Daniel Weiss
Startup Finance Editor at Round Funded
Daniel breaks down the money mechanics of a raise for Round Funded: SAFEs, cap tables, valuations, dilution, and burn, in plain founder language.
Articles by Daniel Weiss
Flowlie Alternatives: 6 Investor-Matching Tools (2026)
Comparing Flowlie alternatives in 2026? See how OpenVC, AngelMatch, Foundersuite, and Round Funded compare on finding and reaching investors fast.
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Sweat Equity for Startup Founders: How It Works in 2026
Sweat equity for startup founders in 2026: how vesting, the 83(b) election, and dilution actually work, plus how to raise on Round Funded.
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The YC SAFE Explained: Post-Money SAFE, Caps, Dilution
The YC SAFE explained: how the 2018 post-money switch changed dilution math, a worked cap example, stacking risk, and where Round Funded fits.
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409A Valuation Explained: A Founder Guide (2026)
What a 409A valuation is, how it sets your strike price, what it costs, how often to refresh it, and how it differs from your fundraising valuation. Plus Round Funded.
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ARR vs MRR: What Investors Want to See (2026)
ARR vs MRR explained for founders: the definitions, the formulas, which metric to use when, and what investors want. A plain SaaS metrics guide, plus Round Funded.
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Bridge Round Explained: When and How (2026)
What a bridge round is, when to raise one, how it is structured on a SAFE or note, and the risks. A plain founder guide to bridge financing, plus Round Funded.
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Cap Table Template: How to Build One (2026)
How to build a startup cap table from a template, the exact columns to include, a worked example, and the tools founders use. A step-by-step guide, plus Round Funded.
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Cash Runway Explained: How to Calculate It (2026)
What cash runway is, the formula to calculate it, how much runway to keep before raising, and how to extend it. A plain founder guide, plus Round Funded.
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Convertible Note vs SAFE: Which to Use (2026)
Convertible note vs SAFE compared for founders: debt vs not-debt, interest and maturity, the pros and cons, and when to use each. A plain guide, plus Round Funded.
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Down Round Explained: How to Handle One (2026)
What a down round is, why it happens, how anti-dilution hurts founders, and how to avoid or survive one. A plain founder guide for tough markets, plus Round Funded.
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Elevator Pitch Examples for Startups (2026)
12 elevator pitch examples for startups that actually work in 2026, the 3-sentence formula behind them, and how to write yours for investors in minutes.
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Founder Vesting Schedule Explained (2026 Guide)
What founder vesting is, the standard 4-year schedule with a 1-year cliff, why investors require it, and how to protect yourself. A plain founder guide, plus Round Funded.
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How Much Equity to Give Investors (2026 Guide)
How much equity to give investors at pre-seed, seed, and Series A, the standard ranges, and how to give up less for the same money. A founder guide, plus Round Funded.
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How to Calculate Burn Rate (and Runway) in 2026
Learn how to calculate gross and net burn rate, turn it into runway, and know the numbers investors expect. A plain guide for founders, plus Round Funded.
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How to Value a Startup in 2026 (Founder Methods)
How to value a startup in 2026: the methods investors actually use by stage, revenue multiples, SAFE cap logic, and the calculators that do the math.
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Liquidation Preference Explained for Founders (2026)
What a liquidation preference is, how 1x non-participating vs participating works, and why it can pay investors before founders. A plain guide, plus Round Funded.
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Pre-Money vs Post-Money Valuation (2026 Guide)
Pre-money vs post-money valuation explained simply, with the math, a worked example, and why the option pool changes your dilution. A founder guide, plus Round Funded.
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SAFE Notes Explained: Caps, Discounts, SAFE vs Note
SAFE notes explained for founders in 2026: how valuation caps and discounts work, post-money vs pre-money SAFEs, dilution math, and SAFE vs convertible note.
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Startup Equity Dilution Explained (2026 Founder Guide)
What dilution is, how each round shrinks your ownership, a worked seed-to-Series-A example, and how to protect your slice. A plain guide for founders, plus Round Funded.
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Startup Financial Model for a Seed Round (2026)
How to build a startup financial model for a seed round: the three statements, key assumptions, what investors check, and a simple structure. A plain guide, plus Round Funded.
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How to Read a Term Sheet: A Founder Guide (2026)
How to read a startup term sheet, the economic and control terms that matter, the red flags to catch, and how to negotiate. A plain founder guide, plus Round Funded.
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Venture Debt for Startups: A 2026 Founder Guide
What venture debt is, how it works, when to use it, real cost and terms, and how it compares to equity. Learn to extend runway without over-diluting, plus Round Funded.
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What Is a Cap Table? A Founder Guide for 2026
A cap table shows who owns what in your startup. Learn how to read one, what fully-diluted means, common mistakes, and the tools founders use. Plus Round Funded.
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How Much Equity Does YC Take in 2026? The $500K Deal Math
Y Combinator takes 7% for $125K plus a $375K uncapped MFN SAFE. The full math of the YC standard deal in 2026, with a worked dilution example and comparisons.
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MOIC vs IRR: A Founder's Guide to Investor Math
MOIC vs IRR explained for founders: formulas, worked examples, what VCs target, and why a 3x multiple can be a great or terrible return depending on time.
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