Industry Insights: Potential Policy Shifts and Financing Opportunities
If Scott Bessent, a leading candidate for Treasury Secretary, is appointed, startups and lower middle market businesses may see a shift toward borrower-friendly conditions. Bessent’s expected policies focus on stimulating growth through increased bank lending and deregulation.
This creates an opportunity for businesses to secure financing more easily. To take advantage, ensure your financials are in order and align your strategic plans to appeal to lenders.
Checklist: Preparing Your Business for Bank Lending
Navigating the lending process is easier with the right preparation. From financial statements to lender criteria, this checklist will help you secure the capital you need.
Key Legal Update: The Future of Sports Media Deals
A legal battle between Warner Bros. Discovery and the NBA over Inside the NBA underscores the importance of clear content ownership and licensing terms. Conflicts like this can happen when trying to share valuable content on multiple platforms while still honoring exclusivity agreements.
For digital media companies, athletes, and content creators, the takeaway is clear: negotiate licensing agreements that allow for multi-platform distribution, future technology use, and potential sublicensing opportunities.
Flexibility can mean including clauses that permit your content to be adapted for new formats, like streaming or international markets, while still protecting your ownership rights.
This approach is useful because it ensures you can scale your brand, reach broader audiences, and capitalize on unexpected growth opportunities without being locked into restrictive terms that limit your potential.
Featured Resource: Prepare for Longer Rail Delays
West Coast rail delays are rising due to holiday shipping, strike threats, and upcoming tariffs, creating challenges for businesses dependent on timely deliveries. These disruptions can drive up costs and impact supply chain reliability, especially for companies focused on optimization or sustainability.
To mitigate risks, businesses should update agreements to include provisions for shared costs, adjusted delivery timelines, and clear accountability for delays. Proactively aligning contracts with potential challenges can protect margins, maintain trust with clients, and support operational resilience.
Checklist: Supply Chain Agreement Negotiation
A well-crafted agreement ensures your operations stay on track and adaptable in unpredictable conditions.
Quick Financial Snapshot: Venture Markets Stabilizing
In Q3 2024, the venture capital market showed signs of stabilization, with later-stage
investments and M&A activity rising. Early-stage funding, however, declined, and 20% of
funding rounds were down rounds, highlighting the challenges startups face in raising capital.
For early-stage companies, non-dilutive R&D funding, such as grants and government programs, offers an alternative to equity financing. These options allow startups to fund innovation without sacrificing ownership, making them a strategic choice in today’s cautious funding environment.
Bonus Insights: Angel Investing in Decline
Angel investing has dropped 64% since 2015, according to The Wall Street Journal. Venture capital firms are moving into early-stage funding, making it harder for traditional angels to compete. While this benefits high-growth startups attracting VC attention, it leaves many founders scrambling for alternatives like crowdfunding or grants. Startups must adapt quickly to secure early capital in this more competitive funding landscape.
Connect with Us
Need guidance on navigating these shifts in funding, contracts, or legal strategy? Book a
consultation today to discuss how we can support your growth and protect your business.
Comments