There has never been a better time for entrepreneurs to create a startup. With decreasing costs of getting started and operating a business, the ability to be a founder has become increasingly democratized across the globe. On top of this, the amount of funding sources has dramatically increased not only in number, but also in types, as non-traditional sources like crowdfunding and accelerators have become important players in the ecosystem. Today, an entrepreneur raising money has a lot more options than even just a few years ago. The question becomes “how does one evaluate these opportunities and maximize the result?”
Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson are back with version four of their Wall Street Journal and Amazon bestseller. Packed with the latest insights and emerging trends, the authors’ fifty-plus years of collective experience are at your fingertips. Whether you need advice on raising money, negotiating a term sheet, selling your business, or really just want to have insider access into what makes venture capitalists tick, this book is for you.
Brad and Jason discuss different stages of financings, the many types of different investors who might fund your company, as well as the different avenues of funding, whether they be equity, traditional convertible debt, venture bank debt, or one of the newer practices of crowdfunding and pre-sales.
Whether you are a new or seasoned entrepreneur, lawyer, venture capitalist, educator, or student of the industry, Venture Deals, Fourth Edition is the go-to-guide to navigating the venture landscape.
For additional information, including term sheets and all the documents generated from the term sheet as part of venture financing, visit the authors’ website at venturedeals.com.
From the Back Cover
Praise For venture deals
“Every venture capitalist believes they know how to do venture deals. Jason and Brad, however, actually have deep knowledge and insight and are willing to share the details of how to get deals done right. While this book may not actually make you smarter than your lawyer (assuming you have a good one), it is an essential read for entrepreneurs, lawyers, and venture capitalists who want to be successful in a critical part of building a great company: raising money.”
Eric Jensen, Partner, Cooley LLP
“One of the greatest lessons for entrepreneurs is to learn from others and take advice from trusted partners and experts. In Venture Deals, Jason and Brad offer entrepreneurs the gift of their experience and expertise over many years and hundreds of deals. Take it and run with it. What you will learn in this book will serve you well in every investment, legal, and banking conversation throughout your life as an entrepreneur. Your ideas and your passion will get you far, and having an insider’s understanding of how to fund your ambitious goals will get you there that much faster.”
Greg Becker, CEO, Silicon Valley Bank
“Having worked with Brad and Jason during the Internet bubble, I witnessed first-hand the experience they gained by doing deals that covered the entire range of issues an entrepreneur faces today. This is a must-read for both entrepreneurs and investors as it lets each side understand the terminology, structures, and potential issues inherent in venture deals so they can focus on what really matters, regardless of which side they are on. Every entrepreneur who is raising or considering raising venture capital should read this book!”
Heidi Roizen, Partner, DFJ
“Feld and Mendelson pack a graduate-level course into this energetic and accessible book. The authors’ frank style and incisive insight make this a required read for high-growth company entrepreneurs, early stage investors, and graduate students. Start here if you want to understand venture capital deal structure and strategies.”
Brad Bernthal, CU Boulder, Associate Professor of Law, Technology Policy, Entrepreneurial Law
“I’ve been lucky to have Brad and Jason as mentors on my journey from entrepreneur, to running Techstars Boston, to serving as the first investor to over 100 startups, and now as CEO of The Engine Fund. I give this book to all founders I back. Venture Deals is a fundamental resource for both entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.”
Katie Rae, CEO and Managing Partner, The Engine
About the Author
BRAD FELD has been an early stage investor and entrepreneur for over thirty years. Prior to cofounding Foundry Group, he cofounded Mobius Venture Capital and Intensity Ventures. He is also a cofounder of Techstars.
JASON MENDELSON has over twenty years experience in the venture capital and technology industries in a multitude of investing, legal, and operational roles. Prior to cofounding Foundry Group, Jason was a Managing Director and General Counsel for Mobius Venture Capital. He is also a cofounder of SRS/Acquiom.