Startup 124: Term Sheet – Valuation and Dilution

Lots of folks have asked a very common question about startups: “What is a Venture Capital Term Sheet and what do all the terms mean?”  Since there are lots of terms to discuss, I will break the answers into multiple posts to get the content out more quickly and in smaller digestible chunks.

What’s the Big Idea?

Before jumping into post-money valuations, liquidity preferences and other legal mumbo jumbo, you must first decide whether you want to go down the path of taking venture capital.  Read more... (1758 words, 2 images, estimated 7:02 mins reading time)

Startup Life 103: Love

Successful startups (or any other successful company or adventure) cause memory loss. Yes, memory loss. It’s fascinating how success tends to make all the late nights, struggles, frustrations, fears, anxiety and stress fade away. Yet the fact is that startup life is hard and not for the faint of heart.  Read more... (785 words, 1 image, estimated 3:08 mins reading time)

It’s the people, stupid.

A common question I am asked is what made (and still makes!) Vontu a successful startup, company, team, division, etc.   The answer is simple.  People.  Great people.   It is one of the most important (and defensible) competitive advantages a company can have.   It’s the same core belief that made Microsoft, Google, and so many other companies, sports teams, non profits, political campaigns, and others successful.

Some people argue that having a great idea is what makes a successful company.  But how does a company create great products or ideas?  Great people create great products.  Read more... (248 words, estimated 60 secs reading time)