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Want to Know How VC’s Calculate Valuation Differently from Founders?

Both Sides of the Table

Back in 1999 when I first raised venture capital I had zero knowledge of what a fair term sheet looked like or how to value my company. Due to competitive markets we ended up with a pretty good term sheet until we needed to raise money in April 2001 and then we got completely screwed. No hidden terms.

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One Book Every Entrepreneur and VC Should Own

Both Sides of the Table

When I first started as a startup CEO in 1999 there were no guides on raising venture capital. There were no explanations for all of the confusing details outlined in a term sheet. He gave me the human explanation for what the term meant. Or what “participating preferred&# stock is and how it can screw you.

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How do the sample Series Seed financing documents differ from typical Series A financing documents?

Startup Company Lawyer

Founders Institute Plain Preferred Term Sheet (by WSGR – disclaimer, I represent the Founders Institute and was involved in drafting this document). If you don’t, please educate yourself on this site, Venture Hacks and the term sheet series by Brad Feld/Jason Mendelson, among other places.

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WHAT ARE SUPER PRO RATA RIGHTS?

Scott Edward Walker

Over the past few weeks, two of my clients have received financing term sheets in which the investors requested super pro rata rights. Introduction. Accordingly, I thought it would be helpful for founders to discuss these rights and to point out the problems they create for startups. Pro Rata Rights.

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Pari Passu or F.U.little guy

Professor VC

Mike Markkula presenting Steve Jobs with first investment in Apple I recently watched an excellent documentary on PBS, Something Ventured: Risk, Reward, and the Original Venture Capitalists. An entrepreneur received two Series A term sheets, one lead by an international investor and the other from SH.

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Should Founders Be Allowed to Take Money off the Table?

Both Sides of the Table

I took money with a 3x participating preferred liquidation preference with 8% compounded interest annually. Coupled with my participating preferred from 1999 and 2000 I had more than $55 million of liquidation preferences. Many term sheets ensued. I know because I’ve been there.

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Venture Deals 4e German Edition

Feld Thoughts

In the USA, the conversion right ensures that holders of preferred shares are not disadvantaged compared to holders of common shares; in Germany, this legal consequence must result directly from the structure of the preferred shares. The post Venture Deals 4e German Edition appeared first on Brad Feld.

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