Debt, credit & capital structure · Core
Venture debt
Also called: venture loan, startup debt
ELI5
Debt financing provided to venture-backed companies, often with warrants or covenants.
Used in conversation
“Can we state who receives the right created by venture debt, and when it applies?”
Pitch context
You will see “Venture debt” in financial models, budgets, board packs and investor materials when the discussion reaches debt, credit & capital structure.
Why it matters: In debt, credit & capital structure, a loose definition can change rights, obligations, approval, disclosure or enforceability.
Caution
Meaning, enforceability and required process vary by jurisdiction and agreement; this definition is not legal advice.
Connected terms
- Venture debt roundThe search label “venture loan” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 9
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- Y Combinator — Safe financing documentsDirect source · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Small Business Capital Formation GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- National Venture Capital Association — Model Legal DocumentsDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- IFRS Foundation — IFRS GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Exempt OfferingsSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Y Combinator — Series A Term Sheet TemplateSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16
- Financial Accounting Standards Board — FASB Accounting Standards CodificationSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Break-even pointSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Non-GAAP Financial Measures — Compliance and Disclosure InterpretationsSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16