Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 13, 2014

After years of trying to persuade Kara Nortman to become a partner at Upfront Ventures I can officially announce now that she’s joined us effective immediately. It is rare to find somebody who matches exactly what I’m looking for in a partner so when you find it you act: Academic rigor (Princeton undergrad, Stanford MBA).

Partner 408

Partner Las Vegas Los Angeles Baltimore 408

View from Seed

OCTOBER 21, 2014

Sharing these pricing expectations early with potential lead investors fundamentally qualifies your conversations, but it also runs the risk of prematurely losing a potential financing partner, or else it can reduce options to maximize your fundraise outcome. And as my partner Rob Go likes to say, “Time kills all deals.”).

Valuation 336

Valuation Founder Seed Stage Angel Investor 336

YoungUpstarts

NOVEMBER 27, 2018

by Emmanuel de Watteville, co-founder of Blue Ocean Ventures. Before sealing the deal, the final step is to learn whether or not the company’s founder is willing to pivot in the future. Emmanuel de Watteville, General Partner and Co-founder of Blue Ocean Ventures, has been part of the startup ecosystem since 2003.

Early Stage 138

Early Stage Cofounder Startup Security 138

Scott Edward Walker

DECEMBER 13, 2018

The purpose of this post is briefly (i) to provide an overview of acquihires and (ii) to discuss the significant legal issues that founders must address. How is the Deal Structured? Will the Founders Receive any Purchase Price Proceeds? Why Then Do Founders Do Acquihires? What is an Acquihire?

Founder 45

Founder Merger IP Liquidation Preference 45

YoungUpstarts

MAY 14, 2018

Marks, founder and managing partner of High Rock Partners and author of “ Middle Market M & A: Handbook for Investment Banking and Business Consulting “ Conventional wisdom says that a company grows by reaching new customers, increasing its workforce, expanding marketing or launching new products or services.

Acquisition 109

Acquisition Finance Raleigh Mezzanine 109

Scott Edward Walker

FEBRUARY 9, 2020

I’ve been doing M&A transactions for 25+ years (including nearly eight years at two major New York City law firms), and I wanted to briefly discuss an important issue for founders interested in selling their company: the distinction between strategic and financial buyers. How Is the Deal Structure Different with a Financial Buyer?

Private Equity 59

Private Equity New York City Equity Deal Structure 59

David Teten

JANUARY 21, 2021

(co-written with Jamie Finney, Founding Partner at Greater Colorado Venture Fund. This essay is part of a series on alternative VC: I: Revenue-Based Investing: a new option for founders who care about control. III: Why are Revenue-Based VCs investing in so many women and underrepresented founders?

Equity 78

Equity Revenue Cofounder Colorado 78