who we partner with
Directed Equity partners with professionals who guide individuals toward franchise or business ownership. We provide the financing expertise needed to move qualified candidates forward with confidence. Our model is built around connections — pairing prepared buyers with proven opportunities and supporting successful, long-term outcomes for everyone involved.
Our Referral Partners Include
Certified Public Accountants
(CPAs)
Franchise
Brokers
& Consultants
Financial
Advisors &
Attorneys
Bank
Development
Officers (BDOs)
Franchise Development
Teams & Officers
Unlocking Borrower Equity for Over 20 Years
Funding gaps are one of the most common reasons deals fall through — and one of the most solvable. No matter your role — lender, franchise developer, business broker, or entrepreneur — the gap is bridgeable. Directed Equity exists to fill the space between where you are and where you need to be. We work with partners across many areas to connect their clients to small business financing tailored to their needs.
Directed Equity specializes in Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS) funding. ROBS is a proven, IRS-compliant method that lets individuals invest their retirement savings directly into a business. Specifically, eligible accounts include existing 401(k)s, IRAs, and other qualified retirement savings — with no taxes or early withdrawal penalties. From there, we manage every aspect of the process, ensuring your clients are funded, compliant, and ready to move forward.
We regularly help our partners provide new financing options across a wide range of business situations, unlocking hidden equity for their clients. These include franchise purchases, start-ups, acquisitions, equipment financing, working capital, refinancing, and remodels. Because we work across so many business types and transitions, the Directed Equity team maintains constant contact with a broad referral network. Become a part of it today and see how we can help you close more deals.
Two Signature Programs, One Streamlined Path
Directed Equity’s signature programs — directEDUCATE™ and directINVEST™ — are purpose-built to accelerate results. Together, they deliver the fastest path to capitalization for your clients and quicker closures for you. Our ROBS funding program, directINVEST, works for entrepreneurs who didn’t know they could access their retirement funds for business investment. We introduce our partners to the exciting possibilities that come with leveraging hard-earned retirement dollars toward business ownership and long-term wealth accumulation.
When you partner with Directed Equity, we take on the heavy lifting. That means handling everything — from pre-qualifying retirement funds and business setup to paperwork, transactions, tax planning, and ongoing support. Our experienced 401(k) rollover team works directly alongside you. They also guide your clients and any designated accountants or attorneys through the ROBS process via the directEDUCATE program. As a result, every procedure is handled correctly from start to finish.
How Our directINVEST™ (ROBS) Program Supports You
Bank Development
Officers
Increase your loan close rate by connecting clients to a compliant liquidity solution that works alongside your existing lending process.
Franchise &
Business Brokers
Keep qualified candidates in the pipeline by giving them access to a funding path that doesn’t require traditional borrowing strength.
Franchisors
& FDOs
Leverage our strategic funding solutions to reduce drop-off in your development funnel. Financing barriers shouldn’t cost you or your team a sale.
Entrepreneurs
& Buyers
Reinvest your own retirement savings into your business opportunity — without taxes, penalties, debt, or giving up equity.
Glimpse into a Typical directINVEST Transaction
You Refer a Client to Us
You refer a client to the Directed Equity team who lacks sufficient liquidity to qualify for a traditional small business bank loan.
We Pre-Qualify Them
Through directEDUCATE, our team assesses your client’s eligibility to use the Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS) program.
Client Engages Our Services
Your client leverages an existing 401(k) or other qualified retirement funds to invest into their business through our directINVEST program.
We Do the Heavy Lifting
We establish the C corporation, manage the rollover & investment, and facilitate all documentation throughout the process.
You Close the Deal & Earn the Credit
You close the deal confidently, knowing your client had access to a compliant funding solution & expert support at every step.
Ready to Partner with Us?
Learn how Directed Equity helps you close more deals.