mark-suster-framework.md

Blog

• Mark Suster Blog

Raising VC

• Raising VC: Do you need, when to raise, how much
• Do You Really Even Need VC?
• 8 Questions to Help Decide if You Should be Raising Money Now
• Why Startups Should Raise Money at the Top End of Normal
• What is the Right Amount of Money to Raise at a Startup?

The Entrepreneur Thesis and The Four Main Things that Investors Look for in a Startup

• The Entrepreneur Thesis
• The Four Main Things that Investors Look for in a Startup

Choosing and Reference Checking a VC

• Choose Your VC Investor Carefully
• What I Would Look for When Choosing a VC; Knowing What I Know Now?
• Why It's Critical That you Reference Check Your VC
• How Do You Reference Check a VC?

Due Diligence

• How Much Information Should you Give VCs for Due Diligence?

Business Plans

• Are Business Plans Still Necessary?

NDAs and Confidentiality

• On NDAs and Confidentiality

Number of Investors

• How Many Investors are Too Many?
• The Problem with Party Rounds

Equity Versus Convertible

• Is Convertible Debt Preferable to Equity?
• The Truth About Convertible Debt at Startups and The Hidden Terms You Didn't Understand

Valuation

• The Dreaded Question of Valuation
• Want to Know How VCs Calculate Valuation Differently from Founders?

Dilution

• Understanding How Dilution Affects You at a Startup

Equity, Taking Money off the Table, Stock Options

• Founders, Ownership and Prenuptials
• Should Founders Be Allowed to Take Money off the Table?
• How to Discuss Stock Options with Your Team

Pro-Rata and Super Pro-Rata

• What all Entrepreneurs Need to Know About Prorata Rights
• Why Super Pro-rata Rights are Not a Good Deal for Entrepreneurs

Performance-Based Warrants

• Should Your Startup Give Performance-Based Warrants?

Board Observers

• Why I Don't Like Board Observers
• Rethinking Board Observers – The Role of the “Silent Observer”

Aquihire

• The Corrosive Downside of Acquihires

Burn Rate

• What is the Right Burn Rate at a Startup Company?