Steve Blank

APRIL 26, 2022

Cram downs are back – and I’m keeping a list. At the turn of the century after the dotcom crash, startup valuations plummeted, burn rates were unsustainable, and startups were quickly running out of cash. For existing investors, sometimes it was a “pay-to-play” i.e. if you don’t participate in the new financing you lose.

Cram Down 404

Cram Down Founder Venture Capital Recapitalization 404

Feld Thoughts

FEBRUARY 9, 2016

I’ve seen every imaginable type of liquidation preference structure, pay-to-play dynamic, preferred return, ratchet, share/option bonus, option repricing, and carveout. But, as you raise more money at higher valuations, this will normalize. Then, if you end up doing a down round, it suddenly matters a lot.

Cap Table 70

Cap Table Down Round Liquidation Preference Founder 70

Hunter Walker

AUGUST 8, 2023

At the time, this is last quarter and the stock market has trended upwards nicely since then (a potential leading indicator of private tech valuations), we all agreed venture portfolios were probably still 25-40% overvalued. Valuations. Restructures, Down Rounds, and Pay to Plays.

Portfolio 98

Portfolio Cap Table LP Valuation 98

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 14, 2016

I have been talking about my concerns about valuations for the past couple of years because, well, they’ve been rising very rapidly the past two years! ” “Mark has a vested interest in talking down valuations of startups.” Do Investors WANT Valuations to Drop? The Motive for Speaking Up.

Valuation 150

Valuation Down Round Startup Later Stage 150