Remove Conversion Remove Entrepreneur Remove Post-Money Valuation
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Unintended Consequences: When SAFE and Convertible Notes Go Awry

Pascal's View

Andrew Krowne and I recently co-wrote an article in Tech Crunch , Why SAFE Notes Are Not Safe for Entrepreneurs. This is a fundamental issue that does, indeed, boil down to understanding the post-money valuation of a company. Many entrepreneurs lose track of what they have been cooking up in the cap table.

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What is the Right Burn Rate at a Startup Company?

Both Sides of the Table

Conversely if you’re burning $600,000 per month (yes, some companies do) then you only have 5 months of cash left. In a world where the economy only heads in one direction (read: 2009-2014) most investors & entrepreneurs forget to pay attention to gross burn. Would they be willing to put a bridge loan in place if need be?

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Why Startups Should Raise Money at the Top End of Normal

Both Sides of the Table

I wrote this because over the last decade I’ve seen a destructive cycle where otherwise interesting companies have been screwed by raising too much money at too high of prices and gotten caught in a trap when the markets correct and they got ahead of themselves. I thought I’d post on one of the topics before hand.

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How to Talk About Valuation When a VC Asks

Both Sides of the Table

One of the hardest things about the fund-raising process for entrepreneurs is that you’re trying to raise money from people who have “asymmetric information.” As an entrepreneur it can feel as intimidating as going to buy a car where the dealer knows the price of every make & model of a car and you’re guessing at how much to pay.

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So What is The Right Level of Burn Rate for a Startup These Days?

Both Sides of the Table

As I have pointed out in previous posts , 91% of VCs surveyed believe prices are declining (30% believe substantially) and 77% believe that funding will take longer than it has in the past. I’m surprised how few entrepreneurs have this open conversation with their investors. Wouldn’t you rather know where you stand?

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What is it Like to Negotiate a VC Round?

Both Sides of the Table

I am reminded of this problem every time my firm does a financing where a note went before us but more specifically I was reminded by this great post by Brad Feld to talk about the pre-money vs. post-money conversion issue. It’s worth reading his post to understand the problem. No problem.

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Keep Term Sheets Simple for Quicker Cash to Spend

Startup Professionals Musings

Entrepreneurs sometimes assume an initial agreement with an Angel is a commitment, so they start spending before any money is received. It’s true that Angel investors typically do not present entrepreneurs with overly complicated deal structures, especially when compared to venture capitalists. Seat on the board.