Institutional Finance Glossary

23 institutional finance terms for McKinney SaaS founders and CFOs.

A
ARR Annual Recurring Revenue

Total annualized value of subscription contracts. The primary underwriting metric for SaaS debt instruments.

ARR Liquidity Framework → ARR to Cash Flow → ARR Financing Comparison →
ARR Multiple

The ratio of loan value to ARR. Typically 3x–7x for institutional SaaS debt.

ARR Valuation Matrix → ARR-Based Acquisitions →
Advance Rate

The multiple of qualifying ARR a lender will advance as a loan facility. Typical range is 30–60% of ARR for institutional lenders and 70–95% of ACV for fintech ARR platforms. Determined by NRR, churn rate, and logo concentration.

ARR Underwriting Criteria → How to Size an ARR Loan → Lender Comparison 2026 →
B
Bridge Loan

Short-term capital deployed to cover operational gaps. Repaid upon next capital event.

72-Hour Bridge Framework → Bridge Debt Protocols →
Burn Rate

Net cash outflow per month. Indicates capital consumption velocity.

Runway Risk Delta → MRR Velocity Audit →
C
Capital Stack

The hierarchy of debt and equity financing. Senior debt sits above mezzanine and equity.

Debt Selection Matrix → Institutional Debt Protocols →
Capital Velocity

Speed at which capital can be accessed and deployed. Measured in hours.

72-Hour Deploy → Velocity Audit →
Churn Rate

Percentage of ARR lost per period. Critical underwriting variable for SaaS debt.

ARR Liquidity Framework → MRR Loan Protocol →
Collateral

Asset pledged as security for a loan. Liquidated upon default.

Texas SaaS Collateral Matrix → IP as Collateral →
D
Debt Covenant

Contractual restriction imposed by a lender. May include minimum ARR or cash balances.

Covenant Comparison → Post-Series A Debt →
Debt-to-ARR Ratio

Total outstanding debt divided by ARR. Measures leverage intensity.

Debt Selection Matrix → Runway Risk Delta →
DSCR Debt Service Coverage Ratio

Operating cash flow divided by total debt service (principal + interest) for a given period. Most ARR lenders require a trailing-12-month DSCR of 1.2x–1.5x minimum. A DSCR above 2.0x typically unlocks premium advance rates and covenant flexibility.

DSCR Model Schedule → Covenant Structures → Underwriting Criteria →
Dilution

Reduction in existing shareholder ownership percentage. Occurs when new equity is issued.

Equity Preservation Protocol → Non-Dilutive Buyout Capital →
I
Intangible Asset

Non-physical asset with economic value. Includes software IP, patents, and brand.

Intangible Asset Loans → Software Buyout Debt → IP Asset Appraisal →
IP Collateral

Using intellectual property as security for a loan. Requires formal valuation.

IP Collateral Metrics → Texas IP Appraisal Standards →
L
LBO Leveraged Buyout

Acquisition financed primarily with debt. Target company's assets serve as collateral.

Sub-$10M SaaS LBO Protocol → ARR-Based Acquisitions →
Logo Retention

The percentage of customer accounts (logos) retained from one period to the next, independent of revenue value. ARR lenders use logo retention alongside revenue retention to assess customer concentration risk and portfolio durability. Most institutional lenders require logo retention above 80% annually.

Churn-Adjusted ARR → Underwriting Criteria →
M
MRR Monthly Recurring Revenue

Monthly subscription revenue. Multiplied by 12 to derive ARR.

MRR Loan Protocol → MRR Velocity Audit →
N
NRR Net Revenue Retention

ARR retention including expansions, minus churn and contractions. >100% is institutional.

ARR Liquidity Framework → Debt Selection Matrix →
Non-Dilutive Capital

Financing that does not require issuing equity or warrants. Founders retain full ownership.

Equity Preservation Protocol → Fort Logic Framework → Non-Dilutive Buyout Capital →
R
Requisition Eligibility

Round Rock Requisition's internal scoring framework. Assesses ARR, NRR, and burn rate against institutional debt criteria.

Capital Access Protocol → Debt Selection Matrix →
Revenue Factoring

Selling future recurring revenue at a discount for immediate capital. No equity exchange.

ARR Liquidity Framework → Factoring vs. Venture Debt → Factoring ARR for M&A →
Runway

Months of operating capital remaining at current burn rate. Calculated: Cash ÷ Monthly Burn.

Runway Risk Delta → Bridge Debt Protocols →
S
Series A

First institutional venture capital round. Typically $3M–$15M for SaaS.

Post-Series A Debt → Celina Tech Frontier →
U
UCC Article 9 Uniform Commercial Code

The section of the Uniform Commercial Code governing security interests in personal property, including accounts receivable and software IP. ARR lenders perfect their lien on a borrower's recurring revenue stream by filing a UCC-1 financing statement. Texas operators are subject to UCC Article 9 as adopted under the Texas Business & Commerce Code.

Term Sheet Checklist → ARR Underwriting Criteria →
Underwriting

The process of evaluating borrower creditworthiness before issuing capital.

Institutional Underwriting Matrix → IP Collateral Metrics →
V
Venture Debt

Debt financing structured for venture-backed companies. Typically requires warrants.

Venture Debt vs. Factoring → Post-Series A Debt →

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72-hour deployment. No equity exchange. Institutional terms.

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