Office Hours
VDR Ch. 8: Convertible Debt

In this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of using convertible debt from both an investor and company perspective, the three different scenarios that will cause a conversion, and when you should and shouldn’t use KISS or SAFE agreements. 


Venture Deals Review
VDR Ch. 7: The Cap Table

In this episode, we discuss best uses of cap tables, online cap table management platforms, and how VCs and companies each approach calculating price per share.


Venture Deals Review
VDR Ch. 6, Part 2: Other Terms of the Term Sheet

In this episode, we discuss restriction on sales, assigning confidential information to the company, tag along rights, no-shop agreements, and indemnification clauses. 


Venture Deals Review
VDR Ch. 6, Part 1: Other Terms of the Term Sheet

In this episode, we discuss the difference between compounding and non-compounding dividends, why VCs ask for redemption rights, when conditions precedent matter, what’s included in information rights, and suggested thresholds for registration rights and ROFO.


Venture Deals Review
VDR Ch. 5: Control Terms of the Term Sheet

In this episode, we discuss which activities a company’s board of directors must approve, how long a company should keep control of its board, the difference between a board member and board observer, and negotiating a threshold for protective provisions. 


Office Hours
VDR Ch. 4, Part 2: Economic Terms of the Term Sheet

In this episode, we discuss why venture-backed startups must vest their equity, why you shouldn’t give employees Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements, how to get VCs to agree to a smaller option pool, and the difference between full ratchet anti-dilution and weighted-average anti-dilution.


Venture Deals Review
VDR Ch. 4, Part 1: Economic Terms of the Term Sheet

In this episode, we discuss why the difference between pre-money valuation and post-money valuation matters when negotiating with a VC, why price per share is critical in later financing docs, what is included in a fully-diluted basis, why accepting a lower valuation can be the best option, the difference between participating preferred stock and non-participating preferred stock, and why play-to-pay scenarios are no longer common.


Venture Deals Review
VDR Ch. 3: Overview of the Term Sheets

In this episode, we discuss who is responsible for providing the term sheet, which parts of a term sheet are binding, the different types of term sheets, and what should be included in a term sheet. 


Venture Deals Review
VDR Ch. 2: How to Raise Money

In this episode, we discuss how to determine how much money to raise, how to prepare a pitch deck, whether or not you need a PPM, four key roles of a lead investor, and first practical steps after deciding to raise money. 


Office Hours
Venture Deals Review Ch. 1: The Players

In this episode, we discuss the non-monetary value your VC should provide, issues with Friends and Family financing, how the angel investor ecosystem has evolved, and how paying advisors success fees can violate SEC laws. Note: We recommend listening VDR Ch.16 first, before VDR Ch.1