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Democratizing access to startup capital.

Chisos invests in a way that traditional VC and banks don't. Our Convertible Income Share Agreement de-risks early stage investments, enabling us to fund startups that may be too early for other investors.

Meet the CISA

Designed by startup founders and investors. The CISA minimizes risk, enabling investment when startups need it most. 

At Chisos, we can invest pre-traction. Pre-seed. With confidence. How? With our investment approach, the Convertible Income Share Agreement, or CISA.

The CISA blends an Income Share Agreement (ISA) with a Standard Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE). These two elements interact, adjusting dynamically to fit a startup founder's lifestyle and business growth.

With this flexible financing, founders get access to the entrepreneur capital needed to grow, without sacrificing excessive ownership or racking up credit card debt.

Why the chisos cisa?

Like the "Friends & Family" round, without the friends and family.

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Protect equity ownership
The CISA provides capital and support, without forcing entrepreneurs to give up substantial equity. Plus, with each payment, founders claw back equity. Even better? The CISA doesn't get in the way of any future fundraising.
No compounding interest
Unlike a bank loan or other debt-based financing, the CISA doesn't have interest. And, flexible terms allow founders to prioritize growing a startup, unlike revenue-based financing.
Tech-enabled, not tech-exclusive
We fund real, capital-efficient startups and small businesses on a path to long-term growth. It’s not how most investors do it, but we’re different for a reason.
More than just capital
Chisos provides portfolio support like VC and accelerators, without the catch. Connect to founders, investors and mentors. Plus, get purpose-built resources, strategic intros, and hands-on guidance. After all, success is better shared.
Peace of mind
The CISA adapts to a founder's business and personal situation, with features like salary floors, deferment options, and $0 Payback Periods. Investors appreciate the blend of downside protection, upside exposure, and cash flow.
Transparent terms & quick process
We're proud of our transparent terms and conditions. With our straightforward and tech-supported process, founders can spend less time on pitching and paperwork, and more time getting to business. When you win, we all win.
how the CISA works

A hybrid approach that adjusts to a founder's growth path.

Not revenue-based,
not a bank loan

Our hybrid approach provides flexible funding that dynamically adjusts to the growth path, without taking cash from the startup.
$40K investment

Salary floor & added flexibility

The CISA includes a salary floor, so founders only make payments when they can afford it. No salary right now? No worries - payments paused.

Protect equity ownership

Chisos starts with a very small percentage of equity, most of which founders then claw back over time.
Truly founder-friendly

A better option, for more founders.

83% of entrepreneurs are failed by existing funding options. With our unique approach to investing, Chisos steps into this gap.

The CISA provides access to capital, without founders needing to sacrifice excessive ownership or ask friends for money. And with our online application, you don't need a warm intro to be considered.

Image of an Asian business man looking boldly at the camera.
The Chisos portfolio includes more than 40% impact companies
Democratizing opportunity

Investments that make an impact.

By inventing a smarter financing method, Chisos is achieving first-of-its-kind social impact. Our portfolio includes more than 70% underrepresented founders, and more than 50% impact businesses. Many are working toward UN Sustainable Development Goals. One is a B-Corp. And Chisos is Diversity in VC certified, reflecting our commitment to DE&I.

flexible financing

Our Investment Process

1

Apply

Tell us more about you and your company or idea via our easy online application. It's available to anyone - no warm intros required.
2

Pitch

After your initial application is accepted, we’ll book a meeting call to talk about your opportunity, and answer any questions you may have.
3

Diligence

Get an answer in weeks, not months. Our investment team evaluates a full range of factors to decide. Our algorithmic Chisos Score supplements the team's decision.
4

Investment Decision

The investment committee meets regularly and deploys capital quickly. That means founders don’t linger in limbo.
4

Repay, your way

With a CISA, founders repay Chisos with a percentage of salary, but only when the salary is above $40k. No salary right now? No worries - payments  deferred.
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open sourced terms

See the CISA open source term sheet

Interested in the details of how the Convertible Income Share Agreement works? Check out our open-sourced term sheet.

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Person holding a phone showing the CISA open source term sheet on GitHub.