Series A/B/C/D

Definition

Sequential funding rounds labeled alphabetically, each supposedly representing the company's progression from barely-viable to 'we probably need more money anyway.'

Example Usage

We're closing our Series B in Q3, assuming the market doesn't tank again.

Origin

Financial industry convention extending back to traditional venture capitalism

Fun Fact

Some companies now skip to Series D or E directly due to inflated valuations and mega-rounds

Source: Standard VC funding terminology

Related Terms

Advanced

liquidation event

A corporate action where shareholders finally get to convert their paper wealth into actual money—or discover their shares are worthless after preferences. It's payday or apocalypse, with no middle ground.

🚀 Startup / VC

Intermediate

discount rate

The percentage discount early investors get when their notes convert to equity, rewarding them for investing before a priced round. It's the early bird special of startup investing, typically 15-25%.

🚀 Startup / VC

Beginner

Runway

The amount of time a startup has before it runs out of money and crashes, much like an actual runway but with more crying. It's measured in months and discussed in board meetings with the same energy as a doctor delivering a terminal diagnosis.

🚀 Startup / VC

Advanced

aqui-dump

When a company acquires a startup primarily to shut it down and eliminate competition, rather than to integrate talent or technology. It's the evil twin of acqui-hire where everyone loses except the shareholders.

🚀 Startup / VC

Intermediate

Acquisition (Acqui-hire)

When a company buys another startup not for its product, but primarily for its team. The startup equivalent of a zombie becoming useful.

🚀 Startup / VC

Intermediate

pre-money valuation

What investors claim your company is worth before they invest—a number that's actually meaningless but gets thrown around in press releases. Add the investment amount to get post-money, which is what your ownership percentage is actually based on.

🚀 Startup / VC

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