The Ripple dove into how startups can use debt and equity as they scale up. The chat brought together founders, lenders, and investors to figure out when, why, and how companies should think about borrowing money versus selling shares.

Here’s what came out of it:

- Mixing debt with equity can help extend a company’s cash runway.

- Taking on too much debt early can backfire during future fundraising.

- Lenders look for strong teams, clear business basics, and smart plans.

- Flexible, creative debt setups are key for younger companies.

- Asset-backed financing is worth a look, but it needs scale to work well.

- Getting the right people and skills in place makes a big difference.

Big picture: The group agreed there’s no one-size-fits-all playbook. Successful startups need honest talks with their investors and lenders, explore new financing structures, and stay alert to the risks and rewards of debt. Relationships and trust matter at every step.