Sample Deal Structures
How deals get funded
Below are illustrative, anonymized deal structures showing how acquisitions in the $500K–$25M range are typically financed. Actual terms vary by lender and file — every structure below was stress-tested for financeability before submission.
First-time buyer, strong operator, thin collateral. Needed a structure a senior lender would approve without delay.
- CSBFL term loan$560K
- Vendor take-back$56K
- Buyer equity$84K
- Working-capital line$150K
Why it works: A clean structure with a fast lender-approval path.
Recurring-revenue maintenance contracts made this an ideal CSBFL candidate; the seller stayed on briefly to transition key accounts.
- CSBFL term loan$840K
- Vendor take-back$280K
- Buyer equity$280K
Why it works: The seller transition secures the contracts; the buyer steps into day-one cash flow.
Founder ready to exit after three decades. The buyer needed the price bridged without over-leveraging day one.
- Bank term loan$2.08M
- Vendor take-back$640K
- Buyer equity$480K
- ABL revolverOn receivables & inventory
Why it works: The seller reaches full valuation without over-leveraging the buyer.
Strategic buyer acquiring a complementary product line. Hard assets and contracted backlog supported a senior-led stack.
- Senior bank term$3.3M
- ABL revolver$800K
- Vendor take-back$550K
- Buyer equity$850K
Why it works: Hard assets and contracted backlog support a senior-led stack, DSCR stress-tested before submission.
Regional group with professional management in place. Required layered capital to reach full enterprise value.
- Senior debt$4.4M
- Mezzanine$1.2M
- Vendor take-back$800K
- Buyer equity$1.6M
- Operating lineDay-one liquidity
Why it works: Layered capital reaches full enterprise value while management continuity is preserved.
Illustrative, anonymized structures. Actual terms vary by lender and file. Company names and identifying details are withheld for confidentiality.
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