The seed-funding tag has no wiki summary.
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744 views
Founder stocks and Employee pool
Is it common to issue equity to CEO as Preferred stock but other co-founders as Common stock?
When setting up a 20% employee pool, it is common to have terms that the unissued equity will be issued ...
2
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2answers
230 views
How do I get funding for my app
I am looking for help with start-up for my idea. I have an idea for an app but can't seem to find out how to get funding, without losing at least 75% equity.
Any ideas welcome.
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1answer
221 views
Seed Stage - Structuring Convertible Note With Cap
I am looking to raise roughly 30k for product development-marketing in the launch of a tech startup. I will be raising the money primarily from people I know with a few contacts that I don't. They ...
4
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1answer
121 views
When does the Series A round kicks in?
We are preparing a business plan for our next startup and this time we are planning to raise seed funds of $300K for 12 months with a milestone. We will enter the private BETA program for a group of ...
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1answer
200 views
Popularity of restricted stock?
Several newbie questions for restricted stocks...
Is it common for seed fund to invest in restricted stock?
Is it common to issue restricted stock to cofounder?
Is it common to turn option to ...
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1answer
224 views
What would be a reasonable equity when you execute on some one else's basic idea for less than market salary?
I am in some what a unique situation. I work for a friend owned software services company which has only 1 share holder - Founder & CEO. I joined them to execute on a product idea that the Founder ...
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3answers
291 views
Tumblr, EverNote, Facebook - How Do They Start? [closed]
There is a lot's of start-ups that not protected by a patent like tumblr/twitter/evernote and more...
How do they start getting massive users without letting copycats and Competitor disturbing them??
...
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3answers
215 views
Raise capital for idea, team and market
How do we go about raising seed money for our startup that is at this point nothing much but an idea (working towards a prototype), team (2 technical persons with over 10 years experience in ...
9
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5answers
320 views
Looking for investment while still working full-time
I had it in my head (since I need my salary to pay my bills) that I would continue working full-time until either a) the business earned enough that I could quite or more likely b) we secured seed ...
9
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3answers
692 views
How to get seed funding for non-profit?
I have a concept for a non-profit organization which would solve huge problems (think "climate change" for example) with money raised by aggregating very small payments from businesses for financial ...
6
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3answers
744 views
25% for angel investor for 20k$
These days I am in process of raising 20k$ for my project (a facebook application), that requires at least 30k$ (10k of which I am able to come up with myself).
When negotiating with an angel investor ...
6
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2answers
252 views
When do you start searching for VC's?
I was reading this article on traction and it had an interesting comment in it:
If you wait until you're "ready" to fund you're too late. Funding is about developing a relationship over time. ...
2
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1answer
238 views
Pre / Post Money - What Are They? And Should Pre be 2x More than Post in Series A?
I am not (yet) active on a startup of my own but I have been trying to read and educate myself in that arena so that I can at least coherently talk and ask the right questions of the people who I'll ...
4
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2answers
650 views
What does a seed money deal look like?
I have a personal contact that has shown interest in giving me seed money for a start-up. I am getting my package together to pitch the concept, and have virtually no idea what the investment deal ...
4
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3answers
221 views
Who uses “Self-Directed” Retirement Accounts to fund start-ups?
In the United States a retirement account like a 401K or an IRA can be incorporated as a "self-directed" account. A self-direct account provides you check-book control over your retirement account. It ...
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2answers
2k views
Tax question: writing off initial startup seed money
So, tax season is upon us and I'm finding myself doing taxes (yay)
My question is simple (I think):
In 2010, I started my company, bootstrapped. I've initially paid a bunch of expenses from ...
2
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3answers
108 views
What are some good venues to look for sales & bizdev partner for R&D team located in a remote place?
We're a small team in Ukraine with technical chops hungry for success. Finding a lucrative market niche and attracting real paying customers is a challenge, especially given our remote location.
So ...
3
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3answers
128 views
What disclosure can a seed investor expect from the company, after the investment is made?
I have made a seed investment in a startup. What level of disclosure and updates can I expect from the company's management without getting in their way? How frequently should I receive financial ...
3
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3answers
275 views
How do I close my *second* round of investing when the first round VCs pass?
I already got my first round, piece of cake. We had a million dollars sitting in the bank. But now we've burned through it, and we need to raise again. I'm worried that the pressure from having a ...
3
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2answers
145 views
What is the most important way in which an investor can add value to your startup?
How would you force-rank (1 being highest to 8 being lowest), in terms of value to your startup, the following 8 services provided by an investor:
Warm introductions to potential customers
Warm ...
7
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2answers
636 views
Acceptable Incubator Terms
I have seen the various documents the incubators (like Techstars Seed Funding Documents) have posted. These all represent follow on investments after their program.
What kind of terms can you expect ...
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2answers
69 views
Can A Legal Immigrant do Seed Funding?
I'm a legal immigrant. I want to seed fund a start up. Is that possible?
3
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1answer
602 views
term sheet vs convertible note
I have been talking to the people in angel circles and it seems that everyone takes only term sheets; and convertible notes are almost like an insult.
My questions is: when I can start offering ...
2
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1answer
1k views
Raising seed capital without too much dilution
My company is in the process of raising additional capital for my semi start up website. Currently we are in a beta testing phase with the intent of testing the functionality of the site on a larger ...
3
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1answer
160 views
In seed funding, can the investment come from multiple sources?
I have two investors that appear interested in my concept. I am going to speak to one tomorrow. I intend to disclose to him that I will also be speaking with another investor very soon. If possible ...
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1answer
277 views
How does option pool size at the time of incorporation impact valuation and funding
Suppose someone needs to incorprate a C-corp, for a high tech high growth business.
How does option pool size at the time of incorporation impact valuation and funding. Or it only matters how ...
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3answers
289 views
Where do you find startup capital?
I'm in the early steps of putting together a business plan. When it's finished, I'm definitely going to need to secure funding. How do you go about finding potential investors?
Tips to consider on ...
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4answers
1k views
Advisable amount of equity to part with during seed funding
What is the advisable range of the amount of equity to part with during seed funding? If I give too much then I risk becoming an employee at my own company during a later round. Worse yet I risk not ...
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4answers
700 views
Typically, what percentage of the company is sold during each round of funding
Typically, what percentage of the company is sold during each round of funding: angel investment or seed round, and A, B, and C venture capital rounds. The goal, I suppose, is the hold enough back at ...
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3answers
201 views
Will a VC give me seed money even if my idea is not unique but viable?
I want to start a small local business. There is nothing unique or innovative about it, but there is enough demand in the market. I have no college education. Will VC still consider me?
3
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1answer
303 views
Are there any grants for starting IT business in India?
I have a unique and viable idea but no seed money. I also have low qualification (no college education) so no chance of funding by VCs.
I am aware of many programs by US and other governments. Are ...
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3answers
202 views
Is an experienced accountant necessary for an s-corp formation?
I need to form an s-corp in Delaware. The corporation will be taking on angel funding as soon as it is formed.
I have retained an attorney experienced in the formation & funding processes. The ...
3
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3answers
235 views
Thoughts invited on unconventional ways of raising money
As I learn, fundraising is always a nightmare. It drains a considerable amount of energy. No matter how promising the pitch you make, it's not sure to entice an Angel or a VC. Even if they agree, it ...
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2answers
501 views
What percentage to give advisors / VC matchmakers?
I've been approached by two startup heavyweights who offered to recommend me to VCs and angels for my startup (I'm the sole owner). They've asked me what percentage of equity I would offer them in ...
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5answers
319 views
How to bootstrap when you have a high social overhead?
I love the idea of bootstrapping, but when I hear the bootstrapping evangelists talk about what it takes, they basically portray a lifestyle that only makes sense for a single person in their early ...
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4answers
2k views
How to start restaurant reservation startup in India?
I am in the process of starting a restaurant reservation service which will book tables in real time and on weekends. It will add users' names to the guest list which will reduce the wait time of the ...
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2answers
651 views
What is a reasonable percentage of equity
What is a reasonable percentage of equity that I should expect to give up to an angel investor in exchange for their investment?
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5answers
302 views
Starting New School Revenue Streams
Hey guys, it's me again. As was to be expected, I've run into funding problems with Idea School.
The quality teachers I'm looking for are worth about $50-60K per year. Now, of course, they ...
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2answers
550 views
A few questions about Seed Funding!
First of all, this website has been greatly helpful to understand various things about startups. I am glad I found this website. I am starting a company (A web-based startup). I am pretty much new to ...
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3answers
246 views
Liquidity preference with angel investors
Is it common for angel investors to ask for liquidity preference with participation?
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2answers
340 views
What do people think of using Kickstarter for initial financing?
After seeing how well Diaspora did in raising funding I've been thinking (as others have I'm sure) of trying to use Kickstarter for some initial financing.
In my case it would be enough money so that ...
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3answers
292 views
Please help with a VC / startup deal
I and my friend are about to get a deal to fund our B plan. This plan aligns with the expansion plans of the funding company. The deal offered is that of partnership in which we two would be having a ...
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3answers
380 views
Please help with a VC / startup deal / seed money
I and my friend are about to get a deal to fund our B plan. This plan aligns with the expansion plans of the funding company. The deal offered is that of partnership in which we two would be having a ...
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7answers
686 views
I've got a great algorithm, now what?
I have an algorithm for doing OCR (Optical Character Recognition) in a way that no one has ever done before. I've built rudimentary prototype software and I've tested my algorithm against the existing ...
2
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1answer
1k views
Appointing a CEO - KPIs and what to expect from them year 1 and beyond
We are just moving into the realms of appointing a CEO and are unsure of what we should expect from a CEO We have never done this before and are very green in this particular area.
I know we have a ...
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3answers
145 views
Variable exit distribution
Is it possible to promise seed investor variable share of the exit. E.g, if the exit(or any liquidation event) is 10M I'm willing to give 5%, but if the exit is 50M, i'm willing to give 10%.
My idea ...
2
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1answer
310 views
Raising money from friends and colleagues - terms and %
I wish to seed my new business with about $120k, of which I need to raise about $90k.
I prefer not to go professional seed investors as:
(a) it could take some time (which I don't have);
(b) it may ...
5
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4answers
2k views
Is there an index of startup incubators around the world?
Is there a list of places like the YCombinator, CapitalFactory etc arranged by their geographic operating regions?
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1answer
152 views
Startup support/mentoring in Vancouver
CapitalFactory, Y-Combinator and TechStars are doing great job of helping startups to start up.
Does anybody know of a similar initiative in Vancouver, BC, Canada?
I am sure people from other regions ...
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3answers
1k views
Have any good tips for a TechStars application?
There are a variety of tips for YCombinator, but we haven't been able to find anything related to TechStars. Anyone out there have experience with them?
