Feld Thoughts

JUNE 10, 2022

She has a good article today in TechCrunch titled Embrace the down round (it’s going to be okay, maybe). ” Now, I’m not encouraging anyone to do a down round if unnecessary., ” Now, I’m not encouraging anyone to do a down round if unnecessary., and a bunch of other things.

Down Round 162

Down Round Ratchet Liquidation Preference Participating Preferred 162

VC Cafe

OCTOBER 31, 2022

Many companies are now having to resort to tough measures in order to stay afloat, including layoffs, down rounds and tough terms from current investors. If the answer is yes, then a down round is likely the best path forward. Why you shouldn’t worry about raising a down round ( source ).

Founder 173

Founder Technical Review Down Round Liquidation Preference 173

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. Then, if you end up doing a down round, it suddenly matters a lot. Don’t worry about this too much, until you do a down round.

Cap Table 70

Cap Table Down Round Liquidation Preference Founder 70

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

At an accelerator … Me: Raising convertible notes as a seed round is one of the biggest disservices our industry has done to entrepreneurs since 2001-2003 when there were “full ratchets” and “multiple liquidation preferences” – the most hostile terms anybody found in term sheets 10 years ago.

Venture Capital 417

Venture Capital Liquidation Preference Valuation Term Sheet 417

The Equity Kicker

NOVEMBER 20, 2015

I say that because investors in the $6bn round in Square have still made money on the deal. They had a ‘ratchet’ which repriced their investment in the event of a down round to give them a 20% return.

IPO 60

IPO Matching Ratchet Valuation 60

abovethecrowd.com

APRIL 20, 2016

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

IPO Term Sheet Silicon Valley Valuation 40

Gust

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

Me: Raising convertible notes as a seed round is one of the biggest disservices our industry has done to entrepreneurs since 2001-2003 when there were “full ratchets” and “multiple liquidation preferences” – the most hostile terms anybody found in term sheets 10 years ago. A down round? At an accelerator ….

Liquidation Preference 153

Liquidation Preference Valuation Term Sheet Stock 153