3.5 Negotiating the Financing Terms
Once the due diligence finishes positively, the social investor and the social entrepreneur can start the negotiations of the financing terms. In some cases, the social investor provides the financing in separate tranches after the completion of certain milestones (e.g. US$ 250,000 at the start and US$ 250,000 after setting up a second location). The financing can also be tied to a business plan, and the social entrepreneur should also consider the consequences of cost overruns or failure to meet the targets of the business plan.
The financing terms differ between debt capital (loan) and equity capital (ownership stake).
Equity capital
In exchange for an investment, the social investor buys participation in the equity of the social enterprise. The social entrepreneur has to negotiate the following terms:
- Valuation of the social enterprise
- Dividend payments
- Exit/repayment
In the case of equity investments, the valuation of the social enterprise is key and determines whether the investment is based on nominal or market values. Some social investors provide debt and equity capital at the same time.2 In those cases, the equity investment can be based on nominal values and the repayment should also be based on nominal values.
Social investors and social entrepreneurs should discuss what kind of financial return they can expect. The financial return can be realized through an increase of the value of the social enterprise as well as through dividend payments.
In addition, the social entrepreneur should address the issue of control and voting rights. While the investor should be able to influence decisions in the company, the social entrepreneur should maintain the necessary rights for flexible and entrepreneurial decision-making authority for the social enterprise.
Lastly, social entrepreneurs and social investors should discuss the potential options for the investors‟ future exit strategy and the expected time frame (see more details on page 20).
Debt capital (loan)
A loan is attractive if the social enterprise has access to stable and predictable cash flows. The financing terms include:
- Interest rate
- Repayment schedule
- Financial flexibility
- Default scenarios
The interest rate is the annual payment of the social entrepreneur to the social investor. The interest rate can range from interest-free (e.g. 0%) to market rate return (e.g. about 7% in Western Europe) and depends on the financial return expectations of the social investor.