Valuation
Valuation in this library is a method and a term, not a headline multiple. Convertible instruments, caps, pre-money versus post-money, EBITDA, models, and the deal tape only matter if you can show the math a priced investor or a buyer will argue. I write for founders and corp-dev leads who have to defend a number in the room, including when the asset is an AI company with no clean comps.
Use this tag when the argument is the number: cap, multiple, model, or what a buyer will pay for an AI asset with ugly comps. Pair it with term sheets if the fight is contractual, and with unit economics if the fight is the forecast. I will not bless a hockey stick.
The AI Deal Tape: Anthropic, OpenAI, Stripe-OpenRouter, and Dario's Three Points
Anthropic is closer to listing than OpenAI. Stripe has reportedly agreed to buy OpenRouter for more than $7B. Dario Amodei's August 15 posts are the policy tone buyers should actually underwrite: harder tests at the frontier, fewer slogans, and an admission that the big benefits are still unpaid.
July 2026 Frontier AI Deal Sheet: Kimi K3, SAP–Prior Labs, Fireworks, and the $262B YTD Wave
A concise deal sheet for the busiest frontier-AI fortnight of 2026. Model launches, strategic acquisitions, and infrastructure megarounds reshaping corp-dev timelines.
Fireworks AI Hits $17.5B Valuation on $1.5B Series D. Inference Still Owns the Cap Table
Fireworks AI closed a $1.5B Series D at a $17.5B valuation with NVIDIA participating. Crossing $1B ARR as daily token volume jumps from 15T to 40T+.
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.
Earnout Structures in M&A: How They Work and How to Negotiate Them
How earnouts bridge valuation gaps in M&A. Typical structures, payment triggers, accounting pitfalls, and negotiation strategies for both buyers and sellers.
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.
The M&A Due Diligence Checklist: What Buyers Actually Look For
A comprehensive due diligence checklist covering financial, legal, operational, and commercial areas. Organized by what buyers prioritize and what kills deals.
EBITDA: Definition, Calculation, and Why It Matters in M&A
A clear breakdown of EBITDA. What it measures, how to calculate it, adjusted EBITDA variants, and why buyers use it as the primary valuation metric in M&A.
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.