Explains SAFE valuation cap mechanics, conversion pricing at Series A, and how caps affect founder dilution.
How acquihire transactions are structured, how employee equity is handled, and what founders and employees should watch for.
The federal QSBS exclusion under Section 1202 and why California founders face a different tax result than founders in other states.
The legal cleanup, corporate governance, and documentation that institutional investors expect before a Series A closes.
How CFIUS reviews apply to AI startups with foreign investors and what founders need to know before accepting international capital.
RBI and FEMA requirements that apply when Indian founders raise US venture capital or issue equity to US investors.
Side-by-side comparison of convertible notes and SAFEs across interest, maturity, conversion triggers, and investor protections.
What a 409A valuation is, when you need one, and how it sets the exercise price for stock options under Section 409A.
How lead investors use pre-money option pool expansion to shift dilution onto founders before the Series A closes.
Broad-based weighted average vs. full ratchet anti-dilution mechanics and their impact on founders in a down round.
When dual representation of founders and the company creates conflicts, and how to spot and address them early.
Legal options and leverage available to founders facing removal from the company they built.
Recent Delaware legislative amendments and how they shift the legal landscape for startup governance and investor rights.
Emerging patterns in startup-related fraud litigation and what founders, investors, and counsel should watch for.
How California's no-contact rule applies when investor counsel reaches out to represented founders or company employees.
Key terms in a Series Seed term sheet, what is negotiable, and how each provision sets precedent for later rounds.
Step-by-step breakdown of how YC's post-money SAFE converts at a priced round, including stacking and pro rata rights.
How liquidation preferences stack across multiple rounds and how the waterfall determines who gets paid first in an exit.
What happens to unvested options, RSUs, and common stock when a startup is acquired, including single- and double-trigger provisions.