Both Sides of the Table

MAY 13, 2013

For the past 5 years or so Google, Facebook and a handful of tech industry giants have been quietly buying scores of early-stage startups for their talent. Many buying companies price these deals on the basis of $1 million per engineer on the team for an early-stage deal. Let’s assume $2 million in seed money.

Liquidation Preference 357

Liquidation Preference Early Stage Retention Lock-up Period 357

ReadWriteStart

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

The world of startups is a bit like a gold rush right now: there’s lots of money to be made, almost no rules regarding who will make or lose it, and only a few will actually see a sustained profit at the end of the day. How can either of you confidently give a valuation of a business that doesn’t make money?

Startup 130

Startup Revenue Cofounder Angel Investor 130

ReadWriteStart

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

The world of startups is a bit like a gold rush right now: there’s lots of money to be made, almost no rules regarding who will make or lose it, and only a few will actually see a sustained profit at the end of the day. How can either of you confidently give a valuation of a business that doesn’t make money?

Startup 78

Startup Revenue Cofounder Angel Investor 78

www.businessinsider.com

SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

This Chart Shows Why VCs Are Willing To Give Hyped Startups Absurd Valuations. Parse, one of the most-anticipated startups in Silicon Valley these days , went through Y Combinator last year and raised seed money from Google Ventures , for example. But the convertible cap has increasingly been used as a guide for valuation.

Silicon Valley 54

Silicon Valley Startup Valuation Venture Capital 54

Feld Thoughts

JULY 14, 2015

A company raises $1m of seed money from angels in a convertible note with a $6m cap. Assuming equity is raised at or above that cap, the total dilution, before the new money, is 16.6% (equivalent to an equity financing of $1m at a $6m post money valuation. Here’s the scenario. Sure – it happens.

Recapitalization 70

Recapitalization Pre-Money Valuation Post-Money Valuation Angel Investor 70

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 6, 2015

I was out to raise my first seed money in my second startup of $500,000. We went through the history of Fab, where Jeff was an early investor, and discussed many of the challenges they faced specifically by having too much money. It is, of course, a very recent phenomenon.

Seed Stage 150

Seed Stage Silicon Valley Syndicate Syndication 150

Gust

SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

So, if I were just going to buy stock in your company today, we would agree on a valuation today, I’d give you the money today, you’d give me the appropriate percentage of the company’s stock, and we’d be all set. But that’s NOT what we’re doing.

Valuation 117

Valuation Equity Stock Angel Investor 117

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 3, 2010

Chris Dixon provided some commentary on Twitter that he believes I missed “the most important point about fund size.&# He’s specifically referring to his point of view that entrepreneurs shouldn’t take seed money from “big VC’s&# (he defines them as > $100 million). I’m sure this happens, too.

Venture Capital 265

Venture Capital Term Sheet Early Stage Silicon Valley 265

Berkonomics

OCTOBER 15, 2015

There’s a common expectation among entrepreneurs that seed money from family is great – letting close relatives in at the ground floor. Don’t talk yourself into a high valuation for the first round of financing for any reason , even if your hair is on fire and the idea is worth billions.

Valuation 48

Valuation Startup Seed Money Early Stage 48

This is going to be BIG.

MARCH 23, 2015

So whereas seed rounds five years ago may have been less than a million dollars on a pre-money valuation of three or four million, today''s seed is up and over a million and usually closer to two million, with post money valuations nearing $10 million. in seed money instead of $1.5M

Post-Money Valuation 60

Post-Money Valuation Valuation Pre-Money Valuation Seed Money 60

www.paulgraham.com

APRIL 28, 2010

It wasnt because they werent accredited investors that I didntask my parents for seed money, though. When we were starting Viaweb,I didnt know about the concept of an accredited investor, anddidnt stop to think about the value of investors connections.The reason I didnt take money from my parents was that I didntwant them to lose it.

Technical Review 76

Technical Review Startup Software Review Angel Investor 76

andrewchen.co

AUGUST 20, 2012

My theory is, we’re currently in a golden age for early stage startups, and the early stage market will stay hot for at least the next 3-5 years. My reasoning looks something like this: Right now, startups with strong teams can easily raise seed funding ($200-$1.5M Tell me in the comments. Like this post?

Seed Stage 51

Seed Stage Early Stage Mobile Seed Money 51

pandodaily.com

NOVEMBER 29, 2012

But wherever you stand on that, there’s one very real consequence of this explosion in seed funding: There has not been a corresponding explosion in investors willing to lead the next round, the so-called Series A. This time around, there has been an explosion at the early stages, and the very late pre-IPO growth stages.

Technical Review 93

Technical Review Silicon Valley Incubator Syria 93

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 1, 2010

I’ve written about it myself (Is VC Seed Funding Dead?) and (Is There Really a Signaling Problem with VC Seed Funding?). There is a structural reason that VCs are investing at early stages, 2. Short summary of my posts: 1. Obviously this “half the round&# offer has limits.

Post-Money Valuation 298

Post-Money Valuation Term Sheet Warrant Partner 298

www.paulgraham.com

OCTOBER 23, 2010

Because so little money is involved, raising seedcapital is comparatively easy-- at least in the sense of getting aquick yes or no. Usually you get seed money from individual rich people called"angels." the seed stage, investors dont expect you to have an elaboratebusiness plan. This is calledseed capital.

Startup 105

Startup Cofounder Software Stock 105

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 9, 2013

If you’re a venture-backed tech company or even an early-stage business fueled by angel or seed money I assume you have a good group of board members or advisors who will give you time to be helpful and they want to be helpful. should we cut staff early since our revenue isn’t growing?

Advisory Board 337

Advisory Board Valuation Stock Options Seed Money 337

This is going to be BIG.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2012

In the late 90's, it wasn't surprising that companies with no revenue that were funded at 100 million dollar valuations didn't survive. I think I'm terrific at helping early stage teams by rolling up my sleeves and doing what's necessary--getting them hires, PR, product strategy help to find that market fit. Down from what?

Later Stage 99

Later Stage Down Round Pre-Money Valuation Early Stage 99