Raise capital while keeping control of your company.
Private equity firms typically acquire a controlling stake. A capital raise lets founders bring in investors and still run the business. SugarTime prepares companies for that process, from the pitch deck and data room to the corporate structure investors expect.
Founded by David Sugarman, whose Wall Street career began in 1995 and includes Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank Securities.
Start your application
Step 1 of 2 · About two minutes
Submitting an application creates no obligation.
Typical timeline
Timelines vary by company. Funding is never guaranteed.
Application review
1 week
Preparation of materials
6 weeks
Typical investor process
6 to 8 months
Two paths to funding, with very different outcomes for founders.
A private equity firm generally takes control of the companies it invests in. Investors in a capital raise usually take a minority position and leave the founder in charge. For founders who plan to keep running their business, a raise is often the better fit, and it requires a company that is ready for investor review.
| Private equity | Capital raiseWhat SugarTime prepares you for | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership typically acquired | ||
| Ownership typically acquired | A majority stake | A minority stake |
| Management after the deal | ||
| Management after the deal | Often appointed by the firm | Stays with the founder |
| Decision to sell the company | ||
| Decision to sell the company | Usually made by the firm | Usually stays with the founder |
| What the process requires | ||
| What the process requires | A business the firm wants to acquire | Investor-ready materials and a clean corporate structure |
For general comparison only. Actual terms vary by transaction and depend on negotiation.
The materials investors expect before they commit.
Investors form an opinion quickly, and incomplete or disorganized materials can end a conversation early. SugarTime prepares all three core components of a raise.
The pitch deck
A clear presentation of the business, its market and its financial plan, written for an investor audience.
- Problem and solution
- Market
- Business model
- Financials
- Use of funds
- Funding request
The data room
An organized, secure set of the documents investors review during due diligence.
- Financial statements
- Cap table
- Formation documents
- Contracts
- Intellectual property
- Team
The company structure
The entity investors fund, formed or reorganized with clear ownership and proper records.
- Entity formation
- Operating agreement
- Stock issuance
- EIN
- Corporate minutes
- Registered agent
From initial review to investor-ready in approximately six weeks.
Day one
Application
Submit a brief overview of your company and your capital needs. It takes about two minutes.
Within one week
Initial consultation
We discuss the business, the amount you plan to raise and your timeline, and give you a candid view of fit.
Upon engagement
Onboarding
We review your existing materials and outline what needs to be developed or revised.
Approximately six weeks
Preparation
We refine the pitch deck, assemble the data room and establish or restructure the company where needed.
After preparation
Investor readiness
Your company enters investor conversations with the materials and structure investors expect.
Companies at every stage, from pre-revenue to established.
Many of our clients raise capital before their first sale. What matters most is a credible plan and a clear use of proceeds.
Company stage
- Pre-revenue
- Early revenue
- Established businesses
Industries served
- Construction materials
- Recycling
- Life sciences
- Automotive
Structure
- Existing companies
- New entities formed for investment
Wall Street experience, based in Miami.
SugarTime was founded by David Sugarman, who began his career on Wall Street in 1995. He went on to serve as a vice president at firms including Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank Securities.
After relocating to Florida in 2001, David built SugarTime in Miami. Today the firm prepares founders and their companies to raise capital, with the materials investors expect and a corporate structure that stands up to due diligence.
The full story of David's career is at davidsugarman.org.
Professional background
- OppenheimerVice President
- PaineWebber
- Smith BarneyVice President
- Morgan StanleyVice President
- Deutsche Bank SecuritiesVice President
- Merrill LynchVice President
Listed for background only. These firms are not affiliated with SugarTime and do not endorse its services.
Frequently asked questions.
Do you work with pre-revenue companies?
Yes. Many of our clients raise capital before their first sale. What matters most is a credible plan and a clear use of proceeds.
How long does it take?
Preparing the pitch deck, data room and company structure typically takes about six weeks. Once the materials are complete, a raise commonly takes six to eight months, and some take longer.
What does it cost?
Fees depend on the size of the raise and the scope of work. We review them during the initial consultation, and all fees are agreed in writing before any work begins.
Can you guarantee we will raise the money?
No. No one can responsibly guarantee that a raise will be funded, because investors make their own decisions. Our role is to make sure your company is prepared for the questions they will ask.
Do I need to set up a new company?
Not always. Some clients raise capital into their existing company, while others form a new entity to give investors a clean structure. We will help you determine which approach fits.
What happens after I apply?
We review your submission. If there appears to be a fit, we will schedule an initial consultation to discuss the company and the raise in detail.
Do you work with companies outside Miami?
Yes. The firm is based in Miami and works with founders in other states as well.
What should I have ready before we talk?
Your current pitch deck if you have one, basic financial statements, and a clear sense of how much you intend to raise and how the funds will be used. If anything is missing, we will identify it.
Planning a raise in the next twelve months?
The application takes about two minutes and creates no obligation.