Startup Fundraising Glossary

Navigate the world of startup financing with confidence

Explore a glossary of essential terms in startups, startup fundraising, bootstrapping and entrepreneurship. Decode the terminology and jargon with ease.

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Artificial Intelligence in FundraisingArtificial Intelligence in Fundraising is the use of AI technologies to optimize fundraising efforts, from predicting donor behavior to automating communication strategies.AssetAsset is anything of value owned by the company, which can be current, fixed, tangible, or intangible.Asset-Based FinancingAsset-Based Financing is a method of financing where a startup borrows money based on its asset values.Asymmetric InformationAsymmetric Information occurs when one party in a transaction has more or superior information compared to another, often seen in startup fundraising where founders may have more information about the startup`s potential than investors.Asynchronous FundingAsynchronous Funding is a funding approach that does not require simultaneous investment from all parties, allowing startups to raise capital from different investors at different times based on agreed-upon milestones.At-the-Market Offering (ATM)At-the-Market Offering (ATM) is a type of offering from a company that is made at the current market price of its shares.Attribution AnalysisAttribution Analysis is a method used in finance to analyze the performance of investments by looking at the various factors that contributed to the investment`s return over a certain period, applicable in evaluating startup investment returns.Attribution RightsAttribution Rights are rights that allow startup investors to receive additional shares or benefits if certain performance milestones are achieved, ensuring fair compensation for early risk.Auction-Based FundingAuction-Based Funding is a fundraising method where potential investments are bid on in an auction format, allowing startups to present their projects to a broad audience and secure funding based on competitive bids.Audience DevelopmentAudience Development are strategies and practices aimed at growing and engaging a startup`s target audience or user base, essential for platforms relying on network effects or content distribution.Audience MonetizationAudience Monetization is the process of generating revenue from an audience, typically through advertising, subscription models, or selling user data. For media and content-driven startups, this is a crucial aspect of their business model.Authorized SharesAuthorized Shares are the maximum number of shares that a corporation is legally permitted to issue, as specified in its articles of incorporation.Automated Equity ManagementAutomated Equity Management is the use of software to manage a company`s equity structure, including cap tables, stock options, and equity grants, ensuring accuracy and compliance.Automated Investor MatchingAutomated Investor Matching is a digital service that uses algorithms to match startups with potential investors based on criteria such as industry focus, investment size, and geographical preferences.Automated Valuation Model (AVM)Automated Valuation Model (AVM) is a service that uses mathematical modeling to value properties. For startups in real estate technology, AVM can be a product feature that attracts investment by offering innovative valuation solutions.Automatic ConversionAutomatic Conversion is a provision in a convertible note or security that specifies the conditions under which the instrument will automatically convert into equity, typically at a predetermined trigger event like a future financing round.B2B (Business to Business)B2B (Business to Business) refers to companies that sell products or services directly to other businesses rather than individual consumers.B2B Sales CycleB2B Sales Cycle is the process that a business-to-business sale typically goes through, from initial contact to closing the deal, which can impact fundraising by affecting cash flow and revenue forecasts.B2B2C (Business to Business to Consumer)B2B2C (Business to Business to Consumer) is a business model where a company sells its product or service to another business before it reaches the consumer.B2C (Business to Consumer)B2C (Business to Consumer) describes companies that sell products or services directly to individual consumers.Backdoor FinancingBackdoor Financing is a method of raising capital through means that are not traditional equity or debt offerings, such as joint ventures, strategic partnerships, or through the use of convertible notes.Balloon PaymentBalloon Payment is a large, lump-sum payment scheduled at the end of a series of considerably smaller periodic payments, a term relevant in structured financing agreements.Barefoot ValuationBarefoot Valuation is an informal method of valuing a startup based on minimal available financial data, often used in early stages or by companies with little to no revenue.Barrier to EntryBarrier to Entry refers to obstacles that make it difficult for new entrants to enter a market or industry, such as high startup costs, regulatory requirements, or strong incumbent brands.Basis PointBasis Point is a unit of measure used in finance to describe the percentage change in the value or rate of a financial instrument, equal to 1/100th of 1%.Bear HugBear Hug is an offer to purchase a company`s shares at a price far higher than the current market value, making it difficult for the company to refuse but not necessarily in its best interest.Benchmark RoundBenchmark Round is a significant funding round that sets a valuation benchmark for a startup, often used as a reference for future funding rounds and valuations.BenchmarkingBenchmarking is the process of comparing a startup`s business processes and performance metrics to industry bests and best practices from other companies, aiming to identify areas for improvement.Beta TestBeta Test is the second phase of software testing where a sample of the intended audience tries the product out in a real-world environment to identify bugs or improvements.Beta UsersBeta Users are individuals or businesses that use a startup`s product or service before its full commercial release to provide feedback and identify any issues.Beta VersionBeta Version is a pre-release version of a product, typically software, that is made available to a limited audience outside of the company to find bugs or gather feedback.Big Data AnalyticsBig Data Analytics involves examining large and varied data sets to uncover hidden patterns, market trends, customer preferences, and other insights that can help startups make informed decisions.Block ChainBlock Chain in fundraising refers to a digital ledger technology used for securing decentralized transaction records, notably in cryptocurrency transactions.Board of DirectorsBoard of Directors is a group of individuals elected to represent shareholders and govern the company`s activities according to its charter.Bootstrapped StartupBootstrapped Startup is a company that is funded by the founders` personal finances or the operational revenues of the company, without external investment capital.BootstrappingBootstrapping is a funding strategy where entrepreneurs use their own money, or the business`s revenue, to finance their startup, avoiding external investment or debt.Bottom LineBottom Line refers to a company`s net income, the final profit after all expenses have been deducted from revenues, indicating the financial health of the business.Bounce RateIn digital marketing, Bounce Rate is the percentage of visitors to a website who navigate away after viewing only one page, used to gauge a site`s relevance and engagement.Brand CapitalBrand Capital is an investment made in a company based on the strength and recognition of its brand, reflecting a form of intangible asset valuation.Breach of WarrantyBreach of Warranty occurs when a statement in a contract is proven to be false, potentially leading to legal action or termination of the agreement.Break-even AnalysisBreak-even Analysis is a calculation to determine at what point a business will be able to cover all its expenses and begin to make a profit.Break-even PointBreak-even Point is the stage at which total revenues equal total costs, indicating that a startup has covered all its expenses and begins to generate profit.Breakout CompanyBreakout Company refers to a startup that has experienced sudden and significant growth, often due to a successful product launch or market strategy.Breakout StartupBreakout Startup refers to a company that has shown potential for rapid growth and significant market impact after its initial development phase.Brick and MortarBrick and Mortar refers to businesses that have physical locations as opposed to or in addition to an online presence, affecting their fundraising strategies and capital requirements.Bridge FinancingBridge Financing is a short-term loan provided to a company to cover expenses until long-term financing is secured or an expected event generating cash flow occurs.Bridge InvestmentBridge Investment is temporary funding that supports a startup between rounds of financing, helping to extend its runway until the next major funding event.Bridge LoanBridge Loan is a short-term financing option used by companies to cover immediate expenses until longer-term financing is secured.Bridge NoteBridge Note is a short-term debt instrument used by startups to raise funds quickly, typically convertible into equity at a later financing round.Bridge RoundBridge Round is interim financing intended to carry a startup from one major funding round to the next, often used to cover short-term financial needs.