Both Sides of the Table

JULY 22, 2010

Back in 1999 when I first raised venture capital I had zero knowledge of what a fair term sheet looked like or how to value my company. And for some strange reason entrepreneurs didn’t share this information. I’ve started from day one trying to build total transparency into my process with entrepreneurs.

Valuation 405

Valuation Liquidation Preference Pre-Money Valuation Term Sheet 405

www.inc.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

Entrepreneur news from reporter Eric Markowitz. Before Roving Software could receive its first round of financing from professional investors, in early 1999, he had to put all the stock arrangements in writing. Create an options pool, if nothing more than in your mind, so you have some parameters to work within," Durkin says.

Fractional CTO 40

Fractional CTO Equity Iowa Technical Cofounder 40

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 4, 2009

I often have career discussions with entrepreneurs – both young and more mature – whether they should join company “X&# or not. It was 1999. When we next spoke he had found out that the CEO had about 5% and there was no management option pool in place. This is part of my Startup Advice series.

Stock Options 418

Stock Options Stock Liquidation Preference Option Pool 418

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 22, 2011

You may feel as I did in 1999 that the more smart people around the table the more intros you’ll have, the more sage advice you’ll receive and the more impressive you’ll seem to outsiders. And I always encourage entrepreneurs to do reference checking. The Perils of Many. Here’s my guide to how to do that.

Dilution 314

Dilution Cap Table Due Diligence Option Pool 314