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Why Startups Should Raise Money at the Top End of Normal

Both Sides of the Table

The earlier you invest the higher the chances the company won’t work out and thus you pay a lower price than later-stage investors. Another firm we saw tried to raise $15 million at a $60 million pre-money with similar metrics. So how exactly are prices determined? There is no great science to it. Here’s the problem.

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Unicorpse

Feld Thoughts

Some will demonstrate strategically justifiable metrics and have fantastic ‘up round’ exits; others may see liquidation preferences kick in which will negatively impact founders and employees; others may fulfill the adage “IPO is the new down round” , which has been the case for more than half of the public companies on our list. .”

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On the Road to Recap:

abovethecrowd.com

Also, they have a strong belief that any sign of weakness (such as a down round) will have a catastrophic impact on their culture, hiring process, and ability to retain employees. Their own ego is also a factor – will a down round signal weakness? A down round is nothing. Get over it and move on.

IPO 40
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To Follow On or Not to Follow On

This is going to be BIG.

There are a lot of people that artificially group together performance metrics for venture, and try to extrapolate successful stratagies from it. Here are the top things I hear about follow ons and why they don't make a lot of sense to me: 1) You need to have follow on capital to protect your investments in case of a down round.