Process

LENDER PROCESS:
Please review this section thoroughly before submitting projects. We strictly adhere to our Lenders’ procedures, which are non-negotiable. Proceed only if you can comply and are comfortable with this process.

Each finance inquiry undergoes the Stage Project Financing Processes:​

Initial Project Assessment:

1. Evaluation of project eligibility via our Initial Project pre Qualification Form.
   • Documents you are advised to provide for review:
   • Project details in the form of an Executive Summary, Project Teaser, or Pitch Deck.
   • Feasibility Studies and Appraisals (where available)
   • Details of Collateral (investment-grade; a proof of collateral will be required should lenders decide to engage with the project)
   • Long-term Contracts or Offtake Agreements (where available)Please be aware that preliminary due diligence will be conducted on the Project, Project Principals and Project Sponsors.
2. Pre-Underwriting: Preliminary review of the project based on initial submission details.
3. Underwriting: In-depth examination of project documents and associated parties via the Virtual Data Room (VDR), including but not limited to the Team’s CVs and experience, Proforma/ IRR, Construction/Project Budget & Draw Schedule, Sources & Uses, Site Control Status, and any available Feasibility Studies.​ Lender applies its proprietary Underwriting Predictive Model (UPM) to assess each project’s viability, risk profile, and alignment with funding thresholds.
4. Final Underwriting: Issuance of a term sheet following deeper evaluation and additional document requests.
5. Contract Stage: All agreements are finalized after thorough risk management.
6. Closing: Project Owner transfers collateral per instructions, triggering Family Office or lender responsibilities.
7. Post Closing: Funds are disbursed in a structured draw schedule aligned with project milestones. Repayment follows per loan terms. Collateral is secured via a pledge in the SPV and a first lien on the project.

Problem

Many projects fail to launch after being declined by traditional financial institutions. Turning to the private lending market often means navigating a maze of intermediaries, secrecy, and inefficiencies, requiring countless hours of networking, emails, and calls.

Solution

We solve this problem by providing project owners and sponsors direct access to Private Debt Lenders, bypassing unnecessary barriers once a project passes our initial project assessment and is deemed eligible.

Our approach simplifies the initial project assessment into a single form, saving project owners time and effort while enabling lenders to quickly determine if they can support your project

Lenders assess financing eligibility by reviewing the Initial Project Assessment form alongside essential documents such as the Executive Summary, Feasibility Studies or Team Experience. This pre-underwriting step is designed to be brief and efficient.

When a project meets the lending criteria, we guide you through the next steps, ensuring a smooth transition to underwriting and beyond.

Please note that all projects must demonstrate Readiness/Willingness/Able or include 10–30% Cash Collateral in USD/EUR/CHF, from a primary bank to pass the Initial Project Assessment. Collateral is not used for the project but pledged as security. Inquiries without collateral details will not be processed.

We are a leader in providing business funding solutions. We screen Projects for a remarkable number of private funding sources around the world, principally: offshore money management groups, very large trusts, funds, pension plans, and several boutique investment groups, ALL of which are seeking sensible Projects with solid profit potential… and they are lending!

CREATE A COMPLETE BUSINESS PLAN

BUY OUR TEMPLATE IF YOU WISH HERE: A properly developed and comprehensive BUSINESS PLAN is an effective selling document in the quest for private capital. Should you need assistance in the development of such a plan, please contact us via email use the link provided.

Not All projects Are Fundable.

The fact that you may have a project with or without a business plan is not a guarantee to project financing.

We first need to know your project(s) actually fits our deal fundamentals, as our partners place capital based on a well-proven investment thesis.  Otherwise, without that first step, we could be wasting each other’s time. 

Capital Guarantee

Capital guarantees are a promise by the guarantor to stand for (assume the debt obligation) of a borrower in the event of default.  Some involve fees; some do not.  Why obtain such a guarantee?  The extra effort of obtaining a capital guarantee pays massive dividends in terms of making more affordable capital available. Projects qualify for these terms, the best you will likely find, and greatly expedite the process. Typically capital is either fast or inexpensive, but here you get both!

Fill In The Pre-qualification Application Form

Apply

Process

Guaranteed Financing Process

1. Debt-to-equity ratio:  Up to 100% of the project budget can be financed. No new cash (“unexpended funds”) need necessarily be invested by the developers or sponsors when using a capital guarantee sent via SWIFT. 
2. Stage of project: Does not need to be shovel-ready (if some additional development steps are needed before construction, that may be fine). All the various uses of funds must be properly disclosed, verified, and fall within standard guidelines.
3. Size range: Minimum: $25 million
   Maximum per project or portfolio:  $4 billion.  Note that larger portfolios typically take longer to close.
4. Loan term, type, and tenor: 3% APR fixed if the bank issuing the capital guarantee is rated as one of the top 200 banks in the world. Lower-tier banks may result in a slightly higher APR.
   • Loan length (tenor) can be 4-20 years or more. Note: APR is fixed, and does not vary with the length of the loan. Repay in full at any time before the maturity date without penalty.
   • The asset class is most similar to a mezzanine or subordinated debt with an equity kicker. There is no senior debt required or used — thus no lien against operating assets.
   • Minority carried interest (equity stake; see below) requested for the life of the project with an adequate capital guarantee.
5. Equity interest: A minority equity stake in the SPV based the rating of the instrument and bank used, amount of preparation required from our side, and the role you wish us to play (such as whether or not we’re involved in asset construction or O&M), years of coverage for a Bank Guarantee (see below), and whether you require 100% financing and/or early-stage development financing. This is negotiated on a case-by-case basis thus difficult to predict. 
   We strive to leave as much of the “retained earnings” as possible for the company to grow and succeed. The investment is effectively a “hybrid” of debt and equity and what’s typical is 15-40% equity with full BG/SBLC or Avalized Promissory Note coverage during construction, but that is a topic for discussion upon completion of due diligence.

Using Cash as Capital Completion Assurance Guarantee

6. Timing to receive funds: Closing within 30 days and first funds arrive within 30-45 days after closing. Closing follows quickly after receipt of the Bank Guarantee hard copy (first sent via SWIFT MT-760 with bank RWA letter) or Avalized Promissory Note (APN) or Sovereign Guarantee hard copy sent via courier.

7. Draw schedule: Funding is provided in stages, per a published and agreed-upon monthly draw schedule, to complete any remaining development, then procurement, asset construction and commissioning.

8. Cost: we ask for a fixed consulting fee, received for financing the project at these favorable terms, based on the project’s size and our scope of work.

Advantageous Project Financing — “faster, easier, better”

To qualify for project funding, available from a US family office, the following more detailed requirements must be met:

1. Size: Project funding request of $25 million or more
   • Portfolio approach: Funding can be for an individual project or multiple, related projects in a portfolio under a single Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
   • Availability/Deferral Period (Interest-only): up to ~3 years, typically
   • Debt-to-Equity: We can finance up to 100% of the budget, but just not less than $25 million; we usually prefer projects of at least $50+ million.
     NOTE: Traditional ratios for leverage do not apply. In other words, no new cash (“unexpended funds”) would be required to reach closing when using a capital guarantee, typically in place during construction ONLY. See #7, below.
2. Type of Capital: Combination of debt (mezzanine) and equity, typically with a minority carried interest, to be negotiated upon completion of our due diligence. Non-recourse debt component does not require collateral — no lien against operating assets.
3. SPACE (sector) for new construction only: must involve construction of tangible project assets. This is typical of most project finance, from real estate development to various types of infrastructure.
4. STAGE of project: Does not need to be shovel-ready (if some additional development steps are needed before construction, that may be fine). Almost anything that a reasonably beyond the idea (concept/inception) stage. All the various uses of funds must be properly disclosed, verified, and fall within standard guidelines.
5. LOCATION of project: The project must be located in Africa
6. RISK/REWARD PROFILE: Reasonable operating profit and risk (following completion of construction). Commercial customer(s) would be evident, so that the project will be financially feasible and self-sustaining. Different rules apply under a Sovereign Guarantee.
7. SURETY: Capital Guarantee size and source Guarantee size relative to funding: For optimal terms (we typically offer 3% fixed APR loan for up to 20 years, asking for a minority carried interest), provide a Bank Guarantee or Standby Letter of Credit (BG/SBLC) of 50% or more (ideally 70-100%) of the project’s required funding, issued by a rated bank. See below for other options besides a developer-issued BG/SBLC, which include tapping a sponsor, using an Avalized Promissory Note (APN),
8. Duration: This annual guarantee instrument would remain in place at the issuing bank until the project reaches Commercial Operation Date (COD). Usually corresponds to the interest-only Deferral Period.
9. Source of the Capital Guarantee? Guarantee can come from the developer if sufficient assets are available to cover the first-year issuing bank fee, or can be from a different stakeholder in the project, serving as a “sponsor“, such as an EPC firm, OEM or General Contractor. 
10. NOTE regarding In3’s role with helping developers obtain a capital guarantee: Although In3 personnel can help guide the process, offering templates, sample contracts, and tools to accelerate understanding, getting potential sponsors on-board, we do not typically get involved in finding sponsors for our client’s projects.
11. TRANSACTION: Issuing Bank & Legal Structure Issuing Bank: For sovereign or bank guarantees, use a top-rated bank, when possible. We prefer banks that are SWIFT RMA or RMA Plus registered, but can usually accommodate any rated commercial bank. If you are uncertain, ask us.
12. Legal Entity: Establish a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that owns the project assets, either in the host country, USA, or United Kingdom, but other locations can be discussed.
13. Optional Escrow Account: Debt service (loan payments) and distributions handled through the SPV’s bank account, often via a mutually-appointed escrow agent, arranged by the developer.
14. HOW TO START: To pre-qualify and get an estimate of the equity split, please provide the following disclosures or use our Proposal Builder:Disclosure of budgetary Uses of Funds Customary uses of funds for mostly tangible assets.
15. Monthly draws of capital, not one lump sum. We strive for even monthly draws, tied to critical-path milestones in the construction schedules. 
16. To begin our due diligence, send the project summary and an RWA letter . Issuing bank sends an RWA (Ready, Willing & Able) letter, effectively a bank’s Letter of Intent, to our receiving bank’s account officer, used to confirm the authenticity of transaction. Later, as the final step before financial closing, once all contracts are negotiated, agreed and signed, the actual instrument — Bank Guarantee / Standby Letter of Credit (BG/SBLC), Sovereign Guarantee (SG), or Avalized Promissory Note (see below) would be notified via SWIFT then hardcopy sent via courier to the receiving bank.

Using Non Cash As A Guarantee

Some lenders do require the use of Non Cash assets as an option to securing financing. The videos below will explain how this provide the completion assurance security for the Family Office to finance 100% of the project.