Introduction

In Part I of our series on term sheets, Closing Time hosts Halle Tecco and Michael Esquivel tackle the reverberations from the term sheets of yesteryear. With the generous valuations and optimistic multiples of 2021—many startups now find themselves struggling to justify these figures in the current economic climate. 

The hosts delve into the nuanced reality of flat and down rounds, dissecting their implications for founders and investors alike. They posit that while no one truly wins in a down round, it's a shared and necessary hurdle in the long race of business growth. Addressing the trend that "flat is the new up," they emphasize the importance of clean terms during down rounds, and suggest strategies to minimize the impact on employee morale and equity.