Startup Company Lawyer

JANUARY 9, 2011

Convertible debt with a price cap seems to be the preferred structure for early-stage financings. Over the last 12 months, I’ve noticed a trend where early-stage startup companies raise seed financings of between $250K and $1M using a convertible note with a price cap. Is a priced Series A financing a valid alternative?

Liquidation Preference 57

Liquidation Preference Finance Preferred Stock Common Stock 57

Feld Thoughts

SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

In the case of an early-stage startup that hasn’t issued preferred stock yet, the debt converts into stock of the acquiring company (if it’s a stock deal) at a valuation subject to a cap. Usually we see 2-3x, but in later stage companies, this multiple can be even higher. Typical language follows.

Conversion 96

Conversion Sales Later Stage Preferred Stock 96

K9 Ventures

MAY 14, 2011

<$50K in aggregate. Common Stock. Convertible Note or Preferred Stock. Convertible Note or Preferred Stock. Preferred Stock. Preferred Stock. Preferred Stock / Warrants. Lots, 20-100. 1-2 per partner. Individual / Partnership. Individual. Partnership. Individual.

Preferred Stock 125

Preferred Stock Seed Stage Incubator Early Stage 125

Professor VC

JANUARY 17, 2008

While currently free to angel groups, their business model revolves around aggregating the angel investment data. If my math is correct, this is approximately a 31% IRR, which has to beat individual angel investments on aggregate and venture capital returns over the period of the study (1990-2007). return on investment after 3.5

Pre-Money Valuation 28

Pre-Money Valuation Angel Investor Angel Groups Valuation 28

Scott Edward Walker

JUNE 9, 2019

Over the past few weeks, two of my clients have received financing term sheets in which the investors requested super pro rata rights. Simply put, pro rata rights permit the investor to maintain its percentage ownership in subsequent financing rounds. Introduction. Pro Rata Rights.

Preferred Stock 56

Preferred Stock Term Sheet Dilution Stock 56

ithacaVC

DECEMBER 14, 2011

Specifically, “too much” liquidation preference (I will use “LP” for liquidation preference). As most of you probably know, LP is one of the fundamental economic attributes of preferred stock that preferred shareholders enjoy. Is the $13mm of aggregate LP a problem? It might be.

Liquidation Preference 49

Liquidation Preference LP Preferred Stock Liquidity Event 49

ithacaVC

FEBRUARY 23, 2011

The MCOP can serve a critical role as founders and other management team members are diluted down by rounds of financing or if their equity is not in the money. As the investors’ aggregate liquidation preference (ALP) increases typically the need for a MCOP also increases. A few key points to consider: 1.

Liquidation Preference 55

Liquidation Preference Management Preferred Stock Dividend 55