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Founders – Use Your Down Round To Clean Up Your Cap Table

Feld Thoughts

I started investing in 1994 and while there was some bumpiness in 1997 and again in 1999, the real pain happened between 2000 and 2005. Then, if you end up doing a down round, it suddenly matters a lot. Don’t worry about this too much, until you do a down round.

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What is the Right Burn Rate at a Startup Company?

Both Sides of the Table

by Michael Woolf that is worth any startup founder reading to get a sense of perspective on the reality warp that is startup world during a frothy market such as 1997-1999, 2005-2007 or 2012-2014. (it is also the title of a fabulous book from Internet 1.0

Burn Rate 383
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On the Road to Recap:

abovethecrowd.com

In 1999, record valuations coexisted with record IPOs and shareholder liquidity. If 1999 was a wet (read liquid) bubble, 2015 was a particularly dry one. Also, they have a strong belief that any sign of weakness (such as a down round) will have a catastrophic impact on their culture, hiring process, and ability to retain employees.

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Capital Market Climate Change

Ben's Blog

3/31/1999: 49.7. When you go to fundraise, you will need to consider the possibility of a valuation lower than the valuation of your last round, i.e., the dreaded down round. Down rounds are bad and hit founders disproportionately hard, but they are not as bad as bankruptcy. Yes, we did a down round.

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Market Truths

thebarefootvc

I’ve seen several cycles in the market since I first started venture investing in 1999, and I believe there has been no greater potential for wealth creation in the sector than there is now. As someone who invested through the 2001 and 2008 crashes I can assure you that down rounds and fire sales are not fun for anyone involved.

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Market Truths

thebarefootvc

I’ve seen several cycles in the market since I first started venture investing in 1999, and I believe there has been no greater potential for wealth creation in the sector than there is now. As someone who invested through the 2001 and 2008 crashes I can assure you that down rounds and fire sales are not fun for anyone involved.

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Market Truths

thebarefootvc

I’ve seen several cycles in the market since I first started venture investing in 1999, and I believe there has been no greater potential for wealth creation in the sector than there is now. As someone who invested through the 2001 and 2008 crashes I can assure you that down rounds and fire sales are not fun for anyone involved.