[twelve40]

do a lot of VC-backed startups rely on credit?

[mbesto]

Uhhh yes. Most commercially viable businesses at scale rely in credit. If you're making serious money (call it $10M+ in revenue), you very likely have some credit facility with your bank. Whether you use that credit or not, is another thing.

[icelancer]

Convertible debt instruments have become significantly more popular over the last few years.