Scott Edward Walker

APRIL 22, 2012

This post is the second part of a three-part primer on convertible note seed financings. Part 1, entitled “ Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Convertible Note Seed Financings (But Were Afraid To Ask) ,” addressed certain basic questions, such as (i) what is a convertible note? (ii) What Is a Conversion Discount?

Pre-Money Valuation 72

Pre-Money Valuation Finance Liquidation Preference Founder 72

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2010

As the company grows and the second or third group of investors comes in, the terms of each subsequent financing grow in size, scope, and the number of lawyers’ fingerprints on them. The price is the percent of ownership given to the investor, calculated as “investment/post-money valuation.” Liquidation preference.

Term Sheet 227

Term Sheet Pre-Money Valuation Due Diligence Post-Money Valuation 227

ithacaVC

DECEMBER 14, 2011

Continuing with the “No Mess” theme of commenting on things that give VCs pause, I thought it would be good to touch on liquidation preference. Specifically, “too much” liquidation preference (I will use “LP” for liquidation preference). Ok, enough of the background.

Liquidation Preference 49

Liquidation Preference LP Preferred Stock Liquidity Event 49

Gust

OCTOBER 17, 2011

As the company grows and the second or third group of investors comes in, the terms of each subsequent financing grow in size, scope, and the number of lawyers’ fingerprints on them. The price is the percent of ownership given to the investor, calculated as “investment/post-money valuation.” Liquidation preference.

Term Sheet 158

Term Sheet Pre-Money Valuation Due Diligence Post-Money Valuation 158

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 14, 2010

That means that the likely have a minimum of $15 million in liquidation preferences. It will usually be higher because the liquidation preference has a dividend so if the deal is long in the tooth assume that the liquidation preference might be $20-22 million. Take liquidation preferences head on.

Venture Capital 289

Venture Capital Liquidation Preference Common Stock Dividend 289

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

To better understand the arguments for / against convertible equity I suggest you read my posts on those topics: Is convertible debt preferable to equity? Was Paul Graham right in his “high resolution” financing post? Some thoughts on raising angel money. I want to use investor money to build these things.

Ratchet 354

Ratchet Liquidation Preference Equity Stock 354

ithacaVC

DECEMBER 13, 2013

There are many reasons for this, but fundamentally, it is impossible to calculate a share price for the investment round unless you have complete agreement on how many shares are outstanding pre-money. The share price is calculated by taking the pre-money valuation and dividing it by the number of shares outstanding pre-money.

Cap Table 67

Cap Table Pre-Money Valuation Option Pool Liquidation Preference 67

ithacaVC

APRIL 25, 2014

This cap table can be used by a pre-funded startup and then a financing can be layered in. In other words, it shows both pre-money and post-money very clearly. For example, cell E2 is the spot to put in the negotiated pre-money valuation. Here are things to note: 1.

Cap Table 79

Cap Table Preferred Stock Pre-Money Valuation Liquidation Preference 79

Scott Edward Walker

APRIL 9, 2012

Introduction We are in the golden age of seed financing. Venture capital funds, seed funds, super angels, angel groups, incubators, and “friends and family” are all playing the seed financing game and investing early in startups in an attempt to land the next Facebook. and (iii) what are the advantages of issuing convertible notes?

Preferred Stock 87

Preferred Stock Finance Common Stock Liquidation Preference 87

www.mattbartus.com

DECEMBER 9, 2012

How to pump up your VC valuation. Let’s say you receive a term sheet for a $1 million investment at a $3 million fully diluted pre-money valuation, and you’re kind of disappointed. Take a look at the numbers: Pre-Money. One possibility is to negotiate a higher valuation and offer warrants (i.e.,

Warrant 40

Warrant Valuation Pre-Money Valuation Term Sheet 40

K9 Ventures

MARCH 23, 2011

The convertible note was really intended as an instrument for a “bridge financing” – when an equity round was imminent, and likely to occur, but the company needed some money in between. In that case, it made good sense to have a debt instrument, where the note holder then converted into equity when the financing occurred.

Pre-Money Valuation 132

Pre-Money Valuation Valuation Equity Liquidation Preference 132

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

It has both a “full rachet” and “multiple liquidation preferences.” But Paul Graham really did have a point in his “ high resolution fundraising ” post – that there is a problem – particularly in angel financing – with herding cats. million pre-money.

Pre-Money Valuation 294

Pre-Money Valuation Finance Liquidation Preference Warrant 294

thestartuplawyer.com

FEBRUARY 24, 2010

About the Author Ryan Roberts is a startup lawyer and represents technology companies through all phases of the startup process, including incorporation, seed & venture financings, and exit transactions. He obviously never launched a startup and got shafted by a co-founder. Click here to learn more about his practice.

Cofounder 40

Cofounder Founder Preferred Stock Startup 40

dondodge.typepad.com

JANUARY 15, 2011

Both the entrepreneur and the investor have much higher expectations than just "even money" on their bet. The entrepreneur expects the company to be worth many times this valuation and so does the investor. The key is to have several VCs or investors competing for the deal to arrive at a "fair" valuation.

Equity 40

Equity Employee Dilution Valuation 40

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. So they recapitalize the company. Sure – it happens.

Recapitalization 70

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