RBF & Financing 8 min readUpdated May 25, 2026
RBF vs Equity vs Loan — Decision Framework
A decision framework for indie AI founders choosing between revenue-based financing, giving up equity, or taking a traditional loan.
TL;DR
Equity is right when the outcome is 10x+ and you need brand or expertise. Loans are right when you have collateral and predictable cash flow. RBF is right when you're profitable and want to keep 100% ownership.
The 3-question test
Is the money for a specific, measurable growth lever? Do you already have revenue? Do you want to keep control? Three yeses = RBF.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mix them?
Yes — a common pattern is a small equity raise for hiring plus RBF for paid marketing.
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