Association News IVCA Feature: New Member Profile for CSC Leasing Company

March 19, 2025

Recently added to the IVCA membership is CSC Leasing Company represented by Jeff S. Pfeffer.

IVCA: What is a brief history and background of CSC Leasing?

CSC, a leading specialty finance company focused on equipment and technology leasing, has been empowering businesses for nearly four decades. What began as a family-owned operation has quickly evolved into a market leader, partnering with companies of various sizes, stages and industries worldwide to efficiently manage capital, maintain equity and scale businesses.

Today, CSC has over $1 billion in assets under management financing 100% of transactions with its own private capital. As an independent lessor, CSC operates with the latitude and agility required to support innovators in an ever-changing marketplace.

IVCA: Why did the firm decide to join the Illinois Venture Capital Association?

CSC is dedicated to building long-term relationships that support innovation. Our mission is aligned with IVCA’s commitment to the development and growth of Illinois’ private equity and venture capital community. I joined CSC’s executive team to strengthen the firm’s presence in the Midwest. Prior to joining CSC, I played a pivotal role at CapX Partners, a long-standing member of IVCA, and have experienced first-hand the impact of the organization and its role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

As a veteran in the business and having just started with CSC, how has the finance/leasing sector you represent evolved in the last ten years?

Over the past decade, the shift in capital availability and the expansion of non-bank lending has transformed the financial landscape.

Historically, more than $1 trillion in equipment finance was primarily handled by national banks and large institutional finance companies, with only a small portion served by fragmented independents and un-funded brokers.

Since 2010, private credit markets have considerably expanded, with equipment finance and leasing experiencing considerable investor tailwinds.

Recently, major asset managers are acquiring or lifting out mature equipment leasing professionals to capture market share vacated by banks—particularly following disruptions like the Silicon Valley Bank deposit run.

Today, U.S. businesses lease approximately 80% of acquired equipment with over $1 trillion in economic value. This has resulted in independent and privately funded players emerging as dominant forces in the equipment finance sector.

Once you partner with a specific industry client, how does your expertise in scaling the business help to achieve goals like managing capital and maintaining equity?

CSC enables companies at every stage—early, middle-market, and enterprise—access non-dilutive equipment financing and navigate CapEx barriers.

With equipment-specific liens, CSC provides simple, accretive capital that integrates seamlessly into existing financing structures and doesn’t require warrants, covenants or onerous structures.

Leasing, a 100% advance rate credit product, eliminates the need for down payments typically required in equipment loans, which typically range between 20%-25%. By opting for leasing, businesses can preserve liquidity and invest in other parts of their business.

Leasing provides predictable, fixed payments – enhancing budgeting and planning while serving as a hedge in inflationary environments.

CSC also provides upfront transparency about end-of-lease options, enabling businesses to manage their all in costs.

IVCA: How do you approach lease line options with the businesses you’re negotiating with, and what factors create these options?

CSC offers lease lines of credit that provide businesses with precise capital drawdowns for equipment acquisitions. Unlike some capital providers that require the full capital upfront, CSC’s structure ensures companies deploy funds only as needed—eliminating the inefficiencies of idle capital.

Approval for CSC’s lease lines is based on key financial indicators, including cash liquidity, capital reserves from investors (for follow-on needs), competent financial reporting, and a clear path to profitability.

IVCA: What are some of the funding and leasing points that surprises your clients in the sense that they don’t think about until CSC and what you do comes along?

Many companies approach equipment acquisition assuming they need to purchase outright or rely on traditional financing. But when they start working with CSC, they often have unexpected “aha” moments—realizing there are smarter, more strategic ways to fund their growth.

One common surprise is the flexibility leasing provides. Instead of tying up capital in depreciating assets, our clients can preserve cash for core business initiatives while aligning costs with revenue generation.

Many also don’t anticipate how much faster and more streamlined our process is compared to conventional financing, allowing them to deploy critical equipment without delays.

Another overlooked factor is technology obsolescence. Companies are often focused on their immediate equipment needs, not realizing that leasing allows them to upgrade more easily and avoid being stuck with outdated technology. Additionally, the off-balance-sheet benefits of leasing can improve financial metrics and preserve debt capacity—something many clients hadn’t initially considered.

Finally, CSC’s expertise in managing residual values often results in lower overall costs than purchasing outright. Many clients are surprised to learn they don’t have to bear the full burden of depreciation, making leasing a cost-effective strategy for scaling their business. CSC partners with companies at all stages, including those that are pre-revenue, and we are committed to building long-term relationships that support businesses across market cycles. Our goal is to provide not just financing, but a flexible, strategic approach that helps businesses grow with agility and confidence.

IVCA: What does CSC Leasing hope to achieve in their interaction with the VC/PE community within the IVCA?

CSC is dedicated to being the leading equipment lessor for venture capital and private equity-backed businesses in the Midwest. IVCA members represent the type of investors CSC seeks to partner with, making them ideal partners in delivering tailored leasing solutions that enable portfolio companies to scale.

Leveraging its robust client network, CSC actively fosters business connections—most recently facilitating a merger between two clients with the support of their CSC relationship manager.

Beyond financing, CSC is committed to IVCA’s volunteer governance and community engagement initiatives. The team lives by five foundational values – innovation, integrity, ambition, humility and optimism. This is anchored by a guiding principle, a Golden Rule: treat others as we wish to be treated.