For early-stage founders, the world of venture capital can feel like learning a new language. Whether you're prepping for your first fundraising round or scaling to your Series A, knowing the right terms helps you negotiate with confidence and build lasting investor relationships.
That’s why we’ve put together Part 1 of the Essential Glossary for VCs and Founders, a simple, visual timeline covering key concepts that come into play during a startup’s journey.
🔹 Exit Strategy - Every journey starts with the end in mind (IPO, acquisition).
🔹 Cap Table - Know who owns what from day one.
🔹 Burn Rate & Runway -Your financial lifeline, monitor it closely.
🔹 Term Sheet & Valuation - The core of investment negotiations.
🔹 SAFE & Convertible Note- Flexible funding instruments for early-stage capital.
🔹 Dilution- Understand how new funding affects your stake.
🔹 Due Diligence- The final gate before a deal closes.
These aren’t just buzzwords, they’re building blocks. Understanding them can make or break critical moments in your startup’s life cycle.
Check out the visual timeline below, and feel free to share with someone navigating their founder journey!
Stay tuned for Part 2 where I’ll cover terms like vesting, option pools, pro-rata rights, and more!
StartupGlossary VentureCapital FoundersToolkit StartupLife CapTable FundingJourney Entrepreneurship Startups DeepTech NeuroTechMatters Innovation ChaanakyaCapital
Add comment
Comments