Services – All – In3 Finance – international impact capital, advisory and events

In³ Finance Services — What We Offer

We partner with entrepreneurs and project developers to quickly and reliably deliver project finance to accelerate their commercial success in the US and emerging/frontier markets worldwide. How?

Capital | Carbon Credits | Impact Advisory | Project Development | Advisory | Events

Since 1996, In3 has arranged private and “alternative” funding for diverse industries (mid-market energy, food/ag, water, materials, housing, real estate) in the US, EU and emerging/frontier markets. We can directly finance projects of $25 million or more (ideally, $50m and above), but when your situation does not qualify, or for other goals, In3’s advisory services help owners develop plans with IFRS or GAAP-complaint financial models, review and evaluate, de-risk and facilitate expedited closings, co-develop projects within our areas of expertise, and host engaging “impact innovation” events to connect people working with cleantech, renewables and (among others) solutions to climate change.

We mostly provide impact capital, vetting or due diligence services, business development and investment facilitation services to project developers in the US and globally.

Check-out our short list of eligibility criteria for our preferred program — what we call the Four Cornerstones: size, stage, space (or sector) and surety.

This capital can be structured as a loan, equity investment, or both (hybrid of mezzanine debt and equity), or other forms of non-traditional capital such as convertible debt, quasi-equity, and other solutions as part of our advisory work.

Our main focus is climate finance, regenerative and renewable resources — energy, food, water, materials — but we are open to any industry that delivers social and/or environmental benefits, or at least does no harm.

GETTING STARTED: If seeking project finance, we recommend you begin with an honest, self-appraisal to assist with figuring out the best way forward. Use our Readiness and Innovation Navigator (about RAIN | jump to assessment) — if you don’t overthink it, RAIN can be completed in 5-10 minutes and will help expedite your fundraising.

Note that we DO NOT require RAIN assessment for our streamlined, flagship funding, In3’s Completion Assurance Program (CAP). RAIN is most useful for ventures (not projects) seeking to raise funds, those that want to partner with us to further develop one or more projects, or “special situations” that do not meet CAP’s pre-qualification conditions.

Overview of In³ Services (click on a topic to learn more):

RAISING CAPITAL: We help you qualify for the best possible investment terms and asset valuations, greatly increase the probability of a successful infusion, and reduce the time it takes. We represent a US Family Office with a mandate to invest in mid-market projects. The preferred pathway for equity and/or debt project finance is our Completion Assurance [Guarantee] Program™ (In3 CAP). About impact funding, FAQ, our client history. Further details.

LOAN PACKAGING/ORIGINATION: As a designated loan originator with respected industry credentials (we are certified by Moody’s Analytics), we work closely with development finance institutions, sovereign wealth, family office and impact investment funds, and can offer guidance on crowdfunding approaches when appropriate, to help you win investor support while avoiding “blind alleys” along the way. Our services save you time and money in the long-run by increasing the odds of loan approval at the best available rates.
Ask us about our financeability report; we want to know your initial point score to better serve you … and it’s fast and free — less than 5-10 minutes, if you are prepared.
ASSET-BACKED LOANS: We can assist asset owners to gain cash liquidity without selling their assets outright.
RISK MITIGATION: We bring fresh perspective and non-judgmental advocacy for presenting your deal with issues handled, strengths apparent, and finance well justified. Most risks are just lack of having an effective mitigation plan.
STRATEGIC ADVISORY: For planning, developing and financing your project or venture, with years of experience and track record of success with advising startups, governments, and established companies.
COACHING & EDUCATION: Workshop leaders since 1985, and certified in coaching and facilitation, we bring expertise in both subject matter and learning strategies, making our programs an invaluable investment. We also bring workplace diplomacy, team development and communication expertise; if you need these services, visit Daniel Robin & Associates.

We prefer to partner with our client companies and work in collaboration, and would be happy to discuss your situation after you’ve explored this website’s tools and information FAQ or reviewed how to qualify for project finance. We’ve been in operation since 1996 and have a long history of success working with clients that have used these services; you can benefit, too.

Raising Capital or Impact Capital

Our flagship product is In3’s Completion Assurance [Guarantee] Program™. Why this funding program?

Read to take next steps? Go here.

In addition to providing project funding, we advise and assist project teams, developers, and investment partners/sponsors to obtain cost-effective capital. We offer a program of vetting and optimization that investors rely on for giving projects due consideration. We provide strategic insights on the best ways to structure and populate the capital stack, sometimes involving multiple financing sources or multiple rounds of finance, to achieve project goals.

Now in our 25th year, In3 partners with clients in diverse industries to help them prepare to raise money — debt, equity, convertible debt, grants, revenue contracts, joint ventures and more — for US operations as well as in emerging markets and developing countries. (See also, related article on impact funding.)

The main capital that we have obtained for clients in the current economy (since 2008) is low-APR term loans (3-20 years), for at least $5 million and up to $750 million, so far, with capital available into the US$ billions. Average loan size as of 2018 was $31.5 million, with 6.5 year tenor, but this continued upward in 2019-2022 (despite COVID), as larger projects ($120 million or more) have become more popular with investors that wish to gain efficiency and be careful of transaction costs. More on how our innovative program disrupts that trend, with novel advantages over traditional pathways to funding middle-market projects. Completion Assurance Program (CAP funding) investment strategy here.

We also can assist with attracting venture equity partners, or “quasi-equity” (also called C-loans; see below) when we have expertise in the industry of focus, with fees commensurate with risks and the amount of work required to obtain capital. Jump to our non-CAP venture fundraising services instead of CAP project capital.

We are affiliated with capital partners who specialize in renewables and/or development finance, for-profit impact project finance with social and/or environmental benefits, or other much-needed solutions in the middle market (see Our Sweet Spot or read article entitled “Impact Capital — opportunities to solve problems we all face“).

We understand the need for effective, long-term relationships, including equity and JV partnerships, so we thoroughly vet deals and introduce only the projects or ventures that fit our investor’s profile. This deal flow saves both parties time and effort, not wasting time on companies unsuitable to the investor nor vice versa.

Our purpose is to provide access to capital that otherwise would be difficult to reach. This is “alternative” capital — not from commercial banks — and in addition to our in-house partners, includes “boutique” (highly specialized) impact investors, private family offices, and institutional lenders such as development banks, pension fund managers, and pre-screened groups.

We are capable of working with short-term financing needs, such as buyouts, tax equities, import-export or bridge loans, as part of a services package. It is difficult for us to introduce seed-stage investors if we do not have a long-standing relationship that enables us to prove your trustworthiness. Once you have a seed-stage investor at the table, or sufficient resources to pay us to develop the business plan, we do offer advisory service contracts. Use this link to set up a preliminary call.

Industry Focus: Our clients are mostly in these diverse industries (more than 30 to date) with one thing in common — they all deliver some form of social and/or environmental impact (by itself, making a profit is not enough) — including renewable energy (utility-scale and commercial-scale solar, wind, small hydroelectricity, biomass), renewable resources (agriculture, agroforestry, aquaculture, aquaponics, water-related), waste conversion (municipal or industrial waste-to-energy, biofuels, or other “biomaterials” products such as biochar/carbon black for filtration, biopolymers for fabrics, textiles, or specialty ‘green’ chemicals such as biopesticides), energy efficiency (commercial-scale LED lighting retrofits), energy storage, eco-housing/real estate/communities, health (natural products, nutraceuticals, value chain) & other B2B cleantech (smart grids, microgrids … ) or other facets of the clean/circular/impact/sustainable economy.

The most attractive terms can be obtained by de-risking and carefully preparing plans and proposals. We work with both US companies and overseas companies doing business in emerging markets and developing economies. See list.

Note on forms of capital: Quasi-equity instruments have both debt and equity characteristics. One option is convertible debt (starts off as a loan then converts to equity based on milestones reached), which compared to senior, subordinated or mezzanine debt, offers more flexible repayment terms.

Other options include preferred stock, multiple classes of shares to separate financial interest from control, and income-based or revenue contract investments. Quasi-equity investments are just one option in the capital stack to ensure that a project is soundly funded. Ask if your project qualifies.

Loan Packaging or Origination

We help determine the best options for loans in these markets, then assist with “packaging” — preparing or polishing the loan documents, including any necessary financial modeling, business plans, loan application forms, and other materials requiring analysis and clear/concise communication.

In general, a “completion assurance” guarantee enables capital at the best-available terms. Typically expansion capital (when the operating company has been operating assets in the line of business for 3 or more years) is faster to obtain than “greenfield” projects, but with CAP funding, greenfield projects in the hands of first-time developers, or projects involving renovation, refurbishment, or retrofits (such as for energy efficiency) can be funded equally as fast. Most industries, even those that are not as profitable, such as utility-scale solar, can obtain longer loan tenor financing via our Completion Assurance Program (CAP)™. Most project lenders are going to be particular about cash flows sufficient to cover debt service, and require more profitable projects to make loans feasible. In3’s CAP funding is usually much faster, more flexible, more certain to reach closing, and at better terms.

We do work with startup or “greenfield” projects, cross-border joint venture partnerships … teams seeking project finance from other than commercial bank sources (including the multilateral development banks, private impact investors, some family office, sovereign funds, larger angels and angel groups). We have earned a success rate of better than 98% since inception. References available.

We also offer debt syndication (multiple concurrent lenders) for industries and projects in host countries where we have the most experience. Loan terms typically offer attractive, market rates of interest, and customary financing costs and fees borne by the borrower. Some projects qualify for concessionary (below market-rate) loan terms. With interest rates at historic lows, this might be the perfect time to obtain a fixed-rate or variable-rate term loan.

After completing a fast and easy self-assessment, feel free to ask us for an estimate of costs and timeframes. Refer also to our industry Sweet Spot, Frequently Asked Questions, or a summary of How to Qualify for development finance loans.

Asset-Backed Loans

We can help determine the best options for gaining access to cash capital using existing assets without having to sell them outright. Partners in our network can provide affordable loans up to 50% of the asset value with few strings attached. Tell us about your situation so we can suggest indicative rates.

Risk Mitigation

We systematically de-risk your investment opportunity using a variety of mitigation strategies including careful planning & analysis, risk insurance, credit enhancement (such as loan guarantees), and other tools based on industry standards applied to your unique situation.

Strategic Advisory for planning, developing and financing

Business plan critique and development, financial model reviews, and assistance with meeting lender requirements are also available.

Our advisory services are usually arranged as a package within a tightly-defined scope of work (1-page roadmap available upon request) using a Management Service Agreement. Services often include one or more of the following

Capital formation strategy — identify and pre-qualify the optimal source(s) of private or institutional debt finance, sometimes supplemented by private equity investments, subordinated debt, or other forms. Start by using our Readiness & Innovation Navigator (RAIN), then evaluate your options.
Business planning — we can help develop or polish your project business plan (quite different than a venture investment business plan; review the differences), to ensure that your proposed project meets with success. If you already have a project business plan, we also offer effective review or critique, once the capital sources(s) have been identified. Business model design to carry out strategy benefits from market intelligence and assessing market timing, which always requires an insightful read (interpretation) of current trends, drivers and benchmarks or case studies, which is the opposite of anything cookie-cutter.
Project financial modelling — from cash flow analysis to ratio requirements review … let our certified analysts guide you to defensible and transparent projections that meet or exceed expectations
Transaction de-risking — Risk analysis and mitigation solutions such as financial guarantees or, pledges of collateral, credit enhancement, and for some projects, evaluate the need for available offtaker / commercial / all risk insurance
Facilitation or sources Financial Completion Assurance Guarantees | definition
Management team qualifications (resume/CV) review to capture highlights; identify how to present any gaps
Structuring transactions, including coordinating with attorneys, accountants and other professionals
Project search/selection/development: Not yet clear about the project itself? Elements or partners missing? Issues that need to be resolved before proceeding? Ask us for confidential consultation.
Pre-qualification project evaluation prior to application — assess the degree of fit prior to making a contractual commitment.
Preparation of documentation — executive summary and presentations, including coaching on delivery, to obtain financing.

Coaching & Education

In³ principals have delivered hundreds of workshops, conferences, team-building, planning, discussion forums, round-tables and seminars for thousands of professionals in the US and internationally (see Daniel Robin & Associates). We also provide individual coaching and group facilitation services that management teams find quite useful. Today we offer programs that clarify and inspire, focus on innovation for sustainability, investing/fundraising, entrepreneurship, management, strategy, effective team communication and more. Read our educational services overview and ask us about your specific issues, goals or learning objectives.

Events

We are presently offering a series of Invitation-only Events for asset owners, asset managers, family offices (both single and multi), companies and accredited institutional investors who are interested in achieving their purpose through an innovative, low-risk, high-reward structure — backing Completion Assurance guarantees for showcased products that fit with specific themes. Contact us for more information or the schedule.
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Services – All

In³ Finance Services — What We Offer