Stripe is a financial services and software-as-a-service company that provides application programming interfaces (APIs) for payment processing and other commerce-related operations. Founded in 2010, it has evolved from a developer-focused startup into a comprehensive global financial infrastructure platform that has … Continue reading
startup investing
Voting vs. Non-Voting Shares: Why the Difference Matters Understanding the difference between voting and non-voting shares can be important for startup investors when looking at investment terms. In the private markets, the structure of share classes can have implications about … Continue reading
Developing Your Investment Thesis An investment thesis, or a concise key framework from which to make investment decisions, is important for any investor to develop. It can serve as a measuring stick to compare potential opportunities against during the due … Continue reading
With the high risk associated with startup investments, and failure of 9 out of 10 startups, it is almost certain that active startup investors will experience a failed investment at some point or another. What lessons can be learned from … Continue reading
While startups may claim that they have found product-market fit, how can investors actually tell if good product-market fit has been found? How can investors differentiate genuine need from a temporary spike in viral interest from a founder’s well-intentioned optimism? … Continue reading
With convertible notes as a common way for startups to raise capital, investors should understand valuation caps, a mechanism designed to help early investors by setting a maximum company valuation at which their investment can convert into equity. In this … Continue reading
Learn More About Follow On Investment in Subsequent Funding Rounds Follow on investments are most commonly associated with institutional investments from venture capital or private equity firms. However, the same concept can be relevant to individual investors, deciding whether or … Continue reading
Understanding Pro Rata Rights Is Essential for Investors Pro rata rights represent the right for investors to participate in subsequent rounds of startup funding beyond their original investment. Pro rata rights are typically used to preserve equity or ownership stakes … Continue reading
For early-stage startups, assessing the founding team is one part of the due diligence process. While the product and market are important, the founding team’s composition and capabilities to scale, pivot, and even fail can provide investors with additional insight. … Continue reading
SAFEs (Simple Agreements for Future Equity) have emerged as one financial instrument startups may choose to utilize when raising capital. Initially developed by Y Combinator in 2013 as an alternative to convertible notes, a SAFE investment provides an option for … Continue reading
