Topic
Practical education for founders navigating fundraising, equity, and startup finance.
32 pieces of content
32 articles
A startup offer is more than salary and options. Here's a framework for evaluating total compensation, valuing equity realistically, and comparing startup offers to big tech packages.
A startup offer is more than salary and options. Here's a framework for evaluating total compensation, valuing equity realistically, and comparing startup offers to big tech packages.
Your "1% ownership" might actually be 0.6% on a fully diluted basis. Here's what fully diluted means, how option pools dilute everyone, and how to calculate your real ownership.
Your "1% ownership" might actually be 0.6% on a fully diluted basis. Here's what fully diluted means, how option pools dilute everyone, and how to calculate your real ownership.
Your equity doesn't belong to you all at once. Vesting determines when you actually earn your shares — and what happens to them if you leave early, get fired, or the company gets acquired.
Your equity doesn't belong to you all at once. Vesting determines when you actually earn your shares — and what happens to them if you leave early, get fired, or the company gets acquired.
Should you exercise your stock options now or wait? The answer depends on taxes, risk tolerance, and your company's trajectory. Here's a framework for making the right call.
Should you exercise your stock options now or wait? The answer depends on taxes, risk tolerance, and your company's trajectory. Here's a framework for making the right call.
When your startup raises a new round, your equity changes in ways that aren't always obvious. Here's what dilution actually means, why higher valuations can be misleading, and what new investor rights mean for you.
Your startup's cap table holds the answers to what your equity is really worth. Here's how to read it, understand your ownership percentage, and see where you stand in the stack.
ISOs, NSOs, RSUs, restricted stock — startup equity comes in many flavors. Here's what each type actually means for your compensation, your taxes, and your financial future.
ISOs, NSOs, RSUs, restricted stock — startup equity comes in many flavors. Here's what each type actually means for your compensation, your taxes, and your financial future.
Walk through a realistic Seed to Series B scenario with real numbers. See exactly how option pools, round sizes, and preferences affect what founders actually take home at exit.
Walk through a realistic Seed to Series B scenario with real numbers. See exactly how option pools, round sizes, and preferences affect what founders actually take home at exit.
SAFEs and convertible notes both delay valuation, but their mechanics differ in ways that matter. A clear breakdown of caps, discounts, MFN, pro-rata, and when each instrument makes sense.
SAFEs and convertible notes both delay valuation, but their mechanics differ in ways that matter. A clear breakdown of caps, discounts, MFN, pro-rata, and when each instrument makes sense.
Burn rate determines when your startup dies. Learn the difference between gross and net burn, how to calculate real runway, and the framework for knowing if you're default alive or dead.
Burn rate determines when your startup dies. Learn the difference between gross and net burn, how to calculate real runway, and the framework for knowing if you're default alive or dead.
Most founders think equity is simple: you own X%. But option pools, liquidation preferences, and preferred stock can quietly eat your returns. Here's what actually happens.
Most founders think equity is simple: you own X%. But option pools, liquidation preferences, and preferred stock can quietly eat your returns. Here's what actually happens.
The complete guide to venture capital careers: roles from analyst to partner, salary ranges at every level, interview prep, and proven strategies to break in — even without a finance background.
How VCs actually calculate startup valuations at every stage — from pre-seed to Series B+. The six primary methods, real examples, and the negotiation dynamics that determine the final number.
A complete guide to SAFE notes for startup founders — how they work, key terms like valuation caps and discounts, common mistakes, and when SAFEs are the right fundraising instrument.
How VCs actually calculate startup valuations at every stage — from pre-seed to Series B+. The six primary methods, real examples, and the negotiation dynamics that determine the final number.
A complete guide to SAFE notes for startup founders — how they work, key terms like valuation caps and discounts, common mistakes, and when SAFEs are the right fundraising instrument.
A comprehensive comparison of bootstrapping and venture capital — the economics, control trade-offs, risk profiles, and decision framework to help founders choose the right funding path.
How anti-dilution provisions work in venture capital — full ratchet vs. weighted average, how they affect founder ownership in down rounds, and what to negotiate in your term sheet.
How anti-dilution provisions work in venture capital — full ratchet vs. weighted average, how they affect founder ownership in down rounds, and what to negotiate in your term sheet.
Learn how equity dilution works across startup funding rounds, from pre-seed to Series C, and the strategies founders use to protect their ownership stake.
Term sheets are dense, jargon-heavy, and consequential. Here's a founder-friendly breakdown of every major clause and what it means for your company.
Pre-seed and seed rounds serve different purposes. Here's what each stage looks like, what investors expect, and how to know which one you're raising.
A comprehensive guide to venture capital — how it works, who the players are, and why it matters for startups seeking growth capital in today's market.