Startups routinely overlook a non‑dilutive source of capital: tax credits. Guest author Harrison Garba argues the gap isn’t eligibility but the absence of a systematic process to spot, document and claim credits throughout the year. Without such a framework, founders waste potential savings that could stretch cash on product and hiring.

Most founders know the R&D tax credit, yet they rarely scan other decisions for incentives. Hiring new staff may trigger a hiring credit, expanded paid‑leave policies can qualify for a family‑medical credit, and facility upgrades often qualify for accessibility or energy credits. Missing election deadlines or documentation means those offsets vanish.

More mature firms embed credit reviews into quarterly operating cycles. Finance vets large contracts, HR embeds eligibility checks into onboarding, and engineering logs qualifying R&D activities as projects progress. The goal isn’t to turn every department into tax experts but to assign clear ownership and enlist advisers—often from firms like Burkland Associates—to ensure compliance.

Aggregating modest credits across hiring, benefits and infrastructure can meaningfully extend runway without raising fresh equity. Investors also view documented credit strategies as evidence of disciplined governance during diligence. Startups that embed a simple ownership model and partner with knowledgeable advisers can capture these offsets today, bolstering cash efficiency.