Professional financial and legal advice
Search for Financing in Colombia
At Heritage, we don't just structure financing. We forge partnerships to build the legacy of leading middle-market companies in Colombia.
We dedicate our experience, network, and resources to a specific company profile, guaranteeing a level of attention and sophistication that makes the difference. Our ideal client is a company that:
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Has a proven business model and has reached a relevant operational scale in its sector.
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Is at a strategic inflection point: ready for accelerated growth, preparing for a sale, or navigating a complex generational transition.
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Values an advisory relationship based on trust and seeks a strategic partner whose success is directly aligned with its own, not a mere transactional intermediary.
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Is led by leaders who think in terms of long-term legacy and seek to maximize the value created over a lifetime of work.
Deuda y Financiación Bancaria
La financiación por deuda, como los préstamos bancarios y las líneas de crédito, es una opción tradicional y flexible. Este tipo de fondeo es ideal para empresas que buscan capital sin ceder parte de su propiedad. Ofrece un flujo de pagos predecible y puede ser utilizada para expansión, capital de trabajo o refinanciación.
Fondos de Inversión Especializados
Un fondo de inversión se ha consolidado como una fuente de capital estratégica para empresas en crecimiento. A diferencia de las opciones tradicionales, estos fondos pueden ofrecer una gama de soluciones más sofisticadas y a la medida. Existen dos tipos principales de especialización:
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Fondos de 'Equity': Estos fondos invierten directamente en el capital de la empresa. Pueden adquirir participaciones minoritarias, lo que les permite ser socios estratégicos sin tomar el control, o bien participaciones mayoritarias, asumiendo un rol de control para impulsar transformaciones operativas y estratégicas.
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Fondos de Deuda Privada: Estos fondos otorgan préstamos a empresas fuera del circuito bancario tradicional. Se especializan en ofrecer soluciones flexibles, como la deuda mezzanine o créditos estructurados, que se ajustan a las necesidades específicas del proyecto. Esta opción es ideal para empresas que buscan capital sin dilución de sus accionistas, con estructuras de pago más flexibles.
Créditos Sindicados: Una Solución Poderosa
Para proyectos de gran envergadura o adquisiciones, los créditos sindicados ofrecen una solución robusta. Un consorcio de bancos y entidades financieras se une para proveer un único préstamo de gran volumen. Esta estructura permite a las empresas acceder a montos significativos de capital con términos unificados.
Specialized Consulting in Financing Search
Our team of experts designs and implements tailored financing solutions, ensuring not only the necessary capital but also the right strategic partner for the next chapter of your business.
Project Finance
Structuring and Raising Capital (Debt and/or Equity)
We design optimal capital structures that balance growth, control, and cost of capital. Through our extensive network of contacts, we connect our clients with private equity funds, family offices, and strategic investors actively seeking investment opportunities in the Colombian middle market. Our focus is on finding a partner who shares their vision and provides value beyond financial resources.
Strategic Financial Consulting
We act as your trusted long-term advisors. Our services go beyond the execution of a specific transaction, encompassing business valuation, analysis of strategic alternatives (organic vs. inorganic growth), and preparing the company for future liquidity events. We apply immense financial, legal, and operational detail to ensure that each strategic decision is based on rigorous analysis.
We provide specialized advice for the financing of large-scale investment projects, from the expansion of production capacity to the development of new business units. We structure non-recourse or limited-recourse financing solutions that mitigate risks and maximize project returns—an essential service offered by leading investment banks.
Optimization and Restructuring of Liabilities
For companies seeking to strengthen their financial position, we offer a comprehensive analysis of their liability structure. We design and negotiate restructuring processes that optimize terms, rates, and conditions, freeing up cash flow and creating a solid and sustainable financial platform for future growth. This service is key for companies in transition, as recognized by other market advisors.
Our Process:
Discipline, Strategy, and Value Maximization
Our methodological process is designed to provide clarity, discipline, and, above all, to maximize value at every stage of the transaction.
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Diagnosis and Strategic Alignment
We begin with a deep dive to understand not only your business but also your personal and family goals, similar to the relational approach of niche specialists. Together, we define the success criteria for the transaction.
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Identification and Contact with Funders
We access our curated network of local and international funders to identify the most suitable potential funding sources. We manage the entire contact process with the utmost confidentiality.
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Valuation and Structuring
We apply a rigorous analysis to value your company or project and prepare all the necessary materials to present the funding opportunity in the most robust way possible. This is where we structure the ideal transaction to meet your objectives.
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Expert Negotiation and Closing
Our negotiation and decision analysis experts lead negotiations to go beyond the initial valuation and secure the best possible terms. Our goal is to significantly impact the final value of the transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions about Funding Search
When is the ideal time to seek financing? The best time is when you have a clear vision and a detailed plan for how the funds will be used to generate value. It's ideal to seek capital from a position of strength (good results, proven growth) rather than waiting for an urgent need for liquidity.
How long does a capital raising process take? A typical process can take between 4 and 8 months. This includes the preparation phase, investor presentation, term sheet negotiation, investor due diligence, and legal closing.
Why do I need an investment banking advisor if I already have access to banks? This is a fundamental question. Successful financing is a dynamic process of strategy, positioning, marketing, and, crucially, negotiation. Our role as advisors is to go beyond that initial contact. We create a competitive environment among funders, manage the complexity of the project, and use our negotiation experience to optimize every aspect of the agreement, from price to contractual terms. The difference between a contact and the final value obtained in a well-advised financing transaction can be substantial, generating a return that far exceeds the cost of the advice.
What's best for my company: debt or equity? The answer depends on the stage of your company, its profitability, and your growth plans. Debt is generally cheaper and doesn't dilute ownership, but it requires stable cash flow to service it. Equity involves transferring an equity stake, but doesn't require fixed payments and is often accompanied by a strategic partner. Often, the optimal solution is a combination of both.
What financing options are available for a growing company in Colombia? Growing companies in Colombia have access to a range of options, each with its own implications. These include traditional bank debt, private debt (provided by specialized funds), private equity in exchange for an equity stake, or the addition of a strategic investor. The "best" option is not universal; it critically depends on your specific objectives regarding speed of growth, dilution of shareholder control, and your long-term vision for your legacy.
In what situations should you consider Structured Debt instead of a standard bank loan? You should consider Structured Debt when your financing needs are complex and do not fit the mold of a traditional loan. Typical scenarios include a leveraged buyout (LBO/MBO), a recapitalization to pay dividends to partners, or financing an aggressive growth plan that cannot be backed by traditional collateral. Structured Debt combines different instruments (e.g., senior debt with mezzanine or subordinated debt) to create a tailored solution that offers greater flexibility in terms, payments, and conditions (covenants) than a standard loan.
What documentation do I need to initiate a capital raising process? Initially, we'll need your historical financial statements (3-5 years), detailed financial projections, a business plan that explains the strategy and use of funds, and profiles of the management team. Our team will help you refine and organize this information into a professional investment package.
What is financing like during a corporate reorganization process? Financing in a reorganization context (protected by Law 1116, for example) is highly specialized. It often involves structures such as DIP (Debtor-in-Possession) financing, which gives priority to new creditors. Securing capital in these circumstances requires a deep understanding of the legal framework, an accurate valuation of the company's assets and potential post-reorganization, and access to a network of specialized investors who understand the inherent risks and opportunities.
What is the fundamental difference between project finance and a traditional corporate loan? The key difference lies in the source of repayment and the collateral. In a corporate loan, the bank analyzes your company's entire balance sheet and repayment capacity, and the collateral is typically the company's assets. In project finance, financing is provided to a new legal entity created exclusively for the project (an SPV or Special Purpose Vehicle). Lenders base their credit analysis almost exclusively on the future cash flows that the project itself will generate, with limited or no recourse to shareholders. It is ideal for capital-intensive, long-term projects, such as infrastructure or energy.