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.
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.
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 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.
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
✅ 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
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
“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
Accessed $180K+ in robotics without upfront spend
Hit breakeven within 7 months
Landed major recurring contracts
Scaled operations across two markets
Preserved cash and equity during critical growth phase
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.
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.