Founders
The Serial Founder Advantage, Myth-Tested Against What the Record Shows
Kenji WatanabeRepeat founders raise money more easily and hire faster — but the same experience imports habits that sink second companies.
Founders
Profiles of the people running technology companies, built around specific decisions.
Founders
How a SAFE Actually Converts at Your Priced Round, With the Math That Surprises Founders
Kenji WatanabeA SAFE is a deferred conversion instrument that turns into equity at your next priced round — and the conversion discount or cap, not the check size, decides how much of the company the investor ends up holding.
Founders
How Rule 506 Lets Startups Raise Money Without SEC Registration
Kenji WatanabeUnder the SEC's Rule 506(b), a startup can raise an unlimited amount from an unlimited number of accredited investors plus up to 35 non-accredited ones, according to the agency — but only by skipping public solicitation entirely.
Founders
Co-Founder Conflict: Mechanics for Splitting Fairly
Kenji WatanabeCo-founder conflict is a leading startup killer, and the postmortems agree it is preventable — not by avoiding disagreement, but by writing the divorce terms while everyone still likes each other.
Founders
Angels vs VCs: A Founder's Comparison
Kenji WatanabeAngels bet on you and VCs bet on the machine — the two money types differ in check size, patience, and what happens when things go wrong, and the cap table mix decides your worst day.
Founders
Negotiating Founder Equity: What to Ask Before Signing
Kenji WatanabeJoining a startup as a late co-founder or founding executive is the highest-leverage equity negotiation of a career — and the value sits in terms nobody volunteers: vesting, strike, preferences, and information rights.