Founders’ guides to equity, valuations, and company growth.
In the world of startups, founders often chase sky-high valuations to validate their success. However, high valuations can lead to disadvantages like overinflated expectations and increased risks of down rounds. Conversely, low valuations can lead to dilution of ownership in fundraising rounds and raise the risk of unfavorable acquisitions. One advantage of low business valuations …
Private equity investments, especially in startups, are notoriously illiquid. If a startup grows big enough, investors may breathe easy hoping for exits through initial public offerings (IPOs). However, trends are showing a significant decline in IPO volume and proceeds. Many startups are delaying their IPOs. This IPO dry spell has left investors searching for alternative …
In this edition of Founder Spotlight, we’re featuring Dr Evan Petkov, Founder and CEO of Optiml, who aims to address the challenges of achieving Net Zero in the real estate sector. The inception of Optiml originated from Dr. Petkov’s PhD research at ETH Zurich, where he developed optimization algorithms that integrate profitability with sustainability considerations. Optiml’s …
Did you know that in the first seven months of 2024, more than 19,000 mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have happened? The highly-competitive consumer products and services industry accounted for almost 6,000 of these deals. The high volume of deals in competitive industries makes business valuations very easy. After all, the main issue with private equity …
Most Fortune 500 companies, specifically 99%, implement open-source software. Open-source startups have collectively raised approximately $2.5 billion in funding, averaging $41.1 million per startup. This influx of capital indicates strong investor confidence in the open-source business model. While many startups are based in the U.S., there is notable representation from Europe, particularly Germany and the …
Welcome to the latest edition of the Founder Spotlight interview with Josh Puddle, the co-founder of MOMO Kombucha, a rapidly growing brand based in the UK known for its high-quality, organic Kombucha. Josh started the company with his wife, Lisa, after discovering Kombucha during a trip to New York in 2016. Inspired by the drink’s …
Global venture funding showed signs of recovery in Q2 2024, rising 5% from the previous quarter according to Bain & Company, bringing relief to entrepreneurs worldwide. This uptick continues a trend of steady growth in venture capital funding that began in Q4 2023. While current levels remain below the record highs of 2021, this consistent …
At Eqvista, we believe that an equity management platform is essential for successfully managing a growing business, enabling founders to efficiently handle equity as their companies expand. Keep reading to learn about our latest platform enhancements. Rule 701 Calculator – Determine your eligibility now! Check out our new accurate Rule 701 calculator, a game-changer for …
Welcome to the latest Founder Spotlight interview with Shiv Bhakta, Co-founder of Active Surfaces. Active Surfaces is a company specializing in innovative solar technology. The company aims to revolutionize solar energy deployment by creating ultra-thin, flexible solar panels that can be applied to various surfaces. This innovation significantly reduces installation costs and expands the potential …
Enron was an energy, commodities, and services company whose shocking malpractices shook the foundations of corporate America. The outcry of this scandal was so immense that it spawned various laws for raising the accounting standards for US companies, including the American Jobs Creation Act that introduced 409A regulations. These regulations govern the taxation and administration …
Advanced mathematical techniques and high-quality data analysis often give us confidence that the company valuations we came up with are rational and accurate. However, when we value companies, we are often required to make certain assumptions and decide whether certain ideas, hypotheses or information is relevant or not. These decisions can often be influenced by …
Welcome to the latest edition of the founder spotlight interview with Marco Ries, a prominent figure in the food technology sector who is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of ProteinDistillery. ProteinDistillery is a German food-tech startup focused on creating sustainable protein ingredients through innovative processes that utilize microorganisms, particularly by upcycling by-products from industries like …
The intellectual property (IP) valuation market in the United States has shown massive growth in 2023. According to Fortune Business Insights, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reported significant patent activity, with over 515,000 new applications received and around 340,000 patents granted in FY 2023, reflecting a robust demand for IP management tools. The process …
The estate and gift tax exemption sunset is drawing closer day-by-day. Right now, you could make lifetime estate and gift transfers of up to $13.61 million and not pay any taxes. However, from 2026 onwards, this limit could be reduced to $6.99 million, or even $5.49 million if inflation is not considered. Hence, many business …
As years went by, numerous types of equity interests have cropped up. New forms of equity interests like convertible securities and phantom stocks had to be created since investor needs evolved and equity compensation became a popular way to attract employees. Similarly, as business models and income sources evolved, so did the tax regulations. However, …
Welcome to another edition of Founders Spotlight! Today, we are featuring Adrián Senar, the CEO and co-founder of Kreios Space, a company dedicated to developing innovative electric propulsion technologies for satellites. Kreios Space aims to revolutionize the satellite industry by enabling the VLEO era. The company seeks to unlock new possibilities in Earth observation, telecommunications, …
Despite women accounting for 80% of the $3.6 trillion in healthcare spending, they are underrepresented in leadership positions within the industry. Only around 13% of chief executive officers in the healthcare sector are female. However, the landscape is changing. Women-led healthcare startups are making a significant impact. A staggering statistic from 2023 underscores this shift: …
Reddit is a dynamic platform founded in 2005, where users can explore a multitude of topics through community-driven discussions, making it a unique entity in the landscape of social media. As of October 2023, Reddit ranks as the 18th most visited website globally, with the vast majority of traffic coming from the US. Reddit has …
What comes to your mind when you think of gifting? Expensive accessories, fancy vacations, or even donations? Stocks, which may increase in value over time, are a better long-term gift than something that will eventually wear out. Furthermore, you can skip paying capital gains tax on the value increase through gifting instead of selling the …
In this edition of the Founder interview, we introduce Hazim Mohamad, Co-Founder and CEO of Coffeespace, a platform that connects individuals looking for cofounders or partners for startup ventures. Coffeespace has been experiencing growth through strategic partnerships and platform availability. Hazim aims to facilitate meaningful connections among aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of finding compatible …
Over 25,000 companies use Eqvista to simplify equity, stay compliant, and scale—whether hiring their first employee or closing their next round.