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? Fourth, founders should button-down all of the key issues in the term sheet.

Term Sheet 76

Term Sheet Due Diligence Liquidation Preference Redemption 76

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

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

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 2, 2009

If a company has reached a level of success, has been around for a few years and you believe the company has potential to break out into a much bigger company then you should let the founders take money off of the table. The VCs basically have liquidity in management fees along the way, in the sense they get paid decently along the way.

Founder 329

Founder Liquidation Preference Term Sheet Participating Preferred 329

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

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

ithacaVC

FEBRUARY 13, 2013

Negotiate a $20 million pre-money with a 19-year-old founder CEO. Somebody who’d bale a portfolio together with the soft strong bonds of liquidation preferences, who’d laugh and then sigh… and then respond with a soft-whisper “NFW”, when his portfolio CEO says he wants to spend his life “doing what a VC does”. So, God made a VC!

Liquidation Preference 55

Liquidation Preference IRR Due Diligence LP 55

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Many founders don’t understand why inside rounds are so difficult. Also, new investors will be worried that the down round will cause founders or senior management to depart and no VC wants to replace management. Because we know in tough times we have to count on our co-investors to be good actors.

Valuation 150

Valuation Down Round Startup Later Stage 150

Agile VC

APRIL 17, 2011

Kayak was started here in my backyard of Boston… co-founder & CTO Paul English and the product/engineering team is based here in Concord MA. Co-founder & CEO Steve Hafner and the business team are based in Norwalk, CT. liquidation preference, 6% accumulated dividend (1). Series A-1 Preferred.

Pre-Money Valuation 113

Pre-Money Valuation Liquidation Preference Dividend Common Stock 113

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 14, 2010

That means that the likely have a minimum of $15 million in liquidation preferences. It will usually be higher because the liquidation preference has a dividend so if the deal is long in the tooth assume that the liquidation preference might be $20-22 million. Take liquidation preferences head on.

Venture Capital 289

Venture Capital Liquidation Preference Common Stock Dividend 289

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. You can start by examining every aspect of the co-founder relationship. Don’t leave anything out just because you and your co-founders already talked about it.

Cofounder 40

Cofounder Founder Preferred Stock Startup 40