Tran VC Content Team

Every founder raising capital hits this question: pre-money or post-money? At first, it seems like a small detail. A math thing. Just one more line in a term sheet. But that one line can change everything. It decides how much of your company you still own after a round. It shapes how investors see your […]

Equity feels abstract—until it’s not. At first, it’s just a number in your pitch deck. A few percentage points here, a small advisory slice there. But slowly, deal by deal, those numbers add up. And before you realize it, the company you built isn’t really yours anymore. Most founders don’t plan to give away too

You’ve built something real. It’s early, but it’s working. You’ve got a clear idea, maybe some code running, and a strong sense of where it can go. Now it’s time to talk to investors. Or customers. Or partners. And the first thought that hits you? How much equity will this cost me? For most founders,

If you’re a technical founder, you’ve probably heard two things over and over: raise fast, and raise big. But what if you could grow differently? What if you could move faster—not by taking on more capital, but by being smarter with what you already have? That’s what seed-strapping is about. It’s not bootstrapping. It’s not

You started this company because you had a clear vision. A big idea. Something worth building. Now you’re doing the work—writing code, building product, solving hard problems. But as soon as money enters the picture, things change. You’re told you need to raise. You hear about dilution. You see cap tables get complicated fast. And

You’ve got something real. Not just an idea, but a working system, an early prototype, maybe even a first customer. Now investors are showing interest. That’s exciting. But it’s also where many founders start losing control—without even knowing it. Because buried in early-stage term sheets, SAFE notes, or “friendly” convertible rounds are quiet clauses that

If you’re a technical founder, you’ve probably asked yourself one big question: How do I raise early money without giving up control? It’s a fair question. You’ve got code, maybe an early demo, maybe some promising experiments. But you’re still figuring things out. You’re not ready to pitch to Sand Hill. At the same time,

When you’re raising your first money, terms like “valuation cap” can feel like a small detail. But it’s not small. In fact, it might be one of the most important numbers in your first funding deal. It shapes how much of your company you give away. It affects how much ownership you keep after your

Most early-stage founders think fundraising is all about convincing someone to believe in them. But what if you flipped the script? What if you walked into your first round already holding the cards—traction, protection, and a real edge that made investors lean in? This guide is about getting there. It’s for founders who want to

Raising money for your startup is exciting. But the moment the term sheet hits the table, everything changes. Now it’s not just about pitching well. It’s about protecting what you’ve built. And what you’ll build next. The truth is, most founders don’t know how to negotiate investor terms. They accept the first offer. They agree