"Groupon is Essentially Holding a Portfolio of Loans Backed by the Receivables of Small Businesses."

“I strongly encourage every business that is about to go under to call Groupon. It makes total financial sense — as a Hail Mary play. If you’re lucky, the upfront cash will be enough to help you stay afloat. If not, well, you were already going out of business.”
 — The latest GroupOn takedown — one of dozens! — is intriguing.