directEDUCATE logo — Directed Equity education program

Guided education for business owners exploring financing options

Learn about ROBS 401(k) funding, SBA financing, and other business funding considerations—so you can ask better questions, understand your responsibilities, and make informed decisions about what may fit your goals.

Start Learning Access our recorded education sessions or schedule a live one-on-one session with an expert. Ask directEDUCATE Get your questions answered by our directEDUCATE AI Assistant now.

Prefer to talk it through? Call the directEDUCATE Voice Guide at (303) 800-4934.

Your Starting Point for Business Funding Education

LEARN

Build knowledge
about your options for
financing a business.

ASK QUESTIONS

Get answers tailored
for your specific
situation.

EVALUATE

Understand
requirements, costs,
and fit.

DECIDE WHAT’S NEXT

Move forward with
the right path for you
and for your business.

If ROBS, SBA, or another option appears to fit your
goals, we’ll help you understand the next steps.

Choose How You’d Like to Learn

Multiple ways to explore, ask questions, and get the information you need—designed for where you are in your journey.

Self-Paced Education

Access and watch the recorded directEDUCATE session on your schedule and learn the fundamentals of ROBS, SBA, and other options.

Access Sessions ->
Ask directEDUCATE

Use our guided AI-powered assistant to explore common questions, get clarification, and find relevant resources for your situation.

Start Chatting ->
AI Voice Guidance

Talk through your questions and have a conversation with our directEDUCATE Voice Guide to explore small business financing options.

Call (303) 800-4934 →
One-on-One Education

Schedule a personal session with a Directed Equity professional to discuss your goals and next steps for your journey.

Schedule a Session →
Education Built Around What You’re Exploring

Whether you’re focused on one option or comparing multiple approaches, directEDUCATE provides the information you need to understand your options and make an informed decision.

ROBS Funding

Learn how eligible retirement assets may be used to fund a business, along with the structure and ongoing responsibilities.

SBA Financing

Understand the SBA lending process, borrower expectations, contribution requirements, and what to expect as you explore financing.

ROBS + SBA

See how our ROBS program directINVEST & SBA financing may work together as a part of a broader funding strategy.

Not Sure Yet?

Start with the fundamentals and let directEDUCATE help you understand the options and questions worth exploring.

What You’ll Learn

Clear, practical education to help you understand your options and make informed decisions.

Funding Options

Understand the different ways business owners may fund a startup, acquisition, or expansion.

How It Works

Learn how each funding approach works and the steps involved in moving forward.

Costs & Responsibilities

Understand potential costs, requirements, and ongoing responsibilities.

Combining Funding

Explore how ROBS, SBA financing, and other funding sources may work together.

What’s Next

Identify practical next steps based on what you learn and the path you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about the directINVEST process and ongoing support.

View All FAQs ->

ROBS, or Rollovers as Business Startup, is a way to use eligible pre-tax retirement funds to invest in a business you plan to own and operate. In our directINVEST ROBS program, there are 4 steps:

  1. C corporation is established,
  2. The corporation sponsors a qualified retirement plan,
  3. Eligible pre-tax retirement funds are rolled into that plan, and
  4. The plan purchases stock in the corporation. The stock purchase is what provides capital to the business.

Directed Equity also helps prospects look at the broader funding picture. In some cases, ROBS may be used alongside SBA financing or another lending option to help meet the total funding need for the business.

No. ROBS is not a loan. There is no repayment schedule, interest rate, or monthly debt payment. The retirement plan purchases stock in the C corporation, so the funds become an equity investment in the business. If the business fails, there is no loan to repay, but the retirement funds invested in the business may lose value.

Yes. ROBS is often used alongside SBA financing or other lending options. In many cases, the ROBS funds may help provide the equity injection or owner contribution needed for a larger business purchase, while the loan helps cover the remaining funding need.

Directed Equity looks at the full funding picture, including the business cost, available retirement funds, timing, and whether ROBS, SBA financing, another loan option, or a combination may make sense. A Directed Equity financing expert can walk through those options with you.

Before the call, it helps to know your business idea or franchise, estimated total funding need or purchase price, timeline, retirement account type, approximate account balance, and whether you are also considering SBA financing or another loan. Exact numbers are not required. Ranges are fine.

If you already have a franchise consultant, lender, CPA, attorney, financial advisor, spouse, or business partner involved, you are welcome to invite them to the session.

Ready to Start Learning?

Explore ROBS, SBA, and other funding options on your schedule, get your questions answered, and decide what next step makes sense for your business.

Access Recorded Education Session
Prefer to talk directly to an expert?
Schedule A Call