Agile VC

DECEMBER 4, 2014

I like to say that “there are only co-founders” — it’s extraordinarily rare for a successful business to have just a sole founder. But not all co-founders are equal in terms of title, ownership, responsibilities, and so forth. Sometimes co-founders put off the equity split question for some time.

Cofounder 173

Cofounder Equity Founder Sweat Equity 173

Austin Startup

JULY 22, 2021

Any software, hardware, or CPG startup in Texas with a female founder or co-founder can apply to participate. We’ve helped winners connect with customers, mentors, and secure millions of dollars in capital from partners like Google Black Founders Fund, Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Fund, Backstage Capital, and many other VC investors.

San Antonio 107

San Antonio Dallas Houston Founder 107

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 1, 2020

It is going to cost a lot of money just to get the initial batch of products to test the market and would definitely require external funding. The shares given out can either be common stocks or preferred stocks. ? Debt investment. You must understand that you, as a founder, must gel with the investor.

Startup 150

Startup Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Seed Stage 150

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 24, 2017

Why do these founders get to stay around? Because the balance of power has dramatically shifted from investors to founders. VCs competing for unicorn investments have given founders control of the board. A pre-IPO board usually had two founders, two VCs and one “independent” member. Technology Cycles Measured in Years.

Founder 263

Founder Technical Review CTO Hire IPO 263

Agile VC

APRIL 17, 2011

Kayak was started here in my backyard of Boston… co-founder & CTO Paul English and the product/engineering team is based here in Concord MA. Co-founder & CEO Steve Hafner and the business team are based in Norwalk, CT. Led by General Catalyst with participation by co-founders Steve Hafner & Paul English.

Pre-Money Valuation 113

Pre-Money Valuation Liquidation Preference Dividend Common Stock 113

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

That’s because obtaining a pre-money valuation for a concept level technology company in excess of $1 million is difficult, particularly for a startup founder without a proven track record. Under that scenario, the same $500,000 is only worth a 10-ish percent stake in the business, and the founder can retain far more control in the entity.

Private Equity 94

Private Equity Pre-Money Valuation Equity Startup 94

Startup Company Lawyer

MAY 4, 2009

Adeo Ressi , the founding member of TheFunded , recently announced the establishment of TheFunded Founder Institute. The Founder Institute helps founders launch innovative companies by providing training, services, and company-building assignments, such as incorporating the business, filing provision patents, and setting up books and records.

Founder 28

Founder Warrant San Francisco Intellectual Property 28

Austin Startup

JULY 6, 2018

Re: cash, the more “unbundled” types of accelerators (less formalized, less equity) tend to not provide any cash upfront, but also typically “cost” less in equity, often just 1–2% of your fully diluted capitalization. Ask specific founders, off the record. Anti-Dilution. Fundraising / general success of past companies. Market Focus.

Dilution 48

Dilution Startup Technical Review Equity 48

Steve Blank

APRIL 10, 2019

For most startup employee’s startup stock options are now a bad deal. Why Startups Offer Stock Options. In tech startups stock options were here almost from the beginning, first offered to the founders in 1957 at Fairchild Semiconductor , the first chip startup in Silicon Valley. Not everyone got the same amount of stock.

Stock Options 334

Stock Options Stock Vesting Common Stock 334

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 18, 2015

When an entrepreneur first incorporates his or her business, he or she may find him or herself the proud owner of 10 million shares of common stock, commonly called founder’s shares. Key founder vesting should have no cliff. Retain the right to reclaim stock from anyone leaving the startup.

Stock 120

Stock Vesting Common Stock Founder Vesting 120

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 29, 2010

The downside is that people need to buy their stock. I talked also about 409a valuations and why common stock purchases cost less than preferred stock purchases. But most importantly I lectured founders that you can’t avoid the admin of setting up your ESOP. Do it early.

Venture Capital 282

Venture Capital Term Sheet Valuation Stock Options 282

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

I know how to structure around that to protect the founders from getting screwed on a multiple liquidation preference. But most VCs don’t bother so many convertible note founders get screwed and never know it until they sell their companies. There are a million ways to do quick, easy, low-cost rounds with prices.

Venture Capital 417

Venture Capital Liquidation Preference Valuation Term Sheet 417

Gust

DECEMBER 18, 2013

Assuming the company is able to make effective use of the seed money to greatly increase the value of the enterprise, all of that value therefore accrues to the founder, rather than the investor.

Valuation 150

Valuation Founder Seed Money Common Stock 150

Startup Company Lawyer

APRIL 23, 2009

Adeo Ressi , the founding member of The Funded , recently announced the establishment of The Funded Founder Institute. The program participants, the Founders, receive extensive training in weekly sessions overseen by three Mentors – two seasoned CEOs and one domain expert for each topic. Protective provisions.

Common Stock 33

Common Stock Stock Dividend Delaware 33

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 29, 2018

I’ll never forget that great sense of excitement I felt when I incorporated my first business, and realized that I was now the proud owner of 10 million shares of common stock. Of course, initially these founder’s shares were worth essentially nothing, but it doesn’t take much of an imagination to grasp the possibilities.

Stock 129

Stock Vesting Preferred Stock Cofounder 129

Up and Running

AUGUST 17, 2015

Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship: While the exact title and contents of this class may vary depending on the business school you attend, as a first time founder, it’s incredibly important to understand all of the legal considerations around starting your own company (e.g., It helps mitigate startup risk.

Entrepreneur 60

Entrepreneur Cofounder Angel Investor eCommerce 60

Startup Company Lawyer

AUGUST 31, 2012

” However, I believe that YC realizes that having debt outstanding that may need to be repaid is not a good situation for founders. There are some features in the sample documents that I like — such as the conversion discount being paid in common stock — that are in the form of convertible debt documents used by YC.

Convertible Security 73

Convertible Security Equity Security Preferred Stock 73

www.inc.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

Last spring, Dave Graham , founder of software consulting firm Arizona Bay, learned that a major client, Jumpstart Automotive Media, had been acquired for more than $80 million. Theres a huge opportunity cost in not taking equity," he says. Related Tools Project Charter Example. Quality Manager Job Description.

Arizona 40

Arizona Equity Iowa Venture Capital 40

Scott Edward Walker

APRIL 9, 2012

As a result, the pendulum has swung dramatically in the founders’ favor, and the issuance of convertible notes for seed financing has never been more prolific. ii) why are convertible notes issued instead of shares of common or preferred stock? Why Can’t a Startup Issue Shares of Common Stock to Investors?

Preferred Stock 87

Preferred Stock Finance Common Stock Liquidation Preference 87

Gust

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

I know how to structure around that to protect the founders from getting screwed on a multiple liquidation preference. But most VCs don’t bother so many convertible note founders get screwed and never know it until they sell their companies. There are a million ways to do quick, easy, low-cost rounds with prices. And so forth.

Liquidation Preference 153

Liquidation Preference Valuation Term Sheet Stock 153

Startup Company Lawyer

MARCH 14, 2010

Founders Institute Plain Preferred Term Sheet (by WSGR – disclaimer, I represent the Founders Institute and was involved in drafting this document). Yes for Series Seed holders and founders. Triggered upon (i) majority of common, (ii) majority of Series Sees, and (iii) board approval. Legal fees. Investor pressure.

Finance 70

Finance Software Review Term Sheet Liquidation Preference 70

keen.io

FEBRUARY 5, 2013

The founders had been dropping hints that they wanted me to join them. This book was written to help founders negotiate financing with investors, but it really helped me understand Keen’s financial situation, and I highly recommend it to anyone joining a startup. So I knew a little bit. I knew enough to know I wanted to join a startup.

Salary 50

Salary Equity Startup San Francisco 50

Gust

JULY 23, 2012

However, for investors and founders, it may be helpful to think outside the box when it comes to giving. Donations of private company stock may be an effective and tax-efficient method of giving with significant benefits to the donor. These assets often have a relatively low cost basis (e.g. The Tax Benefit.

Stock 114

Stock Capital Gains Warrant Stock Options 114

Up and Running

DECEMBER 1, 2015

Typically, employers that offer employees equity compensation will do so in the form of common stock, preferred stock, or stock options. As opposed to stock options where the employee can decide to purchase the stock or not, restricted stock is often “granted” or given to the employee.

Equity 60

Equity Employee Stock Options Vesting 60

Eric Friedman

JUNE 27, 2016

Here are the questions I like to see founders ask potential advisors; 1. A little bit of background first on options: In order to issue options, your company must have a valid 409A valuation setting the fair market value (“FMV”) of a share of common stock. So why would you do this? strike price.

Equity 98

Equity Vesting Cap Table Common Stock 98

ReadWriteStart

MAY 8, 2012

I did recover from this, but when you start the funding process, evaluate exactly what you need to do to get to the next steps and how much that will cost. Gina Mancuso , Founder and CEO of LoveThatFit. Avichal Garg , Co-Founder and CEO of Spool. Justin Beck , Co-Founder and CEO of PerBlue. Stay positive, stay focused.”

Cofounder 140

Cofounder Startup San Francisco Silicon Valley 140

Gust

DECEMBER 8, 2011

Likewise, founders can benefit from understanding basic characteristics of the overall legal structure, formation and governance documents, rights and responsibilities of team members, etc. Determine who will serve on the Board of Directors and in executive officer positions (usually founders). Newco, Inc.”)

Intellectual Property 139

Intellectual Property Non-disclosure Agreement Delaware Stock 139

www.payne.org

SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

2 Stock Classes: Common and Preferred. 5 Stock vs Options. 6 Founders / Restricted Stock. The re-heating of the venture funded tech market has pushed a heat up of the hiring market, and Im getting more calls from friends asking for help understanding startup stock (equity) offers. From Payne.org Wiki.

Equity 56

Equity Employee Vesting Preferred Stock 56

Lightspeed Venture Partners

OCTOBER 1, 2012

Many VCs won’t even consider an investment in a company where the founders are expressly looking to exit early. in sales but made only $20k in profit, despite not having any advertising costs. The product retails for $39.95, wholesales for $19.95, and costs just $5 to make. Last year it did $3.9M

Pre-Money Valuation 158

Pre-Money Valuation Valuation Participating Preferred Preferred Stock 158

Tim Keane

JANUARY 12, 2010

.   In some rare cases, there may also be a participation provision for dividends which pays the preferred a dividend beyond their own equal to any dividend paid to the common.   It is very expensive if you’re the entrepreneur since it doubles the cost to the company of paying dividends to the entrepreneur.

Term Sheet 68

Term Sheet Valuation Dividend Liquidation Preference 68

ReadWriteStart

JANUARY 28, 2022

Common stock. The holding of common stock in a company indicates ownership in the corporation. Investors of common stock are eligible for : The choice of the Board of Directors. However, the holder of a warrant holds a leveraged bet on the corporation’s common shares. Preferred shares.

Valuation 108

Valuation Equity Warrant Common Stock 108

The Startup Lawyer

FEBRUARY 4, 2011

But before your startup signs up and cashes that $[XX,000] check, your startup’s co-founders should sit down and evaluate the incubator’s offer. Most incubators take common stock and sit “side-by-side&# with the founders, but some may want some (weak) preferred stock and/or dilution protection.

Incubator 105

Incubator Pre-Money Valuation Option Pool Advisory Board 105

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

Can you imagine investing in the stock market where your price was determined at a future date and the better that company performed the HIGHER the price you paid for that investment. In fact, most early investor work hard to help their startups get to the next level so it makes no sense for the angel investor and founders to be at odds.

Ratchet 354

Ratchet Liquidation Preference Equity Stock 354

Startup Company Lawyer

JULY 20, 2009

I am giving a presentation to some of the founders in TheFunded Founder Institute on incorporating their companies, so I thought I would recycle some thoughts.]. Founders of startup companies often wait to incorporate a company until they are confident that their concept is viable or fundable. More than one founder.

IP 67

IP Stock Options Preferred Stock Capital Gains 67

www.paulgraham.com

APRIL 28, 2010

I think it would help founders to understand funding better—notjust the mechanics of it, but what investors are thinking. And if trouble withinvestors is one of the biggest threats to a startup, managing themis one of the most important skills founders need to learn. Few startups get it quite right. Many are underfunded.

Technical Review 76

Technical Review Startup Software Review Angel Investor 76

Professor VC

FEBRUARY 18, 2011

Techcrunch called it one of the " most like-minded and forward-thinking acquisitions I’ve ever seen " I met with the founders of CardMunch several months ago when they were out raising their Series Seed round. I liked the founders (Bowei and Sid) a lot more than the business.

Acquisition 31

Acquisition San Jose Angel Investor IPO 31

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2011

Here are the parameters you should use in sizing your request, and be able to explain in justifying your request to investors: Consider implied ownership cost. Do your financial model first with the volume, cost, and pricing parameters you want. The investor would be buying your company five times over, and he doesn’t want it.

Entrepreneur 234

Entrepreneur Valuation Early Stage Warrant 234