article thumbnail

The Legal Side of Entrepreneurship

YoungUpstarts

They also need to decide whether to structure terms as an equity deal or a convertible security deal. These costs make it preferable to use a convertible security for a raise of this size and to structure as equity financing if you are raising closer to $2 million. Incorporation also protects the founders from a liability standpoint.

article thumbnail

Flexible VCs With Structures Between Equity and Revenue-Based Investing

David Teten

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? V: Should you raise venture capital from a traditional equity VC or a Revenue-Based Investing VC?

Equity 78
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

8 Reasons To Incorporate Your New Company Early

Startup Professionals Musings

Founders generally need more focus on the market sizing, volume projections, cost details and margin expectations to balance the optimism of their passion for the idea. Founder’s stock may be taxed at time of incorporation. Co-founder and equity negotiations work best if you own all the equity.

article thumbnail

Overview of Balance Sheet and Statement of Cash Flows

Feld Thoughts

When we were last with our SayAhh cofounders, they had implemented an accounting system and Jane had contributed $50,000 for a 55/45% equity split. The investments by the founders created two transactions. The Basic Accounting Equation states that Total Assets always must equal Total Liabilities plus Equity.

article thumbnail

Incorporate before pitching to VC’s?

Gust

That is, if all you have is a good idea, the reality is that you are highly unlikely to be able to get funding from anyone at all, even if you are a Delaware C corporation with gilt edge stock certificates.

Delaware 122
article thumbnail

Do It Right The First Time, Part II: Visit the Doctor or House Call?

Gust

Likewise, founders can benefit from understanding basic characteristics of the overall legal structure, formation and governance documents, rights and responsibilities of team members, etc. Stepping off the soapbox, let’s examine the highest level “To Do” list for a new startup: Formation, Governance and Equity. Newco, Inc.”)

article thumbnail

Legal Checklist for Startups

Scott Edward Walker

Incorporate in Delaware and qualify the company to do business in the state in which its principal office is located (see #2 here ). Set-up vesting schedules for the founders (see post here ) and file 83(b) elections with the IRS (see #3 here ). Button-down IP ownership and assignment issues (see post here ).