YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 20, 2019

by Alejandro Cremades , cofounder of Panthera Advisors and author of “ The Art of Startup Fundraising: Pitching Investors, Negotiating the Deal, and Everything Else Entrepreneurs Need to Know “ Why should entrepreneurs intentionally be generous when negotiating with investors? Even if not, they may need to bless the terms.

Technical Cofounder 127

Technical Cofounder Entrepreneur Cofounder Post-Money Valuation 127

David Teten

JANUARY 19, 2021

(co-written with Jamie Finney, Founding Partner at Greater Colorado Venture Fund. More and more startups are pursuing Revenue-Based VCs , but “RBI” doesn’t fit everyone. From RBI, Flexible VCs borrow the ability to reap meaningful returns without demanding founders build for an exit. Of the Inc. 5000 companies, only 6.5%

Cofounder 78

Cofounder Technical Review Equity Dividend 78

David Teten

AUGUST 19, 2019

However, many industry experts question the accuracy of early-stage market data, given many startups are no longer filing their Form Ds. John Borchers, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Decathlon Capital, claims to be the largest revenue-based financing investor in the US. of founders raise VC; the other 99.4%

Revenue 60

Revenue Term Sheet Founder Technical Review 60

View from Seed

APRIL 30, 2015

There’s been a lot of digital ink spilled around the various types of capital available to startups today. What is it, and how should founders think about it? As a startup grows, venture debt becomes a viable option to continue that growth. You’ll also see some startups use it as an additional cushion.

Term Sheet 120

Term Sheet Equity Startup Seed Stage 120

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 19, 2014

I first met Andrew Stalbow , the founder & CEO of Seriously in August of 2013. and Petri was co-founder and head of creative at Remedy Entertainment that launched the hit PC games Max Payne and Alan Wake. I think this is a Seriously great example of how this process works for at least one VC – Upfront Ventures.

Technical Review 373

Technical Review North America Los Angeles Cofounder 373

Startup Lessons Learned

AUGUST 17, 2020

Here's my conversation with the founders of Revolution Foods. I'm the co founder and Chief Impact Officer at Revolution Foods. I'm the co-founder and CEO of Revolution Foods. I co-founded Revolution Foods with Kirsten Tobey in 2006 to ensure quality food access for all children across the nation.

Cofounder 60

Cofounder Security Founder Entrepreneur 60

Austin Startup

JULY 22, 2017

Back in December 2016 I had the idea to develop a startup pledge for diversity and inclusion here in Austin and since have informally been working with some folks to develop the idea. This is similar to something we did at Austin Ventures to encourage startups to make a donation to the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas.

Austin 54

Austin Angel Investor Startup Term Sheet 54

View from Seed

SEPTEMBER 4, 2018

Most of these rhyme with what we’ve said in the past, but some have also evolved to fit the changing landscape and our own convictions about what really matters for founders and their investors at the seed stage. Of the last 15 investments we’ve made, we’ve been the lead or co-lead investor over 80% of the time. .

North America 120

North America Seed Stage Early Stage Lead Investor 120

This is going to be BIG.

DECEMBER 13, 2021

However, too many people approach it by just copying what it seems like everyone else is doing without taking a hard look at what your actual goals are and really learning how to go about the job of Founder and CEO. They’re “playing startup” as opposed to actually building a company. How do you know which is which?

Startup 156

Startup Term Sheet Differentiation Cofounder 156

Version One Ventures

JULY 20, 2017

million seed round, we’re looking back at our journey with founders Mike Murchison and David Hariri. He stumbled across “Volley,” a startup we had never heard of before, but appeared at the top of the search results (for the query “Toronto”, “no known funding”) and had a high momentum score. We led the Volley pre-Seed round.

Artificial Inteligence 150

Artificial Inteligence Silicon Valley Stealth Term Sheet 150

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 25, 2010

We had many term sheets (it was 1999 and we had a pulse) and we were deciding which one to take. We were trying to optimize around a few criteria: price, size of round, number of syndicate partners and, of course, terms. We ended up agreeing a term sheet for $16.5 6 weeks’ later he didn’t have other term sheets.

Technical Review 301

Technical Review Term Sheet Due Diligence Venture Capital 301

The Startup Lawyer

APRIL 2, 2014

My firm and Tech Wildcatters are co-hosting a live mock Series A term sheet negotiation on April 25th from 1-3pm. Brad Hunstable, founder and CEO of Ustream, will play the role of the startup founder and a “TBD” VC will […]. Startup Lawyer'

Term Sheet 71

Term Sheet Dallas Cofounder Texas 71

Scott Edward Walker

SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

Introduction This post originally appeared in the “ Ask the Attorney ” column I am writing for VentureBeat ; it is part of my ongoing series regarding venture capital term sheets. 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

View from Seed

MAY 31, 2023

For example, a 2009 study conducted by Paul Gompers and David Scharfstein, “Performance Persistence in Entrepreneurship”, found that failed founders have the same chances of success¹ as novice founders, but prior success does increase the odds of future success. I reached out to a dozen founders using the criteria of: 1.

Silicon Valley 156

Silicon Valley Cofounder Term Sheet Founder 156

Startup Lessons Learned

MAY 31, 2019

He’ll be speaking at this year’s Lean Startup Conference , and also has a new book (for which I very happily wrote a short foreword) coming out next month: Secrets of Sand Hill Road: Venture Capital and How to Get It. I’ve seen many founders not fully grasp how the venture capital business works and what incentives investors have.

Lean 108

Lean Venture Capital Conversion IPO 108

Up and Running

MAY 18, 2016

Reading lists are dime a dozen, but reading lists that focus on rapid-growth startup businesses? It’s the ultimate startup guide if you’re looking for systematic business growth and guidance on what not to do. The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses.

Startup 80

Startup Venture Capital Angel Investor Lean 80

Hunter Walker

JANUARY 5, 2014

Managing short-term tactical outcomes with longer term relationship cultivation. Meeting new founders while collaborating, recruiting, analyzing, doing whatever it takes, to help our current founders build strong companies. Doing what excites me and gives energy. 1) Evaluate New Opportunities.

Software Review 105

Software Review Balance Sheet Cofounder Technical Review 105

Reid Hoffman

JULY 27, 2021

As I discussed last week in the Greymatter podcast with my friend and Blitzscaling co-author Chris Yeh , I believe that a knowledge of philosophy is actually a great asset for entrepreneurs. Nothing gets in the way of their pursuit of startup success. My general advice is to go join a startup as an employee, and learn from experience.

Silicon Valley 69

Silicon Valley Venture Capital Balance Sheet Cofounder 69

Reid Hoffman

JULY 27, 2021

As I discussed last week in the Greymatter podcast with my friend and Blitzscaling co-author Chris Yeh , I believe that a knowledge of philosophy is actually a great asset for entrepreneurs. Nothing gets in the way of their pursuit of startup success. Like many first time founders, I ran over that landmine.

Silicon Valley 69

Silicon Valley Venture Capital Balance Sheet Cofounder 69

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. Founders however are asked to take low salaries and never really get back the time they worked for free.

Founder 329

Founder Liquidation Preference Term Sheet Participating Preferred 329

Austin Startup

JULY 22, 2021

On October 4th, five technology startup finalists will pitch to a panel of advisors and judges made up of successful investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. Any software, hardware, or CPG startup in Texas with a female founder or co-founder can apply to participate. Startups, submit your application now!

San Antonio 107

San Antonio Dallas Houston Founder 107

This is going to be BIG.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

This is a company that, according to the article, got term sheets from half of the VCs that expressed interest in the company. Did I mention it only took the founder a month? How would they know unless they surveyed a critical mass of startups all at the same stage now and then three years ago or so to compare?

Venture Capital 130

Venture Capital Marketing Term Sheet Software Review 130

David Teten

AUGUST 19, 2019

RBI normally requires founders to pay back their investors with a fixed percentage of revenue until they have finished providing the investor with a fixed return on capital, which they agree upon in advance. For background, see Revenue-Based Investing: A New Option for Founders who Care About Control. Decathlon Capital.

Revenue 60

Revenue Technical Review Software Review Equity 60

Cracking the Code

JULY 5, 2016

Most startups fail at getting a new country off the ground. PostoInAuto’s founder, Olivier Bremer, was terribly talented, but his business was not at a point where he could raise a significant investment. He was intrigued, so I connected him to BlaBlaCar’s founders who convinced him to join the adventure shortly after.

Italy 59

Italy Technical Review Germany Poland 59

Rob Go

SEPTEMBER 4, 2018

Most of these rhyme with what we’ve said in the past, but some have also evolved to fit the changing landscape and our own convictions about what really matters for founders and their investors at the seed stage. Of the last 15 investments we’ve made, we’ve been the lead or co-lead investor over 80% of the time. .

North America 36

North America Seed Stage Early Stage Lead Investor 36

Austin Startup

FEBRUARY 11, 2020

On April 14th, during Capital Factory’s Black in Tech Summit, five technology startup finalists will pitch to prestigious judges made up of successful entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and DivInc leadership. One founder/startup will walk away with a $100,000 investment that day! Submit your application Who can apply?

Houston 84

Houston Dallas Term Sheet Texas 84

Austin Startup

FEBRUARY 11, 2020

On April 14th, during Capital Factory’s Black in Tech Summit, five technology startup finalists will pitch to prestigious judges made up of successful entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and DivInc leadership. One founder/startup will walk away with a $100,000 investment that day! Submit your application Who can apply?

Houston 84

Houston Dallas Term Sheet Texas 84

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 17, 2012

Oblong, led by Kwin Kramer, which houses more MIT grads per startup than probably any other in LA. A quick survey of their portfolio tells you just how many high-profile startups have included them in their rounds. I know that I call them often to co-invest. North of the 101]. And do so in real life, too. downtown LA].

Community 304

Community Los Angeles Startup Silicon Valley 304

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 8, 2011

Launchpad LA today announces it will accept applications for its third class of Los Angeles-based tech startups. But the most important metric has been the deep and lasting relationships that have been built with startups and also between senior executives. For any company interested in applying please visit the website.

Los Angeles 287

Los Angeles Silicon Valley Incubator Startup 287

Eric Friedman

AUGUST 18, 2021

Dan is the co-founder of Standard Treasury, a Y Combinator backed company. He is also co-founder and Managing Partner of Deciens Capital, an early stage investment fund. I hope you take this as a term of endearment. Fred Ehrsam , his co-founder, is also incredible. On Sushi and VC. Everything we do.

Silicon Valley 88

Silicon Valley Venture Capital Cofounder Africa 88

View from Seed

AUGUST 12, 2015

I loved the founder but was struggling because this just didn’t seem “big enough” to me. Editor’s note: You can hear how one entrepreneur — Jason Robins, the co-founder and CEO of DraftKings, now valued at over $1B — handled this exact pushback around market size and consumer adoption during his early fundraising efforts.

Seed Stage 120

Seed Stage Marketing Angel Investor Term Sheet 120

View from Seed

AUGUST 12, 2015

I loved the founder but was struggling because this just didn’t seem “big enough” to me. Editor’s note: You can hear how one entrepreneur — Jason Robins, the co-founder and CEO of DraftKings, now valued at over $1B — handled this exact pushback around market size and consumer adoption during his early fundraising efforts.

Seed Stage 120

Seed Stage Marketing Angel Investor Term Sheet 120

Steve Blank

JANUARY 4, 2010

A lot of entrepreneurs think that their startup is the next big thing when in reality they’re just building a small business. How can you tell if your startup has the potential to be the next Google, Intel or Facebook? A first order filter is whether the founders are aiming for a scalable startup. The Scalable Startup.

Hockey Stick 302

Hockey Stick Venture Capital Startup Cofounder 302

OnlyOnce

APRIL 27, 2021

Last week, I blogged about Bolster’s Board Benchmark survey results , which really laid bare the lack of diversity on startup boards. My new mantra for Startup Boards is simple: 1-1-1. The conversation with your co-founder about only one founder/executive on the board. Seats don’t turn over often.

Vesting 48

Vesting Cofounder Startup Term Sheet 48

Startup Company Lawyer

MARCH 14, 2010

Founders Institute Plain Preferred Term Sheet (by WSGR – disclaimer, I represent the Founders Institute and was involved in drafting this document). This post assumes that you have a basic understanding of Series A financing terms. Co-sale rights. Dividend preference. Voting agreement.

Finance 70

Finance Software Review Term Sheet Liquidation Preference 70

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 5, 2015

Over the years I’ve written extensively about the downsides of convertible notes for startups such as here , here and here. If you’re a solo founder and haven’t built out your team or engineers I’m likely to want 15+%. million and the founder starts thinking, “yeah, $3.5 Those are the big three.

Pre-Money Valuation 150

Pre-Money Valuation Option Pool Post-Money Valuation Dilution 150

Scott Edward Walker

APRIL 26, 2016

I’m using Twitter as a form of micro-blogging to share interesting articles, blog posts and video clips relating to startups, entrepreneurship and legal issues. Quora: “How much equity should I give to a niche celebrity who wants to join my pre-revenue startup?” Quora: “How can I let my cofounders go?”

Cofounder 40

Cofounder Term Sheet Equity Revenue 40