One of the biggest decisions entrepreneurs face – and therefore one of the most critical, is opting to accept money from an angel, VC, private equity group, or incubator.
The temptation to take the first deal is enormous – you’ve struggled, maybe for years, and finally it looks like someone believes in you and you will be “in the money.”
Don’t sign. Pause. Breathe. Counter-offer.
While the investor has the best interests of the company at stake, this certainly isn’t synonymous with YOUR best interests.
I can’t tell you how many times I have seen an entrepreneur lose control of his own deal.
If you’ve been offered “benevolence” from an investor, or an incubator, let me take a look at the deal for you, offer you some thoughts. There is no fee for this. It’s kind of a “pay it forward” type of deal, or perhaps a payback for all the folks that have been mentors for me along the path.