BondIt Media Capital is a specialty finance company providing structured debt capital across film & television, music, live entertainment, sports, digital media and media-related businesses. Since 2013, BondIt has deployed $600M+ across 500+ transactions globally.
No, BondIt is a senior secured media lender whose name derives from the lending on SAG, DGA and IATSE payroll deposits (often referred to as “bonds”).
BondIt is able to work with filmmakers across the spectrum of experience and pedigree; our company was built on assisting and providing value to early stage filmmakers with the same dedication that we provide our world-class clients. If your project financing opportunity has a significant element of unencumbered collateral (i.e. An asset without any lien or “charge”), BondIt would be pleased to consider financing your project.
We underwrite around four core pillars: People + Collateral + Repayment + Structure. We look for experienced operators, identifiable collateral or contracted cash flows, a clear path to repayment and a structure that appropriately protects BondIt capital. Collateral may include receivables, tax credits, distribution agreements, ticket sales, royalties, catalogs/libraries, equipment, IP and corporate assets, depending on the opportunity.
BondIt is able to begin reviewing projects in the early development phase to assist with structuring and guidance of the finance plan. However, BondIt is only able to provide capital for projects that are in pre-production, production, post-production or completed which in all cases have sufficient unencumbered collateral available.
There are not necessarily pre-approved (or auto-denied) loan applications on the basis of the Payors (e.g. sales and distribution companies, tax credit offices etc.). However, BondIt’s appetite to invest in your project may be influenced by our view of the Payors creditworthiness today, jurisdiction, or even specific elements of the underlying contract. We are always happy to help guide your project toward our many first class partners (whether distributors, vendors, sales agents, executive producers etc.) which earn our stamp of approval after withstanding the test of time and experience.
BondIt welcomes project submissions 24/7. Applications submitted electronically through our website at www.BondIt.us, or via email at info@BondIt.us.
Film & Television | Music | Live Events & Experiential | Sports | Digital Media & Creators | Media Companies.
Both. BondIt can provide project-level financing as well as corporate working capital, revolving facilities, acquisition/M&A financing and loans secured by diversified pools of assets or receivables.
Yes. BondIt can consider library/catalog acquisitions, corporate acquisitions, asset purchases and other strategic transactions where there is defensible collateral and a clear repayment structure.
Potential structures include catalog and royalty financing, touring, artist/label advances, contracted receivables and financing for music companies.
BondIt can consider festivals, tours, venues, experiential/immersive attractions and recurring live-event businesses. Depending on the transaction, underwriting may include ticket receivables, contracted sponsorship, equipment/assets, IP, venue rights and broader corporate cash flows.
BondIt can evaluate opportunities involving events, leagues, teams, athletes, media/event rights and contracted receivables, subject to transaction-specific underwriting.
BondIt can consider creators, platforms, digital content businesses, licensing and advertising receivables, digital libraries/channels, and other emerging media companies.
Recent credits include the box-office hit Terrifier 3, the Anna Kendrick starring Woman of the Hour from Netflix, the Anthony Hopkins / Bill Skarsgard thriller Locked, the Elements Music & Arts Festival, the Pan’s Labyrinth re-release, and the New Immersive Van Gogh.
BondIt is fundamentally a debt investor. Our primary investment product is structured and senior secured credit; however, certain transactions may include warrants, profit participation or other negotiated upside alongside the debt investment.
BondIt is highly selective in offering gap/mezzanine loans to projects, but we do consider them on a project by project basis, and welcome all submissions.
BondIt provides the only entertainment industry cash flow solution for union deposits including SAG-AFTRA, DGA, IATSE and more. Each respective guild requires that the production pays a ‘performance deposit’, which is held by the Union(s) until production has been completed and all financial obligations to the union members have been satisfied. It is common for the deposits to take over 6 months to be returned, which creates significant cash flow issues for the production. BondIt can advance the deposit amount(s) back to production at a discount, thereby freeing up the cash flow, enabling a more streamlined production process, and providing the critically important certainty of funds for a successful production.
The process for working with BondIt on union deposit financing is as follows:
No.
No. BondIt is almost always the last money into a finance plan (primary exception being Bridge Loans) and does not make speculative loans to court talent.
No. BondIt only provides bridge loans against the “permanent” finance plan closing, whereby the “take out” is an institutional investor such as a bank, well known financial institution (e.g. hedge fund, private equity group, family office) which will “hold” the underlying loan through maturity (typically 18 months). To be eligible for a bridge loan, the financing institution will have had to issue you a fully executed LOI or term sheet to finance your project. BondIt does not finance speculative take-outs or re-financings.
BondIt is backed by MEP Capital, a New York based private investment firm focused in media and entertainment. Additionally, BondIt has an institutionally backed credit facility and multiple family office shareholders.
No.
No.
Maybe. BondIt will review all submissions from around the world and will tell you quickly whether or not your jurisdiction is eligible for a loan at this time. The United Kingdom is a common exception for BondIt.
No. BondIt is able to provide loan financing to projects which cannot or will not get a completion bond. BondIt will assess the various risks of the specific projects and in most cases, will potentially require a personal guarantee and corporate guarantee from the producers and an additional non-shell company (i.e. A different company that is not the borrower).
BondIt typically focuses on financings of $1M–$25M+, with larger facilities considered selectively.
BondIt has three full time partners who review all projects. If we finance your project, you will have a point person that is a decision maker in the business. We do not outsource anything and all decisions run through the management team. Typically, the team is divided into the following responsibilities:
Once BondIt receives all necessary and relevant information for the initial review process:
BondIt has built end-to-end tech-enabled systems which support every step of your experience with BondIt while maintaining our personalized approach. Our committment to you is always to be value add with speed, responsiveness and accountability.
Requirements (or “Conditions Precedent”) vary due to the project specifics. Please refer to our website (www.BondIt.us) for an outline of typical requirements. A BondIt representative can provide a closing checklist upon request.
Yes. BondIt is able to participate with other private equity financiers, private lenders, banks and institutions so long as the specific collateral granted to BondIt is sufficient and unencumbered (i.e. no other financier has been pledged that piece of collateral).
Please visit our sister company Buffalo 8 to review our B8 Services division options in regards to helping assemble the necessary elements (senior security components) required for a senior lender to consider funding.
BondIt typically charges between 12% – 25% per year based on the size, duration and security/risk parameters of your specific project. Pricing guidance is a loose estimation and can vary greatly depending on project specifics.
BondIt typically charges an additional 2% – 10% (depending on size) of the total loan as a set up fee to structure, underwrite, close and manage the transaction through maturity. BondIt typically reduces the loan proceeds by this fee (in other words, we provide you the capital to pay it).
BondIt must charge for the legal fees incurred in connection with underwriting and documenting of each loan. For smaller deals, the fee is typically between $10-15K. For larger transactions, the fee can be considerably higher and based on the specifics of the transaction. We hire only expert but efficient attorneys so that every dollar not necessary can be “put on screen”. At the signing of a term sheet, BondIt typically requires an upfront, non-refundable legal deposit to commence work. The amount required will be specific to the transaction and will be communicated to you as early as possible.
BondIt requires a first priority, perfected security interest in at least one element of collateral (i.e. unencumbered pre-sales/receivables contracts, tax credits, minimum guarantees, negative pick-ups, etc. In all most cases without a completion bond, BondIt will also require both a personal and an additional corporate guarantee.