I first wrote about Rule 409A back in September 2011.  Here is the post, which focused mostly on how 409A valuations are used for stock option purposes.  BTW, I continue to think that as applied to private companies 409A is a terrible rule.  And I think that early stage companies should take the risk and not use 409A valuations.  As companies move to later stages and have meaningful revenues and profits then 409A valuations begin to make more sense.

I would like to add another Rule 409A thought.  Here goes:  please do NOT think that the 409A valuation has any bearing or meaningful relationship to how a VC will value your company.   Said another way, a 409A valuation is meaningless to how VCs negotiate pre-money valuations for their investments.  The 409A valuation is not based in VC reality.  Sure, you might say that VCs have warped senses of reality.  I can understand that!  Regardless, don’t dig yourself any credibility holes by trying to use the 409A valuation as a negotiating tactic.

To repeat what I wrote in my earlier post, I think that 409A valuations routinely work to the detriment of employees.  Stock options prices for startups should be as low as possible.  The government would end up collecting more tax on successful exits and the employees should be delighted to pay more tax on their larger gains!

Thanks, and enjoy the weekend.