and investors who make their own credit decisions.

What Deal Criteria Do We Typically Look For?

These are typical criteria, not hard limits. Every deal is reviewed on its merits.

  • A signed LOI, or a negotiated deal close to signing
  • A profitable, cash generating target with historical financials, ideally reviewed or audited
  • Positive, supportable adjusted EBITDA with addbacks you can document
  • A sponsor equity contribution or committed equity partner, plus a clear role for management
  • Lower middle market or middle market size, in sectors where lenders are active
  • Reasonable customer concentration and a business that does not depend on one person

How Does the Process Work?

  1. Submit your deal. Send the documents listed below through the quote form.
  2. Review and quote. We assess fundability and reply with a fee-based engagement quote and a proposed structure.
  3. Package. We build the lender and investor materials with you.
  4. Placement. We run outreach to matched capital providers and collect indications of interest.
  5. Term sheets. We compare offers and help you negotiate the best fit.
  6. Close. We coordinate diligence, QoE, legal and funding conditions to closing.

What Should You Send Us?

  • Signed or draft LOI and a short deal summary
  • Three years of target financial statements plus year to date
  • Adjusted EBITDA bridge with addback support
  • Your sources and uses and how much equity is committed
  • Sponsor background and your operating plan for the business
  • Any lender or investor feedback you already have

Related pages

Ready to Finance Your Deal?

Send your LOI and financials and we will reply with a fee-based quote and a proposed structure.

Request A Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Financely a lender to independent sponsors?

No. Financely structures and places debt and equity with third party lenders and investors. We do not lend our own balance sheet.

How is your advisory paid for?

Financely charges a deal review fee, then a retainer and a success fee agreed in writing before work begins. You receive a quote with the engagement scope and fees after we review your deal.

Can you raise both the debt and the equity?

Yes. We can arrange senior or unitranche debt, mezzanine, seller paper and equity co-invest in one process, or focus only on the piece you are missing.

Do I need a signed LOI before I apply?

A signed LOI is typical because lenders and investors want a defined deal. If you are close to signing, send the draft and we will tell you what is needed.

How long does a sponsor financing usually take?

Timelines depend on diligence, QoE and lender approvals. We give you a realistic timeline in the quote rather than a promise.

What if lenders have already turned the deal down?

Send their feedback. We will tell you whether a different structure or capital provider can work, or whether the deal needs to change first. See also why independent sponsors struggle to raise funding.

Disclaimer: Financely is an advisory and structuring platform. We do not guarantee issuance, lender approvals, or transaction closing outcomes. All mandates are subject to underwriting, KYC and AML checks, compliance review, counterparty acceptance, and final provider decisions. This page is provided for commercial information only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice.