Disrupting disruption with disruptive disruptions since 2010.
When founders get a waiver from anti-dilution adjustments because they dilute themselves (or the math is too ugly). Technical term for 'let's not do this.'
The amount of money a startup is seeking in a funding round. The question that determines whether you're getting a term sheet or eating ramen while applying to jobs.
The second major funding round, typically $10-50 million, aimed at scaling a product that already has demonstrated traction. Proof that your MVP was more than just a fever dream.
An Excel spreadsheet that startup founders compulsively update every day to determine exactly when they'll run out of money—a real-time anxiety meter.
A deal term that prevents certain actions without investor approval. The clause that prevents your CEO from going rogue.
Wealthy individuals who invest in early-stage startups, either because they see potential or more likely because they're bored and have disposable income.
A clause that speeds up your equity vesting if certain events happen, like acquisition or being fired without cause. It's supposed to protect you but usually just makes the acquisition price higher.
The first major institutional funding round, typically $2-15 million, where professional VCs finally take your startup seriously. The moment you stop being a 'cool idea' and become a 'company with serious growth ambitions.'
A space of the market that a powerful VC firm claims as theirs, and they'll kill any startup that tries to compete there. It's legal monopoly behavior with a cute name.
A metaphor for product iteration where you build a simple prototype first, then progressively add features. It's the ideal version of MVP development that almost no one actually follows.
A funding round where the valuation is identical to (or extremely close to) the previous round's valuation, which founders desperately pretend is actually good news.
The third major funding round, usually $20M-$100M+, designed to accelerate growth and expand into new markets. When 'startup' starts sounding like 'real company' and the pressure becomes genuinely intense.
Starting with a narrow, focused product in a niche market, then expanding horizontally once you dominate that niche—the startup version of 'start small, think big.'
To officially embark on a vessel, aircraft, or train after security clearance; also corporate-speak for officially joining a project or organization after onboarding procedures. The moment of no return, metaphorically speaking.
The average revenue generated per user, typically calculated monthly or annually. The easiest way to understand if your pricing actually matters.
The annualized percentage return on invested capital. How investors measure if they actually beat the S&P 500 by betting on your startup.
Subsequent funding rounds after Series A, each larger and more investor-filled than the last, until your startup becomes a 'scale-up' drowning in bureaucracy and VCs who don't use your product.
The total profit a customer generates for your company over their entire relationship—essentially predicting whether they'll be worth the investment to acquire.
To engage in a battle of wills, skills, or resources against rivals for supremacy, positioning, or bragging rights. The corporate version of 'may the best person win' minus the actual physical combat.
Sequential funding rounds named alphabetically—each one supposedly the 'final' round until you need Series D.
An event where startup cohorts (usually from accelerators like Y Combinator) pitch to 500+ investors in rapid-fire succession—speed dating for capital.
Low-fidelity sketches of how a user interface will work, before high-fidelity design. It's the cheapest way to validate UX before wasting designer time.
The sale of existing shares between investors, employees, or founders, rather than new share issuance. The legal way for early employees to cash out without an exit event.
A situation where a startup with good metrics but bad unit economics keeps raising money from VCs who don't do the math. Also called 'raising on hope and a spreadsheet.'