Independent Debt and Capital Advice for Mid‑Market Transactions
Our Approach
Debt and capital decisions are rarely isolated events. They influence financial flexibility, risk, valuation, and the options available to a business over time. Whether funding growth, financing an acquisition, refinancing existing obligations, or navigating a transition, capital structure decisions can shape outcomes for years.
We provide independent debt and capital advisory for private and mid market businesses. Our role is to evaluate financing options, explain trade offs, and run a disciplined process to secure capital that fits the business and ownership objectives. We often work with clients who have outgrown straightforward bank financing or want an objective view before committing to a capital structure.
What We Do
We advise private and mid‑market businesses on a wide range of debt and capital matters, from growth financing to refinancing and transaction‑related capital decisions.
Our focus is not simply on accessing capital, but on structuring financing solutions that balance cost, flexibility, and risk while supporting long‑term objectives.
Our advisory services include:
Growth and acquisition financing advisory
Refinancing and recapitalization advisory
Senior, subordinated, and private credit advisory services
Shareholder liquidity and balance sheet optimization
Capital structure assessment as part of transaction planning
We work closely with management teams, shareholders, lenders, investors, and legal advisors to ensure capital decisions are well informed, sustainable, and aligned with broader strategic goals.
Why Capital Structure Matters
Capital structure affects far more than interest rates and financing availability. It directly influences financial resilience, control, covenant flexibility, and the ability to pursue future opportunities.
An overly restrictive structure can limit growth, increase risk, or constrain options during periods of uncertainty. A well‑designed capital structure can enhance stability, preserve flexibility, and support stronger valuation and exit outcomes.
Our advisory approach emphasizes understanding these implications before capital decisions are made, rather than reacting after commitments are locked in.
Our Debt & Capital Services
Growth and Acquisition Financing Advisory
We advise clients on financing strategies to support organic growth and acquisitions. This includes assessing sustainable debt capacity, comparing financing alternatives, and structuring capital that supports strategic objectives while preserving flexibility. The objective is to support growth initiatives without introducing unnecessary financial risk.
Refinancing and Recapitalization Advisory
We help clients evaluate refinancing and recapitalization opportunities to improve flexibility, reduce risk, or better align capital with the current stage of the business. This may involve replacing existing debt, adjusting terms or maturities, or rebalancing debt and equity to support long‑term objectives.
Senior, Subordinated, and Private Credit Advisory Services
We provide independent advice across senior bank financing, subordinated debt, and private credit solutions. We help clients compare options based on pricing, covenant structure, flexibility, and risk, allowing informed decisions without bias toward any lender, product, or capital provider.
Shareholder Liquidity and Balance Sheet Optimization
We advise on capital solutions that provide shareholder liquidity while maintaining a healthy and sustainable balance sheet. This includes structuring debt to support partial liquidity events and aligning shareholder objectives with lender requirements so personal financial goals do not compromise business stability.
Capital Structure Assessment for Transaction Planning
We assess capital structure considerations as part of broader transaction planning. This includes evaluating existing debt, identifying potential constraints, and understanding how capital decisions may impact valuation, buyer interest, and transaction outcomes. The goal is to ensure capital structure supports transaction readiness and value realization.
When Clients Typically Engage Us
Clients commonly engage us when they are:
Evaluating financing to support growth or acquisitions
Refinancing or restructuring existing debt
Assessing private credit or alternative financing options
Planning a transaction or ownership transition
Reviewing capital structure as part of strategic planning
In many cases, our debt and capital advisory work is closely connected to valuation analysis, merger and acquisition planning, and broader shareholder objectives.
Independent Advice
We are not a lender and we are not compensated by financing providers.
Our advice is independent and objective, allowing us to evaluate financing alternatives solely through the lens of our clients’ objectives. This ensures recommendations are practical, unbiased, and aligned with long‑term outcomes rather than transaction volume.
Integrated with Valuations and M&A Advisory
Debt and capital decisions are often connected to valuation, transaction planning, and shareholder outcomes.
We frequently integrate our debt & capital advisory with our valuation and M&A advisory services to ensure capital decisions are made with a clear understanding of their impact on value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can KitsWest improve my financing terms?
By analyzing multiple financing alternatives, preparing comprehensive lender materials, and helping you negotiate favorable pricing, covenants, and financing structures aligned with your business goals.
Are your recommendations independent?
Yes. As an independent advisory firm, we are not tied to any specific lender and act solely in the client’s interests.
What if our situation is complex?
We can evaluate and present alternative and hybrid financing options, including bespoke debt solutions, to address challenging or non-standard financing requirements.
How is KitsWest different from a lender or financing broker?
We provide independent advice and are not compensated by lenders. Our role is to evaluate options objectively and represent the client’s interests throughout the process.
When should a business engage a debt and capital advisor?
Typically during growth initiatives, acquisitions, refinancing, or when evaluating alternative or private credit solutions.
Do you work with private‑equity‑backed businesses?
Yes. We advise both sponsor‑backed and owner‑managed companies, tailoring capital structures to transaction objectives and ownership priorities.
