[amorphid]

Say investors own 60% of the company. In an acquisition worth $220 million, 60% of the company would be worth $132 million. It's common for investors to have a 2x liquidation preference, meaning they get up to twice their money back before anyone other shareholders get $1. $80 million invested means investors get $160 million, more than the $132 million. $60 million would be left over for the founders and employees. There's enough money there to be a life altering amount for many people.

[spullara]

If you see a 2x liquidation preference on a term sheet in this market I would be really surprised. Virtually every term sheet that isn't the one before an IPO or a recap will be non-participating preferred.

[amorphid]

I confess I'm not an M&A/finance/VC-funding wizard. Would you mind giving an example describing the scenario you describe?

[spullara]

Non-participating preferred means that either you are the first to get money off an exit up to the amount of your investment OR you convert to common and get your ownership percentage. For example, say you invested $10m into a company at $30m post and then owned 33%. If the company sold for $20m, you would get $10m and the common would split the remaining $10m. If the company sold for $30m you would get your $10m back either way. If the company sold for $100m, you would convert to common and get $33m.

[tommynicholas]

2x liquidation is not standard anymore - 1x is far more likely. This was an "up" acquisition too so it's possible they exceeded 2x for most if not all investors.