Austin Startup
SEPTEMBER 10, 2017
TL;DR: Using a “tiered” valuation cap structure in a convertible note or SAFE can provide flexibility that bridges the gap between (i) what founders expect their company to be worth in the near future, and (ii) what investors are comfortable accepting now. Background Reading: The best seed round structure is the one that closes.
Both Sides of the Table
APRIL 3, 2010
Chris Dixon provided some commentary on Twitter that he believes I missed “the most important point about fund size.&# He’s specifically referring to his point of view that entrepreneurs shouldn’t take seed money from “big VC’s&# (he defines them as > $100 million). We took the $500k.
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www.paulgraham.com
APRIL 28, 2010
It wasnt because they werent accredited investors that I didntask my parents for seed money, though. When we were starting Viaweb,I didnt know about the concept of an accredited investor, anddidnt stop to think about the value of investors connections.The reason I didnt take money from my parents was that I didntwant them to lose it.
Both Sides of the Table
JANUARY 20, 2011
He’s struggling to raise money. People are raising in record times and with wacky valuations. His company had raised seed money already. I asked him what his valuation expectations were and he said he wasn’t fixated on that. If you’re struggling a bit on funding you might see 40% dilution.
www.paulgraham.com
OCTOBER 23, 2010
Because so little money is involved, raising seedcapital is comparatively easy-- at least in the sense of getting aquick yes or no. Usually you get seed money from individual rich people called"angels." the seed stage, investors dont expect you to have an elaboratebusiness plan. This is calledseed capital.
Version One Ventures
JANUARY 10, 2013
Raise too much and you’re diluting your ownership; raise too little and your company will have trouble gaining traction or making it to the next month. Target between 15-25% dilution per round I typically recommend that founders put more emphasis on the quality of investors (i.e. Take the money, but do it wisely.
Feld Thoughts
JULY 14, 2015
A company raises $1m of seed money from angels in a convertible note with a $6m cap. Assuming equity is raised at or above that cap, the total dilution, before the new money, is 16.6% (equivalent to an equity financing of $1m at a $6m post money valuation. Here’s the scenario. Sure – it happens.
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