Venture Debt: The Essential Guide for Founders

In this episode of Startup Success, Kate sits down with Marshall Hawks, author of Venture Debt Deals and a venture lending leader with two decades of experience, including 16 years at Silicon Valley Bank, helping founders fund growth with less dilution. Drawing on real-world case studies, Marshall breaks down what venture debt really is, why it has become an increasingly important part of startup capital strategies, and how founders can use it to extend runway while minimizing dilution. He also shares a behind-the-scenes look at how lenders evaluate startups, what to expect during due diligence, and the difference between banks and private credit providers — and when to work with each. Marshall addresses: What venture debt is and where it fits within your startup’s capital strategy Common mistakes startups make when pursuing venture debt What founders should expect during the screening process This episode is a clear and thorough overview of venture debt financing. If you’re considering venture debt to support your startup’s growth or want to learn more about it, this is a must-listen. ----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn ! 🔗 Learn more at

You can listen to Venture Debt: The Essential Guide for Founders online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Venture Debt: The Essential Guide for Founders is an episode from Startup Success: A Podcast for Founders & Investors by Burkland.

This episode is 34:47 long.

This episode was published on Mar 10, 2026.

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