David Teten

AUGUST 19, 2019

So you’re interested in raising capital from a Revenue-Based Investor VC. A new wave of Revenue-Based Investors (“RBI”) are emerging. I’ve been a traditional equity VC for 8 years, and I’m now researching new business models in venture capital. Bigfoot Capital. Capital need of up to $1.5M

Revenue 60

Revenue Technical Review Software Review Equity 60

David Teten

MARCH 14, 2018

Managers of VC funds typically want to grow their business aggressively, just like the founders we back. But, we normally have a clear ceiling on how high we can grow AUM, before hitting practical limits to deploying capital within the traditional VC model. . – Launch a “ venture studio ” or “ foundry ”. (I’m

Private Equity 60

Private Equity Venture Capital Equity Cofounder 60

Steve Blank

APRIL 26, 2022

Except, that is, for the bottom feeders of the Venture Capital business – investors who “ cram down ” their companies. They offered desperate founders more cash but insisted on new terms, rewriting all the old stock agreements that previous investors and employees had. W hy would any founder agree to this? They’re Back.

Cram Down 404

Cram Down Founder Venture Capital Recapitalization 404

David Teten

JANUARY 19, 2021

More and more startups are pursuing Revenue-Based VCs , but “RBI” doesn’t fit everyone. From RBI, Flexible VCs borrow the ability to reap meaningful returns without demanding founders build for an exit. Flexible VC 101: Equity Meets Revenue Share. Where else can fast-growing companies get funding?

Cofounder 78

Cofounder Technical Review Equity Dividend 78

This is going to be BIG.

MAY 27, 2014

It was a company whose product I believed in and whose founder I liked, but a firm lobbed in a term sheet at a price 33% higher than what I had offered using a very light agreement meant for a much earlier stage company. Then, I read about the idiotic comments made by a co-founder of Rap Genius. Perhaps we all should. No, probably not.

Term Sheet 143

Term Sheet Founder Cofounder Software Review 143

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 28, 2018

There’s a quick litmus-test conversation any early-stage VC will have with the founder and it’s one that you should be as prepared for as your elevator pitch. Founder: “$8–10 million” VC: “What’s your current burn rate?” Founder: “$250k / month.” Founder: “Um. Why are you raising so much?” Let me check my plan.”

Burn Rate 247

Burn Rate Valuation Pre-Money Valuation Dilution 247

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

On the phone … Me: So, you raised venture capital? It’s like we need a finance 101 course for entrepreneurs. Revenue multiple? In finance they call it “terminal value” but the truth is the price is as arbitrary at your A round as it is at your seed round. We raised a seed round.

Venture Capital 417

Venture Capital Liquidation Preference Valuation Term Sheet 417

View from Seed

OCTOBER 24, 2019

As seed rounds have atomized, it’s not uncommon for founders to raise 3 or even 4 rounds prior to a series A. The reality is that if a founder raised every one of these rounds, and lead investors always got their “target” ownership, the level of dilution would be ridiculous. Founders with limited experience. should be avoided.

Dilution 149

Dilution B2B Burn Rate Early Stage 149

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 22, 2012

He also nails the reason why venture capital is still necessary to grow large businesses quickly in a world where the costs of running startups have fallen dramatically. “Why do founders want to take the VCs’ money? After all, growth equals high valuations and loads of venture capital! Growth, again.

Silicon Valley 390

Silicon Valley Venture Capital Startup Technical Review 390

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 24, 2011

I just read the Q1 2011 report from CB Insights , which shows venture capital is back. billion to work across 738 financing deals with U.S. Your friends and family are really the only answer until you have a significant revenue stream. Back to VCs, Silicon Valley venture capital firms are still the most active.

Venture Capital 233

Venture Capital Revenue Elevator Pitch Silicon Valley 233

ReadWriteStart

OCTOBER 2, 2021

Why should a founder entertain this idea? And even though an LLC is legally required to report its revenues, profits, and losses, it does not have to pay corporate income taxes on profits. Lower tax rates allow an LLC to be more flexible with finances. Many founders do like to retain significant control over their business.

Technical Review 158

Technical Review LLC IPO Stock 158

David Teten

MARCH 8, 2021

Keith Harrington of Novel Growth Partners and Founder, Revenue-Based Finance Network , just posted the recording of an interview with me on revenue-based investing ; flexible VC ; and their future. If this was helpful to you, please sign up for my newsletter.

Revenue 78

Revenue Finance Video Partner 78

YoungUpstarts

JUNE 26, 2020

If you are building a startup, you’ll find no shortage of people who are willing to give you advice, particularly when it comes to raising financing. For some entrepreneurs, raising financing can seem like a full time job, particularly in these trying times. He is also a venture partner at several VC firms. Who is in your tribe?

Finance 205

Finance Silicon Valley Valuation Startup 205

ReadWriteStart

OCTOBER 2, 2021

Why should a founder entertain this idea? And even though an LLC is legally required to report its revenues, profits, and losses, it does not have to pay corporate income taxes on profits. Lower tax rates allow an LLC to be more flexible with finances. Many founders do like to retain significant control over their business.

Technical Review 78

Technical Review LLC IPO Stock 78

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 26, 2016

The key to being able to run a business that isn’t yet profitable (on operating margin) is availability of capital to finance losses and preferably at a cost that isn’t too punitive to the founders and employees. In SaaS (or any recurring revenue business) this is also a very difficult task.

Metrics 150

Metrics Cost Acquisition Startup 150

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 28, 2018

My friend Michael Broukhim, founder & co-CEO of FabFitFun and I recently had a catch-up meeting for 3-miles on the Santa Monica “Bird Trail” No company has ever elicited so many questions by friends, colleagues, entrepreneurs, fellow VCs and journalists as has Bird, the company that pioneered the electronic scooter as a service market.

San Francisco 256

San Francisco Valuation Technical Review Los Angeles 256

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 12, 2017

Many of these companies are pre-revenue and in the cash burn stage as they try to establish their technology and market. When investors believe in the founders, products, or ideas they will provide companies with funding. However, as a condition of financing they may require annual audited financial statements.

San Francisco 133

San Francisco Forecast Early Stage Term Sheet 133

YoungUpstarts

NOVEMBER 27, 2018

by Emmanuel de Watteville, co-founder of Blue Ocean Ventures. When anyone considers their own option to invest in a growing project or venture, they immediately think of the financial risks that come with such a business endeavor. It’s essential to dissect marketing and monetization strategies together.

Early Stage 160

Early Stage Cofounder Startup Security 160

View from Seed

JANUARY 27, 2021

100M is a meaningful increase from our $50M third fund, though it’s still quite small in the grand scheme of venture, especially amid the recent wave of late stage financings and SPACs. What hasn’t changed is that our heart lies in working with founders to find product/market fit and to begin to grow.

LP 411

LP Early Stage Seed Stage Venture Capital 411

David Teten

FEBRUARY 16, 2021

Keith Harrington of Novel Growth Partners and Founder, RBFNetwork , is hosting an interview with me February 23rd at 1pm ET. Register NOW.

Revenue 78

Revenue Finance Hosting Partner 78

Up and Running

AUGUST 18, 2014

In comparison to traditional business ventures, startups are expected to grow rapidly, at a rate of between 5% and 7% per week in their initial stage – Paul Graham, co-founder of Y Combinator. Startups have some unique struggles, especially in regard to financing. Key difference #2 – the relationship with funding.

Small Business 154

Small Business Exit Strategy Cofounder Angel Investor 154

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 1, 2020

The primary source of your funds should be your paying customers, i.e., your business should generate enough revenues and profits to fund the growth and expansion. These usually play a role in the very early stage of your business, primarily pre-revenue. Reasons for funding. ? Incubators and Accelerators. Government programs.

Startup 150

Startup Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Seed Stage 150

This is going to be BIG.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

How else can you explain this headline matching a story about a professional social network still trying to explore revenues raising $17mm on an $80mm valuation? Did I mention it only took the founder a month? venture capitalists are now asking tougher questions about start-ups' revenue and profits.". Is this an opinion?

Venture Capital 114

Venture Capital Marketing Term Sheet Software Review 114

Up and Running

JUNE 19, 2013

The New York Times profiles two successful tech start-ups— GoodData , which at its start raised more than $50 million in venture capital funding, and RJ Metrics, which held out with self-financing for as long as possible—that went after the same market at the same time, and contrasts their approaches to finance.

Venture Capital 70

Venture Capital Finance Lean New York 70

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 22, 2011

I recently spoke at the Founder Showcase at the request of Adeo Ressi. I said that at the Founder Showcase, too. Ah, but today’s Internet companies have real revenue! In any given year there are about 50 venture-backed companies or so that are bought for $100 million or more. and profits! Have a cushion.

Saudi Arabia 309

Saudi Arabia Valuation IPO Technical Review 309

David Teten

AUGUST 21, 2019

Most founders who are raising capital look first to traditional equity VCs. Or should they look to one of the new wave of Revenue-Based Investors? Revenue-Based Investing (“RBI”) is a new form of VC financing, distinct from the preferred equity structure most VCs use. But should they? Less or no dilution.

Revenue 60

Revenue Liquidation Preference Equity Cofounder 60

Up and Running

JULY 25, 2017

Most interesting is that first financings—or the number of startups that raised money for the first time from investors—is up about 25 percent, which bodes well for fledgling businesses seeking funding. Startups Going for Loans Rather Than Venture Capital.

Technical Review 92

Technical Review Due Diligence America Small Business 92

Hunter Walker

MARCH 15, 2018

While reading Brotopia, we were also helping theSkimm finish up their new financing , with Google Ventures and Spanx founder Sara Blakely joining the cap table. Over the past five years, I’ve witnessed theSkimm be underestimated by the venture capital industry, by pundits and press.

Technical Review 71

Technical Review Cap Table Venture Capital Finance 71

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 6, 2014

When you first start your company and raise initial venture capital your board probably consists of 1-3 founders and 1-2 VCs. Most experienced VCs won’t push you to give up founder control at this stage of the business nor should they. Founder’s perspective. In the Early Days. You’ll get empathy.

Technical Review 325

Technical Review Early Stage Software Review Los Angeles 325

Version One Ventures

JULY 22, 2014

AngelList makes it easier for founders to reach angels and there are hundreds of accelerators and incubators to choose from. Any entrepreneur trying to navigate the financing landscape should be aware of the over-abundance of angel money compared with subsequent rounds. You need to assess early on if your business is venture-fundable.

Finance 167

Finance Seed Money Bootstrapping Angel Investor 167

David Teten

AUGUST 7, 2019

Likely signs of a Value investment: the company has challenges in filling out the round; the investors have more negotiating leverage than the founders during the closing process; the company has significantly better metrics (e.g. LTV / CAC, revenue growth, etc.) Requires less analysis. But VC is historically and consistently cyclical.

Venture Capital 60

Venture Capital Valuation Stock NDA 60

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 5, 2015

I challenge any entrepreneur, for example, to define the difference between "seed-stage" and "early-stage" financing. Asking for early-stage money before you have customers and revenue will likely kill your credibility with real investors. A micro venture capital firm.

Seed Stage 120

Seed Stage Finance Early Stage Startup 120

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 14, 2010

If you want to raise venture capital more easily the advice could be quite practical and counter-intuitive. Many companies that are raising B or C venture capital rounds right now raised their initial money in 2005-2008. management, founders, angel investors) get any money. It is 2010. But pass they will.

Venture Capital 289

Venture Capital Liquidation Preference Common Stock Dividend 289

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 16, 2010

One is the “denominator problem&# which says that if an LP invests X% (the denominator) into “alternative investments&# such as venture capital and if their total amount available to invest (the numerator) goes down by 30% then the amount they allocate to VC will by definition need to go down by 30% to stay the same percentage.

LP 311

LP Technical Review Early Stage Silicon Valley 311

K9 Ventures

JUNE 12, 2012

While it it may not feel that way, the data suggest that there is indeed too much capital in the system — especially so at the seed stage, with more and more individuals and larger funds trying to invest in companies at this stage.). For most venture capital funds money is a commodity. It is a tool.

Venture Capital 117

Venture Capital Silicon Valley Founder Seed Stage 117

The Startup Magazine

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021

In a statement, co-founder and CEO Zeev Farbman said that “Through all of our diverse creativity apps, we are planning to continue to pioneer industry-first technology and provide all users with the tools and capabilities they need to express themselves and achieve their creative goals. Startup Journey. Platform and Scaling Vision.

Private Equity 144

Private Equity Developer Venture Capital Merger 144

K9 Ventures

SEPTEMBER 24, 2009

In the past few days there has been a lot of discussion on the topic of a Founders Visa. The credit for starting this fire goes to Paul Graham from Y Combinator , who wrote a great essay titled The Founders Visa in April 2009. As an immigrant founder, this is a topic that I can relate to and care about.

United States 114

United States Founder India Venture Capital 114