Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 3, 2013

We talked about how business school historically hasn’t positioned entrepreneurs well for success. I wrote about that before in a post about “ whether MBAs are necessary for entrepreneurs. His class reading lists could be a primer for any entrepreneur, not just MBAs. Neither does Clayton.

Bankruptcy 403

Bankruptcy Offshore Liquidation Preference Balance Sheet 403

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 28, 2013

For starters let me use “CEO” as a proxy to include her “inner circle” which might mean co-founders or might just mean senior execs of the business. The Mind of the Founder. The mind of a founder is wired differently than most people. The startup CEO was not the original founder.

Startup 417

Startup Dilution San Diego Stock Options 417

Scott Edward Walker

APRIL 9, 2012

As a result, the pendulum has swung dramatically in the founders’ favor, and the issuance of convertible notes for seed financing has never been more prolific. ii) why are convertible notes issued instead of shares of common or preferred stock? Indeed, as a corporate lawyer for 18+ years, I have seen this development first-hand. (ii)

Preferred Stock 87

Preferred Stock Finance Common Stock Liquidation Preference 87

Scott Edward Walker

SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

It is important for founders to understand that VC term sheets are usually deemed to be “non-binding” (other than perhaps a few provisions, such as the “no-shop” provision and legal fees and expenses). What Are the Key Issues for Founders? The Investors’ Right to Walk VC Term Sheets Are Non-Binding. VC Term Sheets Are Conditional.

Term Sheet 76

Term Sheet Due Diligence Liquidation Preference Redemption 76

thestartuplawyer.com

FEBRUARY 24, 2010

He obviously never launched a startup and got shafted by a co-founder. He obviously never launched a startup and got shafted by a co-founder. Entrepreneurs often believe their startup company faces legal threats from only external sources. You can start by examining every aspect of the co-founder relationship.

Cofounder 40

Cofounder Founder Preferred Stock Startup 40

Feld Thoughts

JULY 14, 2015

The new money comes in at a pre-money valuation of $100, but includes a complete refresh of founder equity to 40% of the company. So the new investment gets 60%, the founders get 39.9%, and the $1m of seed money gets 0.1%. and the investors, who put up $1m in a convertible note, get 0.1%. Sure – it happens.

Recapitalization 70

Recapitalization Pre-Money Valuation Post-Money Valuation Angel Investor 70

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 14, 2016

I’d like to explain as best I can my opinion on what is going on because most of what I hear from entrepreneurs is not only wrong but is reminiscent of what I heard in 1997-2000. ” “This will be great for VCs and bad for entrepreneurs.” What is the True Sentiment of VCs? ” “Sure, prices are dropping.

Valuation 150

Valuation Down Round Startup Later Stage 150

David Teten

AUGUST 21, 2019

Most founders who are raising capital look first to traditional equity VCs. Revenue-Based Investing (“RBI”) is a new form of VC financing, distinct from the preferred equity structure most VCs use. For more background, see Revenue-Based Investing: A New Option for Founders who Care About Control. But should they? Optionality.

Revenue 60

Revenue Liquidation Preference Equity Cofounder 60

Pascal's View

DECEMBER 30, 2012

While every company founder makes trade-offs in building a company, few entrepreneurs appreciate the far-reaching implications of several critical decisions they will are required to make at the outset of a startup’s evolution. Most founders tend to make decisions with no process, based on their gut instincts.

Cofounder 34

Cofounder Liquidation Preference Vesting Equity 34

ithacaVC

FEBRUARY 13, 2013

And on the 8th day God looked down on his planned paradise and said, “I need a caretaker for all those entrepreneurs – the crazy ones!” And then go to a demo-day and stay past midnight listening to more pitches, empathizing with entrepreneurs about how hard it is to start a company. Gospel for the VC ages. By Mahendra Ramsinghani.

Liquidation Preference 55

Liquidation Preference IRR Due Diligence LP 55

Spencer Fry

APRIL 17, 2017

As a bootstrapped startup, the only accountability you have is to yourself and to your co-founder if you have one. Now as a bootstrapped business, you’re still giving away equity, but instead of for money, you’re giving it away for time, to your co-founders and others you may work with. Having great accountability.

Bootstrapping 63

Bootstrapping Cap Table Liquidation Preference Cofounder 63