Understanding Venture Debt: A Founder’s Guide with Jose Esquer-Romero

​Date: September 11th
Speaker: Jose Esuer-Romero, Senior Vice President, Silicon Valley Bank (a division of First Citizens Bank)

​Venture debt is one of the most misunderstood tools on a startup’s balance sheet — and one of the most valuable when structured correctly.

​Join TiE Silicon Valley for an insightful session with Jose Esquer-Romero, Senior Vice President at Silicon Valley Bank (a division of First Citizens Bank), as he breaks down the fundamentals of venture debt and how founders can strategically use it alongside equity financing.

​This session will cover when venture debt makes sense in a company’s journey, how lenders evaluate opportunities, and what founders should understand before considering debt financing. Jose will discuss common venture debt structures, including growth capital term loans, accounts receivable and recurring revenue lines, and equipment financing, along with key terms such as advance rates, covenants, warrants, and amortization.

​Learn how Silicon Valley Bank partners with venture-backed companies from seed stage through pre-IPO and what lenders consider when evaluating and sizing a venture debt facility.

​Key Topics:

• ​Understanding venture debt and when it fits into a startup’s growth strategy

• ​How lenders evaluate venture-backed companies

• ​Common venture debt structures and use cases

• ​Key terms founders should understand before signing a facility

• ​How to balance venture debt with equity financing

​Join us for an informative conversation designed to help founders make informed financing decisions and better understand one of the most important tools available for startup growth.