How a Startup Leveraged Equipment Leasing to Accelerate Growth

Startups often struggle with capital constraints, especially when they need expensive tools to compete and scale. This case study reveals how one innovative startup used equipment leasing to accelerate growth, streamline operations, and achieve profitability faster—without giving up equity or taking on risky debt.

✅ Featured Snippet Answer:

How can startups benefit from equipment leasing?
Startups use equipment leasing to access essential tools without large upfront costs, preserving cash flow and accelerating early-stage growth.

Meet the Startup: CleanBot Tech

Industry: Eco-friendly industrial cleaning solutions
Location: Denver, CO
Founded: 2022
Employees: 4 at launch
Challenge: Needed high-tech industrial cleaning robots to fulfill contracts

CleanBot Tech had signed two pilot deals with commercial facilities but lacked the robotic equipment to perform the services. Purchasing the hardware would have cost over $180,000 upfront, which was well beyond their Series A seed round.

The Problem: Big Opportunity, Small Budget

The team needed to:

• Deploy robotic scrubbers and vacuums

• Integrate IoT and telematics into service delivery

• Launch operations within 45 days to meet contractual deadlines

But their cash burn rate was already high, and taking out a traditional loan would create pressure they couldn’t afford.

The Solution: Equipment Leasing

CleanBot Tech partnered with a tech-forward leasing company that understood the startup’s growth model. They secured a 36-month lease agreement for:

• 5 industrial robotic scrubbers

• IoT-enabled monitoring stations

• Charging docks and mobility platforms

Monthly lease payments: $4,300
Upfront costs: $0
Buyout option: $1 after 3 years

Benefits of the Lease Agreement:

✅ Preserved runway and working capital
✅ Deployed operations within 30 days
✅ No equity dilution or venture debt
✅ Built business credit from day one
✅ Achieved breakeven in Month 7

Related: Using Equipment Financing to Improve Your Business Credit

The Results: Traction, Profitability, and Expansion

Within 12 months:

• Signed 7 recurring B2B contracts

• Increased MRR by 280%

• Scaled from 4 to 18 employees

• Opened a second market in Salt Lake City

• Raised a follow-on round without giving up additional equity

Quote from the Founder

“Leasing gave us what we needed to deliver results. We didn’t give up equity, and we hit scale way faster than expected.”
— Evan Schultz, Co-Founder & CEO, CleanBot Tech

Summary: Startup Growth Through Smart Leasing

1. Accessed $180K+ in robotics without upfront spend

2. Hit breakeven within 7 months

3. Landed major recurring contracts

4. Scaled operations across two markets

5. Preserved cash and equity during critical growth phase

Final Thoughts: Launch Faster, Scale Smarter

For startups, time and cash are everything. Equipment leasing offers a powerful way to execute your business model quickly—without compromising ownership, vision, or capital flexibility.

Take Action: Don’t Let Capital Limit Your Startup’s Potential

Need tools to launch or scale your product or service?
Explore startup-friendly equipment leasing solutions that free up cash flow and help you grow faster, leaner, and smarter.