Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 25, 2010

When I first read Paul Graham’s blog post on “High Resolution&# Financing I read it as a treatise arguing that convertible notes are better than equity. As I’m generally a believer in ‘pricing rounds’ I initially didn’t agree with the premise of the post. Photo credit: D. and not a min.

Finance 286

Finance Term Sheet Technical Review Warrant 286

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 5, 2015

I am reminded of this problem every time my firm does a financing where a note went before us but more specifically I was reminded by this great post by Brad Feld to talk about the pre-money vs. post-money conversion issue. It’s worth reading his post to understand the problem. It’s very simple.

Pre-Money Valuation 150

Pre-Money Valuation Option Pool Post-Money Valuation Dilution 150

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

It’s like we need a finance 101 course for entrepreneurs. Me: There is no rational explanation for valuations of A round companies by ANY objective financial measure. 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. Truthfully.

Venture Capital 417

Venture Capital Liquidation Preference Valuation Term Sheet 417

Lightspeed Venture Partners

OCTOBER 7, 2012

As he said, “Great innovations solve problems or reduce costs. As Cuban pointed out, this is a “down round” Zomm is seeking $2M for 10% of the company, implying an $18M pre money valuation today. So the entrepreneur was willing to accept a valuation more than $10M lower than a previous valuation.

Technical Review 110

Technical Review Technical Cofounder Valuation Pre-Money Valuation 110

Berkonomics

MARCH 28, 2019

This is only a minor problem in that both forms can convert easily into ‘C’ corporations at low cost and little consequence. First: Is the price paid for shares by previous investors excessive, creating a post-money valuation too high for the actual value of the company? And what VC’s worry about.

Limited Liability Company 48

Limited Liability Company Post-Money Valuation Valuation Down Round 48

Feld Thoughts

FEBRUARY 9, 2016

One of my favorite lines in buried in the middle: “I’ve heard enough companies say “we simply can’t cut costs or it will hurt the long-term potential of the business” to get a wry smile. Pragmatic cost cuts are always possible and often productive.” But, as you raise more money at higher valuations, this will normalize.

Cap Table 70

Cap Table Down Round Liquidation Preference Founder 70

Gust

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

It’s like we need a finance 101 course for entrepreneurs. Me: There is no rational explanation for valuations of A round companies by ANY objective financial measure. 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. There were no metrics.

Liquidation Preference 153

Liquidation Preference Valuation Term Sheet Stock 153