If you're working at a late-stage startup, consider moving to an earlier-stage company for more responsibility and potentially better equity opportunities.

Investors know that founders want high valuations and often leverage this by offering a desired valuation while asking for unfavorable terms.

Investors often chase opportunities in startups, hoping to profit from future growth, which can lead to inflated valuations that may not be sustainable.

There are many terms in a funding deal that can negatively impact you, regardless of how high the valuation is.

In a non-priced round, investors often have a valuation cap that sets an upper limit on the company's valuation for future share conversions, rewarding early investors with more shares if the company grows significantly.

The ZIRP era saw an explosion of unicorns, with companies achieving billion-dollar valuations at an unprecedented rate, which diluted the rarity of such valuations.

The lead investor in a priced round typically negotiates the creation of an option pool for new employees, which can dilute existing shareholders but not the new money being invested.

It's crucial for founders to understand their dilution when raising money through SAFEs or convertible notes, as they may end up owning significantly less of the company than expected after a priced round.

Valuation refers to the estimated worth of a startup based on the last investment round, but it doesn't guarantee a liquid market like in public companies, making it more of a measure of perceived value.