Legal & Compliance
Board Composition
The structure and makeup of a company's board of directors, including the balance between founder, investor, and independent seats.
Board composition defines who has voting power over major company decisions. Typical early-stage boards have 3 seats (2 founder, 1 investor), expanding to 5-7 seats as the company matures with additional investor and independent director seats.
In Practice
After the Series B, the board expanded to 5 seats: 2 founders, 2 investors (one from Series A, one from Series B), and 1 independent director chosen jointly.
Why It Matters
Board composition determines control. Founders who lose board majority can be removed as CEO. Understanding board dynamics is critical at every financing stage.
VC Beast Take
Board composition is the power structure of your company dressed up as governance. Every seat matters more than most founders realize until it's too late.
Further Reading
How to Negotiate a Term Sheet as a First-Time Founder
Your first term sheet is exciting and terrifying. Know what's negotiable, what's standard, and the practical tactics for pushing back on liquidation preferences, board seats, and protective provisions.
What a Series A Process Actually Looks Like
The Series A is where fundraising gets real — partner meetings, deep diligence, and term sheet negotiations. Here's a realistic week-by-week breakdown of what to expect.
How to Negotiate Your Term Sheet: A Founder's Playbook
A tactical guide to negotiating your startup term sheet — which terms matter most, where to push back, and how to protect your interests without killing the deal.
How to Read a Term Sheet: A Practical Breakdown
Term sheets aren't designed to be readable. Here's a section-by-section guide to what matters, what's standard, and what should make you walk away.
Term Sheet Explained: Every Clause Founders Must Know
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.
Series A Funding: What It Is and How to Raise It
Series A is where startups prove they can scale. Here's what investors expect, what metrics matter, and how to run a successful Series A process.
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