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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.
As the company grows and the second or third group of investors comes in, the terms of each subsequent financing grow in size, scope, and the number of lawyers’ fingerprints on them. The price is the percent of ownership given to the investor, calculated as “investment/post-moneyvaluation.” Seat on the board.
As the company grows and the second or third group of investors comes in, the terms of each subsequent financing grow in size, scope, and the number of lawyers’ fingerprints on them. The price is the percent of ownership given to the investor, calculated as “investment/post-moneyvaluation.” Seat on the board.
This is a fundamental issue that does, indeed, boil down to understanding the post-moneyvaluation of a company. At its core, this issue points to the lack of understanding about the importance of post-moneyvaluation by both entrepreneurs and investors.
As the company grows and the second or third group of investors comes in, the terms of each subsequent financing grow in size, scope, and the number of lawyers’ fingerprints on them. The price is the percent of ownership given to the investor, calculated as “investment/post-moneyvaluation.” Seat on the board.
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-moneyconversion issue. It’s worth reading his post to understand the problem.
Unlike a startup that might raise equity financing across several rounds all combined in a single balance sheet, VC’s do not simply commingle these funds into a single bucket to be allocated across all the companies in that firm’s portfolio.
Much of it is very short term focused and, like a giant tractor beam, draws the conversation into a very short time horizon (as in days or weeks). I watched, participated, and suffered through every type of creative financing as companies were struggling to raise capital in this time frame. Or you might need to raise it.
VCs have an unfair advantage when it comes to financings. A typical start-up company will do 2-4 venture capital financings before a successful exit (or, conversely, an ignomious ending). In contrast, the typical venture capitalist, either individually or across their partnership, will do 5-10 financings in any given year.
with a median post-moneyvaluation of $10.7M — these are the highest Pitchbook has recorded. OK, so microVC funds and smaller pre-seed financings could really be a thing. The side conversations today were the best part, of course, seeing old friends and old faces, and meeting some new friends, as well.
Or, if you just want the paragraph, it’s: “If this note converts at a price higher than the cap that you have been given you agree that in the conversion of the note into equity you agree to allow your stock to be converted such that you will receive no more than a 1x non-participating liquidation preference plus any agreed interest.”.
Having a relatively small about of convertible debt on your balance sheet prior to your Series A financing is not a bad thing. And let’s assume that the debt has a 20% conversion discount. I am going to ignore any valuation cap feature. Series A premoney valuation negotiated to be $3mm.
In the episode, Kristy Kruger talks about picturing unicorns roaming the planes in Africa as a kid and being at a party many years later when the topic of conversation turned to endangered species: It was about a group of five to seven people, kind of standing around the keg, just talking. or a market cap of $800M. igthwghjg2q2g8hu4).
It’s like we need a finance 101 course for entrepreneurs. Me: There is no rational explanation for valuations of A round companies by ANY objective financial measure. In finance they call it “terminal value” but the truth is the price is as arbitrary at your A round as it is at your seed round.
It’s like we need a finance 101 course for entrepreneurs. Me: There is no rational explanation for valuations of A round companies by ANY objective financial measure. In finance they call it “terminal value” but the truth is the price is as arbitrary at your A round as it is at your seed round. These are all real conversations.
do not think being friends or relatives reduces the need for these difficult and/or awkward conversations. Because now you have more to lose than just a company and your (or someone else’s) money. He obviously never launched a startup and got shafted by a co-founder. Click here to learn more about his practice.
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