StartGridFounder & Investor Guides
Fundraising mechanics explained in plain language: how the instruments, terms, and cap table math actually work, without the jargon and without the sales pitch. No fluff, no gated content, no invented statistics, just how it works.
How a SAFE Note Actually Converts Into Equity
What triggers conversion, how caps and discounts set the price, and what shows up on the cap table afterward.
Term SheetsWhat Actually Matters in a Term Sheet Beyond Valuation
Liquidation preference, board control, protective provisions, and pro rata rights, the clauses that decide more than the price does.
EquityHow ESOP Vesting Works and What Happens If You Leave Early
Cliffs, vesting schedules, exercise windows, and what happens to unvested and vested options at departure.
FundraisingSAFE vs Priced Round: What Changes for an Early-Stage Founder
Speed, cost, investor rights, and how dilution shows up differently between the two structures.
Investor MechanicsWhat Investors Actually Look For in Due Diligence
Cap table cleanliness, legal exposure, IP assignment, and how founders can prepare before it starts.
Cap TablesWhat a Down Round Does to Existing Shareholders and Options
Anti-dilution provisions, option repricing, and why a lower valuation is only the visible part of the damage.
SAFEsConvertible Notes vs SAFEs: The Practical Differences
Debt versus a standalone instrument, interest accrual, maturity dates, and what changes at wind-down.
FundraisingWhat Actually Needs to Be in a Startup Data Room
The full document checklist, and the single most common gap that slows diligence down.
Cap TablesHow Dilution Compounds Across Funding Rounds
Why dilution multiplies instead of adding up, and how option pools and SAFEs compound the effect.
Term SheetsLiquidation Preference Explained
What "1x non-participating" really means, and why it matters most in the outcomes nobody plans for.
General educational content, not legal or financial advice. These guides explain how common startup financing mechanics work in general. They are not a substitute for advice from a qualified lawyer, chartered accountant, or financial advisor who can review your specific documents and jurisdiction.