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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. So a large part of your personal assessment on how much you can afford to burn also has to be your current valuation. Would they be willing to put a bridge loan in place if need be?

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Unintended Consequences: When SAFE and Convertible Notes Go Awry

Pascal's View

This is a fundamental issue that does, indeed, boil down to understanding the post-money valuation of a company. At its core, this issue points to the lack of understanding about the importance of post-money valuation by both entrepreneurs and investors.

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How to Talk About Valuation When a VC Asks

Both Sides of the Table

What was the post money on your last round (and how much capital have you raised)? It’s not uncommon for a VC to ask you how much capital you’ve raised and what the post-money valuation was on your last round. and “what was the post-money valuation of your last round?”

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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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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.

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

Both Sides of the Table

How much your company should burn should also have a direct correlation with whom your existing investors are and I strongly advise that you have open conversations with them about their comfort levels and also the level of support you are likely to receive going forward.

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Keep Term Sheets Simple for Quicker Cash to Spend

Startup Professionals Musings

The price is the percent of ownership given to the investor, calculated as “investment/post-money valuation.” The pre-money valuation is company value today, while the post-money valuation is the pre-money valuation plus the investment amount. Seat on the board.