Monthly Archives: June 2026
What Is a Seed Round?
The seed round is the first real outside money most startups raise. Friends-and-family money usually falls into the “pre-seed” category. Seed funding is when founders begin taking checks from people expecting venture-style returns: Angel investors; Syndicates; Seed funds; Accelerators; and Institutional investors. The terms accepted during the seed round often shape every financing round… Read More »
What Is a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)?
If you are raising money, somebody is going to ask whether you have an MVP. Here is what they actually mean. An MVP — minimum viable product — is the smallest functional version of a product that allows a startup to test whether users actually want it. Not a polished launch. Not a perfect… Read More »
SAFEs vs. Convertible Notes: What Founders Actually Need to Know
There are two common ways to raise early-stage money without negotiating a valuation immediately: SAFEs; and Convertible notes. They are similar in some ways. They are very different in others. Most founders should understand both before signing either. The SAFE: The Modern Default A SAFE — short for Simple Agreement for Future Equity —… Read More »
How to Start a Startup
Starting a company is easy. The hard part is the first ninety days. That is when founders make decisions about entity structure, founder equity, fundraising, IP ownership, and governance — all while trying to build a product at startup speed. Most founders trip over the same early issues. Step One: Decide What You Are… Read More »