Office Hours With Vela Wood

In the final episode of this series, we discuss seed rounds, including the difference between convertible notes, SAFEs, and equity rounds, and how seed rounds have changed over the last 5 years.

This episode of Office Hours features Anthony Cimino, Head of Policy & Regulatory Affairs at Carta, an online equity management platform. We discuss the status of several key public policy issues - including the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) tax exclusion, the shifting definition of Accredited Investor, the Corporate Transparency Act, and electronic signatures and filings for 83(b) elections - and how the changes impact investor access, capital formation, and the ability of startups to raise capital.

In this episode, we break down the differences between accelerators and incubators, and how to find the best fit for your company. 

In this episode, we discuss the difference between accredited, unaccredited, and sophisticated investors, and where to find them.

In this episode, we discuss pitch decks, including what their purpose is (and isn't), how to structure an effective deck, and how to get them in front of potential investors.

In this episode, we discuss how to structure a Friends & Family Round to avoid risks that affect later-stage financing rounds.

In this episode, we discuss founders' agreements, including Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements (RSPAs), Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreements (CIIAAs), and Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreements. 

In this episode, we discuss the basics of incorporation, including the difference between corporations v. LLCs, which state to organize in, and when we recommend online document formation tools.

Kevin was interviewed by The Insider's Guide to Finance podcast about properly navigating your company through the stages of financing. Check it out!

In this episode, we discuss what constitutes a seed round in Dallas and contrast the three potential structures of a seed round - equity, convertible note, and a SAFE.

In this episode, we discuss why we're not big fans of accelerators, the types of accelerators we do think provide value and are worth participating in, and the clauses to watch out for in an accelerator's program participation agreement.

In this episode, we discuss qualifications for accredited investors, how to find angel investors, how angel syndicates work, which metrics you need to know for a pitch meeting, and how to respond to getting a "no." 

In this episode, we discuss what makes a great pitch deck, the best uses of an appendix, how to get warm introductions to investors, and restrictions on general solicitations.

In this episode, we discuss how to mitigate the risks of Friends & Family funding, which include disproportionate valuations, violating SEC and state securities laws, and messy cap tables.

In this episode, we discuss the difference between vesting and reverse vesting, confidentiality agreements and assignment of intellectual property, restricted stock and 83(b) elections, ROFR, and Class F founders stock.

In this episode, we discuss why your company's legal matters, lifestyle businesses v. venture-backed businesses, whether you should form your entity as a corporation or LLC, implications of the new tax code, and the filing requirements for entity formation.

In this episode, we discuss wage claims, entity types, accredited v. non-accredited investors, 83(b) elections, and 409A valuations.

In this episode, we discuss what the term sheet negotiation process establishes, as well as transaction costs and reputation constraints. 

In this episode, we discuss when to ask for a breakup fee, conditions precedent, and extended no-shop periods. 

In this episode, we discuss the difference between an asset deal and stock deal, forms of consideration, earnouts, and representations & warranties.