Leverest

Leverest operates a digital platform specializing in debt financing, functioning as a marketplace to connect borrowers—comprising private equity funds, debt advisors, and corporations—with an extensive network of lenders. The company was founded in 2020 by Jan-Moritz Hohn, with co-founders Ferdinand Dabitz and Johannes Schnell joining shortly after. The founders identified a gap in the debt market, which was characterized by opacity and inefficiency, and aimed to digitize and streamline the debt transaction process.

The platform facilitates the entire debt deal lifecycle, from initiation to closing, by providing tools for matching, process management, and data analysis. Borrowers can present their financing requests to a wide array of over 400 lenders, including banks, debt funds, and private credit providers, thereby increasing transparency and competition. For lenders, Leverest offers direct access to a curated pipeline of transactions, enhancing their deal origination capabilities. The business model is based on generating revenue from both sides of the marketplace; lenders pay a subscription fee to be on the platform, and borrowers are also charged for its use, ensuring a diversified income stream.

In a significant milestone, Leverest secured a seven-figure seed funding round in 2022, which included participation from Lasse Rheingans, co-founder of the Voigt-Salus Group. This capital infusion was aimed at expanding the team and further developing the platform's features. The company targets the lower and mid-cap M&A market, facilitating transactions and refinancing deals with typical debt volumes ranging from €10 million to €250 million.

Keywords: debt financing, private equity, M&A, debt advisory, lending marketplace, fintech, deal origination, corporate finance, private credit, leveraged finance