Austin Startup

AUGUST 1, 2017

This is most clearly highlighted in the “unicorn” boom we all saw over the past few years, where founders raised very large rounds, with terms very onerous to the underlying common stock, hoping they could eventually justify billion dollar valuations to skeptical acquirers or public market investors. Angels/Seed Funds v.

Liquidation Preference 48

Liquidation Preference Common Stock Valuation Silicon Valley 48

K9 Ventures

JUNE 5, 2015

Low supply of companies with traction drove the valuations and deal sizes up. So while the infrastructure cost and startup costs may have declined, the operating costs have increased. As it happens almost every few years there was a new normal developing. Valuations are rising to match. Seed stage was super tough.

Seed Stage 48

Seed Stage Venture Capital Early Stage Valuation 48

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 4, 2009

This is part of my Startup Advice series. If you’re thinking about joining as the director of marketing, product management manager, senior architect, international business development lead, etc. at a startup that has already raised $5 million the chances of you making your retirement money on that company is EXTREMELY small.

Stock Options 418

Stock Options Stock Liquidation Preference Option Pool 418

www.mattbartus.com

DECEMBER 9, 2012

Perspectives on issues affecting founders, startups and investors from a veteran startup lawyer in Silicon Valley. How to pump up your VC valuation. Let’s say you receive a term sheet for a $1 million investment at a $3 million fully diluted pre-money valuation, and you’re kind of disappointed. 10,000,000.

Warrant 40

Warrant Valuation Pre-Money Valuation Term Sheet 40

Up and Running

DECEMBER 30, 2015

Setting too high a valuation. Setting too high a valuation during a funding round can set you up for failure, setting expectations too high for ensuing rounds. It might be difficult to exceed your valuation, making investor relations difficult. – Phil Chen, Systems Watch. Timing is everything for valuation, market, and team.

Due Diligence 84

Due Diligence Valuation Liquidation Preference Redemption 84

www.readwriteweb.com

DECEMBER 29, 2011

While certainly not every business needs to raise venture financing, it is the path for many high-growth technology startups. Therefore, going down the fundraising path is something many technology entrepreneurs will need to do and is a critical step in the development of their business. Tip 2: Have A Real Lead.

Cap Table 47

Cap Table Term Sheet Liquidation Preference Technical Review 47

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 6, 2010

We set our sites on our IPO price and then worked back to our current valuation and showed potential employees what we thought they could earn (with all legal caveats) if the company was successful. So I developed this standard line that I used for all employees. Valuation or percentages – it’s up to you.

Stock Options 294

Stock Options Stock Valuation Liquidation Preference 294

Scott Edward Walker

APRIL 9, 2012

Venture capital funds, seed funds, super angels, angel groups, incubators, and “friends and family” are all playing the seed financing game and investing early in startups in an attempt to land the next Facebook. Indeed, as a corporate lawyer for 18+ years, I have seen this development first-hand. price the round).

Preferred Stock 87

Preferred Stock Finance Common Stock Liquidation Preference 87

genylabs.typepad.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

Planning, Startups, Stories. I wont bother going into details on start-up financing terms ( see this post for an overview of typical VC terms) except to say if you dont know and understand: the firms cap table and valuation. where your stock sits in the liquidity preference stack. Small Business Blogs. OReilly Radar.

Equity 40

Equity Technical Review San Jose Stock 40

Professor VC

JUNE 6, 2016

However, in my 25 years in the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem, I've experienced the VC corollary to the golden rule much more often: "He has the gold makes the rules!" I can just picture Mr. Rogers saying "Children, can you say participating preferred stock with an uncapped 3x liquidation preference and a full ratchet?"

Syndicate 28

Syndicate Syndication Cap Table Ratchet 28

thestartuplawyer.com

FEBRUARY 24, 2010

Contact The Startup Lawyer: Home Page About Contact FAQs Glossary Ryan Roberts Law: Home Page Social Networks: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Flickr Delicious Digg Last.FM He obviously never launched a startup and got shafted by a co-founder. He obviously never launched a startup and got shafted by a co-founder.

Cofounder 40

Cofounder Founder Preferred Stock Startup 40