Seed stage
Seed is still an instrument problem before it is a story problem. Notes, SAFEs, caps, runway, vesting, and the first priced round sit here because that is the order a messy cap table actually breaks. I do not treat seed as a lifestyle round. If you are raising or advising a raise into U.S. or Mexican counsel, start with the paper, then the traction slide.
Seed articles here are paper and math: the note, the SAFE, the cap table, runway, and the first priced round. I keep them next to Series A because the hangover shows up there. If you are still deciding whether to raise, read runway and the instrument first, not the deck.
DeepTech Megachecks: CuspAI, Proxima Fusion, PsiQuantum, and Nearfield
Four DeepTech rounds that matter for AI and software operators: CuspAI at $2.6B, Proxima Fusion at €2.4B, PsiQuantum at $7B, and Nearfield at $1.6B. Materials, fusion, quantum, and chip inspection are getting infrastructure-scale capital.
MicroAGI's $55M Seed and Shift NYC: Robot Training Data Hits the Home and the Factory Floor
Munich-based microagi raised $55M (Germany's largest seed) to scale robotics deployment, while its Shift app turns free NYC home cleanings into first-person training data. The round also mirrors a wider pattern: AI seed checks and valuations keep climbing.
Beyond the Megarounds: Early-July Capital Flows to Physical AI and Vertical Agents
Away from the megarounds, early-July capital is flowing to physical AI and vertical agents, with Chinese strategic capital highly active and nine-figure Series A/B rounds now routine.
Founder Vesting Schedules: Why They Matter and How to Structure Them
Why founder vesting protects all parties, standard structures (4-year / 1-year cliff), acceleration clauses, and common negotiation points with investors.
Series A Traction Metrics: What Investors Actually Want to See
The specific metrics and milestones that Series A investors evaluate — MRR thresholds, growth rates, retention benchmarks, and market signals by vertical.
Anti-Dilution Provisions: What Founders Need to Know
How anti-dilution provisions work, the difference between full ratchet and weighted average, and how they affect founders in a down round.
Bridge Rounds: When to Use Them and How to Structure Them
When bridge financing makes sense, how to structure it to avoid unfavorable terms, and the signals investors look for before participating.
Startup Runway: How to Calculate It and How to Extend It
How to calculate your startup's runway, what benchmarks matter at each stage, and tactical strategies for extending it without sacrificing growth.
The Investor Pitch Deck: Structure, Content, and Common Mistakes
How to structure a pitch deck that gets meetings — the 12 essential slides, what investors scan first, and the mistakes that get decks rejected.
How to Build a Financial Model for Your Startup
A step-by-step guide to building a startup financial model that investors take seriously — revenue projections, unit economics, and scenario planning.
Startup Valuation Methods: How Investors Value Early-Stage Companies
An overview of the most common startup valuation methods — from comparable analysis to DCF, scorecard, and venture capital method — with examples and when to use each.
Pre-Money vs. Post-Money Valuation: The Math Every Founder Must Know
The essential math behind pre-money and post-money valuations — with clear examples, dilution calculations, and common mistakes that cost founders equity.
How to Raise a Seed Round: A Step-by-Step Guide for Founders
A practical roadmap for raising a seed round — from building your investor list to setting terms, running the process, and closing the deal.
Cap Table Management: Best Practices for Startups
How to manage your cap table correctly from day one — common pitfalls, dilution math, and tools that help founders stay on top of their equity structure.
SAFE Agreements Explained: What Every Founder Needs to Know
Everything founders need to know about SAFE agreements — structure, valuation caps, discount rates, and when to use them instead of convertible notes.
What Is a Convertible Note? A Complete Guide for Founders and Investors
A comprehensive guide to convertible notes — how they work, key terms, pros and cons for founders and investors, and how they compare to SAFEs.