Early-Stage Funding for Builders: How Founders, Athletes, and Creators Are Launching Big Without VC

The Hidden Challenge Behind Big Ideas

In today’s economy, talent is everywhere, but early money isn’t. From athletes fresh off a college roster to creators building their first 100K followers and founders testing prototypes, the hunger to build something meaningful is stronger than ever. Yet access to early-stage funding remains limited and opaque.

Banks ask for collateral. Venture capital demands traction. Sponsorships favor celebrity. But what if you're a high-potential individual with a plan, not a platform?

That’s where Chisos.io comes in.

The Access Gap: Why Early Builders Are Left Behind

Many aspiring entrepreneurs assume the hardest part of launching is the work itself. But for many, the real barrier is financial.

Traditional capital systems reward proof, not potential. Without a long credit history, a rich network, or a successful exit, getting early-stage capital can feel out of reach.

• Athletes often want to invest in their own fitness brands, products, or training apps, but lack the runway.
  
  
• Creators want to build companies around their IP, not sell it.
  
  
• Founders need cash to test ideas, hire talent, or build an MVP but don’t yet qualify for VC or bank support.
  

The result: the next generation of builders gets delayed, distracted, or derailed.

Only about 1% of startups ever receive VC funding, leaving the rest of the market undercapitalized and overlooked.¹

What Traditional Capital Gets Wrong

VC firms, banks, and sponsors are not broken. But they weren’t built for today’s builder. Their models are designed for post-proof investments, those with revenue, reach, or press.

That creates a bottleneck at the most fragile stage of growth. It also perpetuates bias: capital flows to the familiar, not the ambitious.

As one founder put it, “You can’t bootstrap a prototype with passion alone.”

Meet the New Builder Class

We’re living in an era of multi-hyphenate ambition. People aren’t just founders, athletes, or creators. They’re often a combination of all three.

Think of:

• A semi-pro soccer player launching a performance recovery brand.
  
  
• A TikTok educator scaling a SaaS platform for their community.
  
  
• A technical founder in a mid-sized city building climate tools for local businesses.
  

They are ambitious, skilled, and serious, but not yet capitalized. These are the people Chisos was built to support.

How Chisos Fills the Gap

Chisos offers a funding model built for early-stage builders. We combine Future Earnings Agreements with equity or royalty rights, providing up to $100K in flexible, non-dilutive capital.

Here’s how it works:

• Apply with your vision, plan, and background, not just your metrics.
  
  
• Get funding aligned to your income or business performance.
  
  
• Retain control while sharing upside only when you succeed.

A Chisos investment is a structured investment in your potential. 

Real Impact: Fueling the Grind. Backing the Dream.

At Chisos, we don’t just fund ideas. We back the people building them, on the field, behind the brand, or at the helm of a startup.

Athlete Story: Capital for Athletes

"As I pursue my MLB career ambitions (drafted and playing in the minor leagues), I know the importance of off-season training and getting access to top-tier training facilities. I considered using my credit cards or a typical loan to pay for training and travel when my agent suggested I contact Chisos Capital. We discussed the financing and landed on a flexible solution that is a better fit for me. Now, I can pursue my career the way I intend to."
- JP Woodward, Baseball Player

Entrepreneur Story: Early Funding, Real Momentum

"Studies consistently show that female entrepreneurs face huge challenges in securing startup capital. I am so lucky to have found Chisos Capital to provide early funding for my CPG business. This team is more than just a capital partner, having offered intros and ideas to propel me and my company forward in this crazy entrepreneurial journey!"
- Loren Lewin, Founder, Companion Candles

Athlete Story: Fuel for the Journey

"Chisos is a great potential partner for players looking for the early fuel required to take the journey. I strongly encourage players to think in terms of and plan for a marathon if your aim is to make professional golf a career."
- Michael R., International Golfer

Founder Story: Creators + Fintech = Opportunity

"I’m the co-founder and CEO of Bump, an LA-based company helping creators build wealth through real-time market valuations and automated credit underwriting. We're happy to have Chisos Capital as one of our investors. They helped us close our last round alongside several institutional VCs. As a company at the intersection of the Creator economy and fintech, their expertise with creators, athletes, and entertainers made them a perfect fit."
- James Jones, Co-founder & CEO, Bump

Watch the Full Testimonial

These aren’t unicorns. They’re real people. The difference was capital: early, flexible, and aligned.

Why Work with Chisos: Funding Built for Builders, Not Just Startups

Chisos isn’t a traditional investor. We’re the first check for individuals who haven’t “made it” yet but are on their way.

What we offer:

• Reduced dilution up front
  
  
• Aligned returns, not fixed monthly payments
  
  
• A partner, not just a platform
  

We bridge the gap between what you're building and how you fund it. We back the overlooked majority who don't fit traditional molds but have big visions.

Fuel Your Next Chapter

If you have the vision and the plan but not the capital, don’t wait for someone to validate you.

Apply for early-stage funding with Chisos today and unlock the belief, partnership, and resources you need to move forward.

 Apply Now at Chisos.io

References

1. National Venture Capital Association. “VC Investment Statistics.” 2024.
   

Chisos.io. “How It Works: ISAs + Equity & Royalty Rights Explained.” Accessed July 2025.