Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

They are professionals with full-time jobs, who often don’t have time for due diligence (and may not even know how to do it) and often make decisions through trusted referrals or based on gut feelings (more on gut feelings later). Stock Option. So, who are these unlikely angels? Go for the gut. What does that mean?

Angel Investor 159

Angel Investor Technical Review Software Review Accredited Investor 159

David Teten

AUGUST 1, 2019

I compiled the best resources I found here: Due Diligence as a Team Member. Here’s how to do your due diligence first. Due Diligence as an Investor. Due Diligence as a Board Member. Due Diligence as a Board Member. Diligent.com’s Due Diligence Checklist for a Board of Directors.

Private Equity 60

Private Equity Equity Due Diligence Portfolio 60

David Teten

SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

This is relevant for any job offer, but I’m particularly focused on offers to C-level executives and board members: Due Diligence as a Team Member. Here’s how to do your due diligence first. Due Diligence as an Investor. Due Diligence as a Board Member. Due Diligence as a Board Member.

Due Diligence 60

Due Diligence Stock Options Covenant Private Equity 60

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 19, 2018

Your historical trading information including financials and a “customer file” which shows the history of your transactions so that investors can run “cohort” analyses Customer reference, personal references, key team members, compensation, cap table, stock option plan, etc.

Cap Table 336

Cap Table Due Diligence Forecast Churn Rate 336

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2011

As an employee, you salary will likely be low, your job security low, so the job title better be large, and the stock options better be large. They should be asking to speak to you if you are a potential investor or a superstar hire. If you are a potential employee, you need to do the same due diligence before you sign on.

Due Diligence 237

Due Diligence Sweat Equity Intellectual Property Entrepreneur 237

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 20, 2010

As an employee, you salary will likely be low, your job security low, so the job title better be large, and the stock options better be large. They should be asking to speak to you if you are a potential investor or a superstar hire. If you are a potential employee, you need to do the same due diligence before you sign on.

Due Diligence 229

Due Diligence Sweat Equity Intellectual Property Startup 229

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 2, 2012

As an employee, you salary will likely be low, your job security low, so the job title better be large, and the stock options better be large. They should be asking to speak to you if you are a potential investor or a superstar hire. If you are a potential employee, you need to do the same due diligence before you sign on.

Due Diligence 244

Due Diligence Sweat Equity Burn Rate Intellectual Property 244

ithacaVC

DECEMBER 13, 2013

They are typically pretty simple: (i) shares owned by founders and (ii) shares authorized for issuance in a stock option pool, some of which may be issued to employees already and some of which will be available for future issuance. Well, that is really up to Founder X and Founder Y.

Cap Table 67

Cap Table Pre-Money Valuation Option Pool Liquidation Preference 67

infochachkie.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

At the early stages of your company’s life, you cannot rely on disinterested, hired guns to define your company’s key tasks. The final straw came when I asked the latest 25-year old a simple ‘yes / no’ question related to stock options. What would be the best way to get results without hiring a consultant from Silicon Valley?

Equity 40

Equity Silicon Valley Cofounder Technical Review 40

www.paulgraham.com

APRIL 28, 2010

Ifyour competitors offer employees stock options that might make themrich, while you make it clear you plan to stay private, yourcompetitors will get the best people. Now the group is looking for moremoney: they want enough to last for a year, and maybe to hire acouple friends. They find somejust as the prototype is demoable.

Technical Review 76

Technical Review Startup Software Review Angel Investor 76