Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 1, 2009

In the first post in this three part series I described why I believe the VC market froze between September 2008 – April 2009. It is also a result of pent-up demand. So I believe that now is the perfect time to build a company and the perfect time for early-stage investors to bet on innovation. million – take it.

Technical Review 269

Technical Review Stock Hawaii Early Stage 269

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 5, 2011

Early-stage investors in technology startups are only looking for growth-oriented companies that can achieve an “exit&# someday – either via selling your company to a larger company or via an IPO. Over time some “norms&# have emerged in pricing based on investors risk / return profile.

Pre-Money Valuation 336

Pre-Money Valuation Valuation Silicon Valley Stock 336

Startup Company Lawyer

MARCH 14, 2010

In addition, I think that a “peace treaty&# between early-stage investors and startup companies on standard terms (at least at a term sheet level) is a step in the right direction. If new investors get better rights in a future equity financings (such as registration rights, price-based anti-dilution, redemption rights, etc.),

Finance 70

Finance Software Review Term Sheet Liquidation Preference 70

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 17, 2011

For many businesses you should keep your costs low & your capital raises low until you discover whether you are really on to a big idea where there is market demand. If you are able to raise money from credible sources at a reasonable dilution percentage then I personally favor getting the round done now and building your business.

Pre-Money Valuation 303

Pre-Money Valuation Dilution Valuation PR 303

rapidrollout.wordpress.com

JANUARY 15, 2011

He or she might call himself a “consulting CTO,&# “freelance CTO,&# “on-demand CTO,&# “CTO on call,&# “CTO for hire,&# or just a “technology strategy advisor.&# By deciding to use a consulting CTO on a temporary basis, you avoid getting stalled in the earliest stages. Blog at WordPress.com.

Fractional CTO 40

Fractional CTO CTO CTO Hire Fractional VPE 40

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

A standard entrepreneur retort I heard back then (2008-09) was “I don’t know what my company is worth now. ” And some seed stage investors told me, “I prefer not to fight over price now. You rarely find full ratchets in early-stage deals any more. Let me explain it more clearly in equity terms.

Ratchet 354

Ratchet Liquidation Preference Equity Stock 354

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 3, 2010

So if a VC wants to work with really talented early-stage entrepreneurs there are times where they have to be willing to seed fund them in order to be in the deal. They said that they didn’t want the extra money or dilution. A very well known early stage fund used to have a rule that they didn’t do follow ons.

Venture Capital 265

Venture Capital Term Sheet Early Stage Silicon Valley 265