A Trusted Partner in Business Funding & Ownership
About Directed Equity
Directed Equity was founded in 2004 by Mark Challis, a nationally recognized authority in ROBS and tax-advantaged business funding. From the beginning, our mission has been simple: we help entrepreneurs achieve the dream of small business ownership through smarter, more strategic funding solutions.
Headquartered in Parker, Colorado, our team has diverse experience across franchising, finance, and tax planning. Together, we combine hands-on industry perspective with disciplined financial structuring and deep expertise in self-directed 401(k) funding. We leverage our diverse professional networks to offer a broad range of complementary business financing strategies.
Each year, we support hundreds of clients nationwide including entrepreneurs, franchisees, and business partners alike. We deliver structured, compliant, and tax-advantaged funding solutions designed to align with immediate business needs and long-term financial goals. Over the years, we have helped elevate the standard for Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS) funding while contributing to the growth and sustainability of small businesses nationwide.
Above all, Directed Equity is built on a commitment to guidance, integrity, and long-term partnership. We equip our clients with the knowledge, structure, and support needed to confidently fund and grow their businesses. As a result, they take ownership of their future, build lasting value, and create the lifestyle and retirement they envision.
Walk beside our clients, providing unparalleled guidance and support, in their journey to becoming confident business owners by believing in what we do and doing it right.
Who We Serve
Entrepreneurs
Strategically access the capital needed to confidently fund and launch your new business.
Franchisees
Secure structured funding aligned with franchise requirements and timelines.
Our Partners
Deliver more value with a financing partner focused on efficiently moving deals forward to close.
Franchisors
Strengthen your pipeline with financing support that keeps candidates moving forward.
Business Owners
Leverage your existing assets to expand, scale, or strengthen your business with confidence.
Our Beginnings
The Directed Equity company was founded in 2004 by Mark Challis with a clear vision: bring greater structure, credibility, and accessibility to Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS) funding as a pathway to business ownership.
At the time, Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS) lacked clear regulatory guidance. In response, Directed Equity played a formative role in establishing compliance frameworks and best practices in the industry. Specifically, this included direct collaboration with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop a broader recognition of the ROBS program within business financing.
What began as an effort to help entrepreneurs access their own capital has grown into a nationally recognized firm. Today, we support clients across a wide range of industries and ownership models. Despite the growth of Directed Equity, our foundation remains rooted in disciplined structuring, regulatory alignment, and a commitment to helping clients confidently pursue business ownership.