YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 16, 2015

What’s critical for entrepreneurs to understand is that valuations for startups do not increase at a linear rate; they increase geometrically based on achieving the right milestones. The best entrepreneurs raise enough money to achieve a set of interim milestones and then raise capital again at a significantly increased valuation.

Valuation 100

Valuation Dilution Chicago Technical Review 100

Steve Blank

MARCH 17, 2020

If you’re an early stage company, that number may be zero. What are the new financial metrics? They triage their deals – first worrying about liquidity of their late stage deals which have the highest valuations. If they pull back, there will be a liquidity crunch for later stage startups (Series B, C…).

Burn Rate 436

Burn Rate Startup Valuation Sales Cycle 436

Gust

JULY 23, 2014

So even if my own mother asked me to meet with you, and you were pitching me a biotech opportunity for a $10 million investment at a $90 million valuation, I might take the meeting, but it wouldn’t be particularly useful for either of us. It’s generally proven amazingly useful to everyone involved.).

Angel Investor 153

Angel Investor Elevator Pitch Pre-Money Valuation Technical Review 153

K9 Ventures

JUNE 5, 2015

There were massive late stage rounds because all the big funds wanted companies which already had traction. Low supply of companies with traction drove the valuations and deal sizes up. Seed stage was super tough. Valuations are rising to match. The risk here is what I refer to as the curse of over-capitalization.

Seed Stage 48

Seed Stage Venture Capital Early Stage Valuation 48

Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 5, 2009

Unfortunately in early stage startups the drive for financing hijacks the corporate DNA and becomes the raison d’etre of the company. What are Early Stage VC’s Really Asking? Chasing funding versus chasing customers and a repeatable and scalable business model, is one reason startups fail. Did the VC’s like your team ?

Customer Development 264

Customer Development Developer Customer Silicon Valley 264

Steve Blank

FEBRUARY 26, 2020

What most founders don’t realize is: Every stage of a startup requires a different set of metrics and milestones and founder skills. For startups the early stage funding landscape looks like this: Step 1: The Pre-seed round – you raise $100-$750K. What is some of the critical metrics that matter? 2M in 18 months.

Cofounder 429

Cofounder Seed Stage Valuation Metrics 429

Austin Startup

MAY 19, 2018

 —  @birsic So without further ado, here are my thoughts on some dos and don’ts for early stage investors. Do your research & apply your thesis early The number of emails I got from eager VCs who want to chat and hear about our company was staggering. Wonder why that is ??

Founder 75

Founder Early Stage Software Review Deal Flow 75