Debt Financing vs. Equity Financing | Debt Financing vs. Equity Financing (2024)

FAQs

Debt Financing vs. Equity Financing | Debt Financing vs. Equity Financing? ›

Debt financing refers to taking out a conventional loan through a traditional lender like a bank. Equity financing involves securing capital in exchange for a percentage of ownership in the business. Finding what's right for you will depend on your individual situation.

Key Takeaways. There are two types of financing available to a company when it needs to raise capital: equity financing and debt financing. Debt financing involves the borrowing of money whereas equity financing involves selling a portion of equity in the company.

Common equity finance products include angel investment, venture capital, and private equity.

Debt financing is generally considered to be less risky than equity financing because lenders have a legal right to be repaid. However, equity investors have the potential to earn higher returns if the company is successful. The level of risk and return associated with debt and equity financing varies.

Equity finance is generally the issue of new shares in exchange for a cash investment. Your business receives the money it needs and the investor will own a share in your company. This means the investor will benefit from the success of your business.

"Debt" involves borrowing money to be repaid, plus interest, while "equity" involves raising money by selling interests in the company. Essentially you will have to decide whether you want to pay back a loan or give shareholders stock in your company.

Less burden.

With equity financing, there is no loan to repay. The business doesn't have to make a monthly loan payment which can be particularly important if the business doesn't initially generate a profit. This in turn, gives you the freedom to channel more money into your growing business.

Equity Financing also has some disadvantages as compared to other methods of raising capital, including: The company gives up a portion of ownership. Leaders may be forced to consult with investors when making a decision. Equity typically costs more than debt financing due to higher risk.

The main disadvantage of debt financing is that interest must be paid to lenders, which means that the amount paid will exceed the amount borrowed.

Why would a company choose equity financing over debt financing? ›

Equity financing offers the advantage of not requiring immediate repayment or interest payments. Instead, investors share in the risks and rewards of the business and may benefit from future profits and the potential for a significant return on investment.

Reasons why companies might elect to use debt rather than equity financing include: A loan does not provide an ownership stake and, so, does not cause dilution to the owners' equity position in the business. Debt can be a less expensive source of growth capital if the Company is growing at a high rate.

Debt finance requires no equity dilution, but the business must “pay” for this benefit via interest on top of the initial sum. Equity finance doesn't require the payment of any interest, but it does mean sacrificing a stake in the business and ultimately a share of future profits.

The main disadvantage to equity financing is that company owners must give up a portion of their ownership and dilute their control. If the company becomes profitable and successful in the future, a certain percentage of company profits must also be given to shareholders in the form of dividends.

During seed and angel rounds, equity is your best option because you won't have enough creditworthiness, cash flow or collateral to finance with debt. Angel investors won't care how many assets you have on your balance sheet. They want to see the potential of your business and the possibility of high ROIs.

Ask a CFO or an academic in finance and you would get a different answer. Indeed, debt has a real cost to it, the interest payable. But equity has a hidden cost, the financial return shareholders expect to make. This hidden cost of equity is higher than that of debt since equity is a riskier investment.

What's the difference between debt financing and equity financing? Debt financing raises funds by borrowing. Equity financing raises funds from within the firm through investment of retained earnings, sale of stock to investors, or sale of part ownership to venture capitalists.

What is the difference between debt financing and equity financing? Equity financing involves selling shares of ownership in the company while debt financing does not.

debt financing must be repaid, while repayment of equity financing is not required.

Equity real estate investing earns returns through rental income paid by tenants or from selling property. Debt real estate investing involves issuing loans or investing in mortgages or mortgage-backed securities.