Eelrahastatud

Eelrahastatud is an Estonian term describing funding that has been secured before a project begins or before its public release. The word is a compound formed from eel- meaning pre or beforehand, and rahastatud meaning financed or funded. In practice, eelrahastatud financing is arranged through agreements with investors, sponsors, licensees, or other financial partners prior to reaching broader public or consumer-level funding stages.

The concept is used across several fields, including film and television production, video game and software development, startups, and research projects. In these contexts, funding is committed in advance, enabling planners to cover early costs, set milestones, and initiate production without depending on later-stage fundraising or crowdfunding campaigns. This upfront support can come from private equity, venture capital, government grants with advance disbursement, corporate collaborations, or pre-order arrangements that guarantee revenue before full production.

Eelrahastatud funding is distinct from typical crowdfunding, where funds are raised from a broad audience during a campaign. It may involve contractual obligations, such as milestones, reporting, or licensing commitments, tied to the release and commercialization of the product or project. While it can reduce financial risk and accelerate development, it also concentrates reliance on a smaller number of financiers and imposes expectations for timely delivery and outcomes. The term is primarily used in Estonian-language contexts to describe pre-secured financing arrangements.