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Guest Contributor 1/11/23 Guest Contributor 1/11/23

Extending for Success: The Rising Trend of Extension Rounds and the Importance of Due Diligence

In light of a slowing market, companies that have already secured venture capital funding are increasingly resorting to extension rounds as a means of obtaining additional capital in an attempt to avoid a down round financing and extend their runway until the fundraising environment improves. Extension rounds can provide several strategic benefits for startups.

COVID-19 and Down-Round Financings

By Jeremy Glaser, Sebastian Lucier, and Sebastian A. Bacon

Although no one can predict the long-term economic impact of COVID-19, early indications show similarities to the last significant economic downturn that started in 2008. During that period, venture capital investment decreased significantly both domestically and abroad — in the first quarter of 2009, alone, there were double-digit declines in venture financings. The decrease in available capital during that time period led to a significant uptick in financing rounds at lower valuations than in previous rounds, or so-called “down-round financings.” Companies should be prepared for a similar occurrence, and be ready to take precautionary steps in order to minimize risks relating to a down-round financing.