What are the funding stages for a start-up?
The financing phases of a startup include different stages of capital raising, ranging from the seed phase to Series A, B, C and beyond, to support the development, growth and scaling of the company.
What is an external round and why is it important for start-ups?
An external round is a financing round in which start-ups raise capital from external investors, such as venture capital firms, business angels or other investors, in order to finance growth and expansion.
What does ‘exit’ mean, and what role does it play in the context of start-ups?
The term "exit" refers to the strategy used by founders, investors or owners to sell or reduce their stake in a company, typically through a sale, merger, takeover or initial public offering (IPO).
What is EXIST, and what role does the programme play for start-ups originating from the academic sector?
EXIST is a funding programme of the German federal government that aims to support innovative start-up projects from the world of science.
What is an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and why is it important?
An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is an employee share ownership programme that offers employees the opportunity to acquire shares in the company, often at discounted conditions.