| I've been through a lesser version. Ended up negotiating a payment plan that got me 4.5k on 7k, which, as these things go, is a huge win. The people saying you're lucky to get 20c on the dollar are dead on. 1) Do not assume that 3.5M is spent. Start inquiring pointedly, then aggressively, about exactly what remains. The odds are good that they're putting they payment of other bills above yours. Your job is to convince them that shorting you is going to hurt them more than shorting hubspot et al. 2) Explore your legal options with an emphasis on publicity. That COO isn't trying very hard. Their tune might change when it's spelled out for them that their mishandling of this situation will come up in the first page of results when their next potential employer googles them. 3) Let them know you're about to wardial every investor in the state. This person wants to raise money? Then it would behoove this person to pay you before you call every shop in town and let them know what's going down. (In reality, the wardialing strategy will do nothing, it's the fear factor that matters here) 4) Do not agree to any delay that isn't contractually backed.
They need to pay you SOMETHING upfront, and if they want to talk about paying you later, that ink needs to be dry within 48 hours. 5) Call their landlord (after first warning them that you're about to call their landlord). Let them know that they're about to get run out on, and should start conversations now. (Again, it's not that the landlord is really going to act that fast, it's the gut wrenchingness of FEELING like your landlord is going to act that fast) Basically, you're to treat this org as a hostile entity, and you are to make every waking moment for them as anxious as possible for as many people as possible. Call their spouse and let them know that the party's over. How much noise can you make, and how much pain can you convince them is headed their way? If they owe you 25k, your job now is causing them 26+k of pain as acutely as possible. Go for the throat. Remember, as long as the CEO hasn't sold their car and taken their kid out of private school, it's not that they "can't" pay you, it's that they "won't". There are always options. And then, next time, for fucks sake, 50% upfront and a compounding non-payment clause. Can't buy food with good intentions. |