Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 5, 2011

2: As expected at least one person accused me of writing this post because I want to see lower valuations. As the risks below get eliminated the higher the valuation investors are prepared to pay. So rounds tend to be “range bound&# where the top end of the valuation spectrum often being done in boom markets (i.e.

Pre-Money Valuation 336

Pre-Money Valuation Valuation Silicon Valley Stock 336

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

Him: But when I raised my first round we didn’t know how to price the company. There were no metrics. How will you price the next round? Your A round? Him: On metrics. Me: There is no rational explanation for valuations of A round companies by ANY objective financial measure. A down round?

Venture Capital 417

Venture Capital Liquidation Preference Valuation Term Sheet 417

Gust

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

Him: But when I raised my first round we didn’t know how to price the company. There were no metrics. How will you price the next round? Your A round? Him: On metrics. Me: There is no rational explanation for valuations of A round companies by ANY objective financial measure. A down round?

Liquidation Preference 153

Liquidation Preference Valuation Term Sheet Stock 153

Feld Thoughts

APRIL 21, 2016

Also, they have a strong belief that any sign of weakness (such as a down round) will have a catastrophic impact on their culture, hiring process, and ability to retain employees. Their own ego is also a factor – will a down round signal weakness?

Marketing 70

Marketing Down Round Startup IRR 70

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. than comparable companies in the same sector that raised at a higher valuation. Why, yes, they are.

Venture Capital 60

Venture Capital Valuation Stock NDA 60

Feld Thoughts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2015

Some will demonstrate strategically justifiable metrics and have fantastic ‘up round’ exits; others may see liquidation preferences kick in which will negatively impact founders and employees; others may fulfill the adage “IPO is the new down round” , which has been the case for more than half of the public companies on our list. “We

Liquidation Preference 70

Liquidation Preference Burn Rate Balance Sheet .Net 70

Rob Go

JUNE 1, 2016

We’ve been in a period of unnatural financings, both in terms of valuation and the amount of capital that has gone into companies relatively early in their life. Where I think funds do start having hard conversations around follow-ons is when they need to lead inside rounds or protect themselves in down rounds.

Term Sheet 28

Term Sheet Portfolio Valuation Warrant 28