Home/Services/Private Credit
Private Credit Solutions

Direct Lending for the Middle Market

TULA Capital provides access to $1.5 trillion private credit market, connecting established middle-market companies with institutional direct lenders offering $15M-$150M in flexible, relationship-oriented capital for growth, acquisitions, and refinancings.

$3.2B+
Private Credit Placed
120+
Direct Lenders
35-50
Days to Close
94%
Client Success Rate

Why TULA for Private Credit?

Private credit has transformed middle-market financing—but navigating 120+ specialized funds requires deep market knowledge. TULA's platform, relationships, and expertise ensure you access optimal capital on competitive terms.

Comprehensive Market Access

Our proprietary database tracks 120+ private credit funds—BDCs, CLO managers, direct lenders, and specialty finance companies. We know which funds are deploying capital, their pricing parameters, industry preferences, and structural flexibility in real-time.

  • 120+ institutional lenders tracked
  • Real-time appetite and pricing data
  • Sector and size specialization mapping

Direct Fund Relationships

We've placed $3.2B+ with every major private credit platform. Fund managers prioritize TULA opportunities because we deliver quality, vetted deals with complete documentation. This translates to faster responses and better terms for our clients.

  • Direct access to investment committees
  • Expedited underwriting processes
  • Priority deal flow status

Market Intelligence & Negotiation

Private credit pricing varies 150-200bps for similar credits based on market timing and fund dynamics. Our real-time intelligence and competitive process ensure you capture favorable market windows and optimal terms.

  • Live pricing benchmarks by sector
  • Competitive tension optimization
  • Covenant and structure expertise

Our Process

Private credit transactions demand sophisticated positioning and relationship management. Our process maximizes competitive dynamics while maintaining confidentiality.

1

Strategic Assessment (48-72 hours)

We analyze your business model, growth trajectory, and capital needs to determine optimal structure and sizing. Our platform identifies 8-12 best-fit lenders based on industry focus, check size, and structural preferences.

Output: Financing strategy, targeted lender shortlist, preliminary term expectations

2

Investment Materials (5-7 days)

We create institutional-grade materials: comprehensive CIM, detailed financial model, industry analysis, and management presentation. Everything fund investment committees need for efficient underwriting.

Output: Complete deal package, Q&A preparation, data room structure

3

Targeted Fund Process (3-4 weeks)

We simultaneously engage 6-8 funds through direct relationships, managing all communications and coordinating management meetings. Our reputation accelerates timelines—most funds provide IOIs within 10-14 days.

Output: 3-5 competing term sheets with detailed comparison analysis

4

Term Negotiation (1-2 weeks)

We leverage competition to optimize pricing, covenant flexibility, prepayment terms, and partnership dynamics. Our market intelligence ensures you capture current market pricing while securing relationship alignment.

Output: Executed term sheet with market-leading economics and optimal partner fit

5

Due Diligence & Documentation (3-4 weeks)

We manage the diligence process, coordinate with advisors, and negotiate definitive documentation. Our experience identifying and resolving issues early prevents typical closing delays.

Output: Completed diligence, negotiated credit agreement, closing conditions satisfied

6

Closing & Ongoing Partnership

We coordinate closing mechanics and remain engaged for amendments, refinancings, and additional capital needs. Many clients return for subsequent financings as their businesses evolve.

Output: Funded facility, long-term advisory relationship, future capital access

What We Finance

TULA arranges private credit for established middle-market companies across diverse use cases and industries.

Facility Size & Structure

$15M - $50M
Lower middle market, direct lenders and BDCs
$50M - $100M
Core middle market, institutional direct lenders
$100M+
Upper middle market, syndicated or club deals

Common Use Cases

Platform acquisitions and add-ons
Growth capital and expansion
Recapitalizations and refinancings
Ownership transitions and buyouts
Dividend recaps and liquidity events

Target Profile

Revenue
$10M - $500M+
EBITDA
$3M - $75M+
Typical Pricing
L/SOFR + 500-800bps

Recent Transactions

Representative private credit transactions closed by TULA Capital.

$65M
Healthcare Services Growth Capital

Unitranche facility supporting geographic expansion and add-on acquisitions. Structured with accordion feature and minimal financial covenants. Priced at L+575bps.

Closed in 42 days
$120M
Manufacturing Platform Acquisition

Senior/stretch senior structure for PE-backed buyout. Negotiated competitive L+625bps pricing with flexible prepayment terms and covenant-lite structure.

Closed in 48 days
$38M
Business Services Refinancing

Replaced restrictive bank facility with flexible direct lending solution. Improved pricing by 125bps, extended maturity to 5 years, removed financial maintenance covenants.

Closed in 35 days

Ready to Access Private Credit Markets?

Our private credit team is ready to evaluate your financing needs. We'll provide preliminary structure recommendations and competitive lender options within 48 hours.

Common Questions

How does private credit differ from bank debt?

Private credit offers more flexibility—higher leverage, covenant-lite structures, and relationship-oriented terms. While pricing is 200-300bps higher than banks (L+500-800bps vs. L+200-400bps), the structural flexibility and certainty of close often make private credit more valuable for growth companies and acquisitions.

Who are private credit lenders?

Private credit lenders include Business Development Companies (BDCs), direct lending funds, credit arms of private equity firms, family offices, and insurance companies. These institutional investors deploy billions in non-bank debt, filling the gap between traditional banks and equity.

What's covenant-lite and why does it matter?

Covenant-lite structures eliminate or minimize financial maintenance covenants (leverage, coverage ratios) that traditional lenders require. This provides operational flexibility and reduces default risk from covenant violations. Most private credit deals today are covenant-lite, a dramatic shift from bank lending standards.

How does TULA get compensated?

Lenders pay TULA success fees upon closing—you never write us a check. Our compensation is percentage-based on facility size, perfectly aligning our incentives. We only succeed when you close optimal financing on favorable terms with the right capital partner.

Private Credit Technical Deep Dive

Detailed answers on fund structures, economics, and regulatory frameworks.

What are typical private credit fund structures?

Most private credit is provided through closed-end funds with 6-8 year investment periods plus 2-4 year liquidation periods. Funds typically target 10-14% net returns through a combination of cash interest (7-9% cash pay, 2-3% PIK) and success fees (warrants, equity strips, or co-investment rights). Fund documentation includes limited partnership agreements, side letters for key investors, subscription facilities for capital deployment, and management agreements.

How do direct lending economics compare to syndicated markets?

Direct lending (bilateral or club deals with 2-3 lenders) typically prices at 600-750 basis points over SOFR vs. 400-550 for syndicated institutional loans. This premium reflects illiquidity (no secondary market), concentration risk (larger hold sizes), and structural flexibility (bespoke covenants, amortization schedules). However, borrowers benefit from speed, certainty, flexibility on structure, and relationship-based underwriting that considers factors beyond strict financial metrics. Direct lending economics work for middle-market companies (€10M-€100M EBITDA) where syndication isn't efficient.

What regulatory considerations apply to private credit funds?

European private credit funds fall under AIFMD (Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive), requiring authorization, capital requirements, and disclosure obligations. US funds must register as investment advisers unless exempt. Key considerations include leverage limits (varies by fund structure), investor suitability requirements (typically institutional or high-net-worth only), and ongoing reporting obligations. Loan origination may trigger licensing requirements in certain jurisdictions.

Can private credit funds participate in traditional syndicated deals?

Yes, private credit funds increasingly participate in syndicated facilities—either as anchor lenders providing large commitments or as investors in institutional tranches. This "crossover" lending blurs traditional distinctions between syndicated and direct markets. Considerations include voting rights (pro rata vs. required lender thresholds), transfer restrictions (maintaining institutional investor requirements), pricing mechanics (benchmark rates plus credit spread), and intercreditor arrangements when funds hold both senior and junior positions.

Related Services