The Term Sheet

In the first episode of our Preferred Stock Series, Thompson Hine New Ventures associate Danny Burns breaks down the startup term sheet—the non-binding blueprint that drives venture deals. Learn the difference between investor-led and company-led rounds and what “market-standard” really means. We cover the key terms that matter most—valuation, liquidation preferences, board composition, protective provisions, founder vesting, information rights, antidilution, and exclusivity—plus which boilerplate provisions are usually safe to de-prioritize. Watch to understand how to navigate a cleaner, faster, and more effective financing process.