Trying to understand how "Participating Preferred" works? Still one of our best posts >> capgenius.com/2021/07/23/par…

One of our favorite #VCs to follow is @jmkaufenberg from @rallyvc - Not many founders have gone from Zero to > $130 mil ARR as the CEO and very few of those share their insights and experiences so openly and without ego. Well worth a follow!

Done!

Most VCs we know hate venture debt at the early stages but support getting a line in place in case it needs to be used to extend runway. Current terms with no MAC clauses, etc. make it more attractive today although offset by equity valuations being thru the roof.

At later stages debt can make a LOT of sense for a start-up, especially pre-IPO as you can virtually eliminate dilution (rem: most venture debt has an equity component). Also depends on equity valuations, which in the current market make debt less compelling.

The other challenge for calculating WACC for venture-backed startups is that they are losing money which adds another risk factor to debt, especially early-on. The real challenge is that you cannot easily calc Re because it is not easy to tie to assets that generate value. (1/2)

Investors are “Entrepreneur Friendly” when they work with founders, bring significant value to the table and understand their role. Unfortunately, EVERY investor pitches themselves this way. Do your diligence on potential investors, they'll be doing it on you.

This is an absolutely FANTASTIC article.

Part Two: Love what you are doing at Tractor and wish there were more firms with a similar approach.

Caveat that this video IS relevant to what you are doing at Tractor but irrelevant to most VC backed startups. WACC is a meaningless tool for them b/c "Re" is impossible to accurately calculate for a start-up not purchasing real assets. Plus that dude is no @salkhanacademy.

Way too many #startup founders get advice from "experts" who have NO place giving advice to startup founders. Seek out and listen to people who truly have experience helping turn startups into big successful companies. When you find someone like this, listen carefully.

Our next post at capgenius.com will be on stock splits, with a specific focus reverse stock splits prior to an #IPO and why as an employee with #stockoptions you should be comfortable with this process and recognize that it has ZERO impact on you.

Seed Financing, SAFE or Convertible Note. What is the best financing structure for your #startup financing? We have an opinion (Seed Financing) but understand why this is not the only answer. Want to learn more? capgenius.com/2021/08/09/see…

A lot of times the founders think they are talking with experts who are anything but. Plenty of successful business people think their experience extends to tech startups, it often does not. Look at "Advisors" listed for local accelerators in many midwest towns for proof of this.

And as you know, there are often opportunities to help the founder clean up the cap table as part of an early round, especially as the non-aligned folks usually lack the capital to keep things rolling. That said, selling 15% for $20k is a simple reason to just pass....

We constantly get questions from founders outside of Silicon Valley/Other hotspots about this sort of thing and are amazed by how often local 'experts' (usually business leaders in non-tech) give horrible advice. Pls use your expertise to explain the issues before you pass.

Participating Preferred Stock explained in excruciating (and necessary) detail. If you are starting a company or are getting ready to raise capital for one, read this post and know the content. It will help you succeed.... capgenius.com/2021/07/23/par…

Getting the #409a valuation process right will help your #startup recruit top talent and make your (and your board's) life MUCH easier. Simple to do if you have the right approach > capgenius.com/2021/08/27/are…

A cooking pan. The best damn cooking pan any of us have ever, ever owned. Honestly, an EPIC cooking pan. Beats every single drone and electric skateboard anyone ever handed over.