A priced round is a meaningful step. It is the moment the company sets a valuation, the moment all of your outstanding SAFEs and notes convert, and the moment your governance, reporting, and capital structure become formally institutional. Founders who arrive at a...
Founders raising a pre-seed round in 2026 effectively have two common off-the-shelf options: a SAFE or a convertible note. Both are designed to delay the valuation question until a priced round, both convert into preferred stock at that round, and both are widely...
Convertible notes were the standard early-stage financing instrument before the SAFE existed. They remain common in the Midwest with angel investors and in bridge rounds between priced equity financings. Founders should understand how the four economic levers in a...
In 2018, Y Combinator replaced its original pre-money SAFE with a post-money SAFE. Most founders never noticed. The change was a meaningful shift in how dilution flows through the cap table. If you are raising on SAFEs in 2026, you almost certainly are using...
The Simple Agreement for Future Equity, or “SAFE,” has become the dominant instrument for early-stage capital raises in the United States. Y Combinator introduced it in 2013 as an alternative to convertible notes, and most pre-seed investors today expect to see one....
The renewable energy sector is booming as the world seeks sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. However, the path from project inception to full operation is laden with legal complexities. Let’s delve into the legal landscape of renewable energy, providing a...
The Shift to Lower Carbon Feedstocks in Agribusiness As the world increasingly prioritizes net-zero carbon production, the agricultural sector, including agribusinesses and ethanol plants, face growing pressure to adopt practices that reduce carbon emissions. One of...
