Category season file
Equity, fundraising, and founder control decisions.
posts in this decision room
What did this move burn?
Seed vs Series A compared: round sizes, what each round proves, the metrics A investors expect, dilution math, and a readiness checklist for the jump.
What did this move burn?
Pre-seed vs seed funding compared: typical round sizes, valuations, investor expectations, SAFE vs priced rounds, and a checklist to know which round you're ready for.
What did this move burn?
Read how early investment terms affect founder motivation, control, and investor trust in the next round.
What did this move burn?
Startup dilution explained with the formula, a three-round worked example, and the option pool trap that costs founders more than they expect.
What did this move burn?
50/50 or not? The factors that decide a co-founder equity split, why vesting and a cliff are non-negotiable, and how the split compounds with dilution across rounds.
What did this move burn?
How a SAFE works: valuation cap, discount, the post-money vs pre-money difference, and the dilution surprise SAFEs create when they convert at a priced round.
What did this move burn?
Pre-money vs. post-money valuation explained with the formula, a worked example, and how investors actually price a Pre-Seed or Seed funding round.
What did this move burn?
The option pool shuffle quietly cuts your real valuation before a term sheet is even signed. Here's the math, a worked example, and how to negotiate it.