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By Luis Pareras Published by Greenbranch Publishing, LLC Copyright 2012 by Greenbranch Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Many healthcare entrepreneurs understand very well the economic aspects of the negotiation. But there are other aspects equal to or even more important that should not be overlooked. When investors analyze a venture capital investment, fundamentally they are looking for: Getting the maximum return on their investment. Reducing to the minimum their risk in the investment. Controlling the possible conflicts of interest that inevitably can emerge during the relationship with the entrepreneurs. Therefore, regardless of the companys valuation, investors and entrepreneurs should tackle a series of questions in order to allow the investors to: Align the interests of both parties and push all of them in the same direction (incentives, stock options, and so on). Protect their investment. Control the decisions that are being made in the company (where the money is invested). Therefore, the possibility that the negotiation ends successfully depends on the capacity of both parties to reach a good relationship framework, and regulate their future coexistence by a series of agreements that minimize the conflicts of interest. These mechanisms and financial instruments that the investors and entrepreneurs use to design and structure their investment agreements are known as deal structure which once negotiated and approved, allow for the shaping of the relationship that is being initiated (Figure 1). Logically, each side has its own point of view and objectives to defend, and it is not an easy negotiation. From the investors point of view, the best agreement is one that: Provides common incentives to both parties for, on one hand, the company to grow and to have the maximum possible profits and, on the other hand, to protect their interests. Allows an exit from the company (disinvestment) at the most opportune moment so that the investors can reap their efforts. From the entrepreneurs point of view, there is the wish to retain the highest percentage of ownership of the company as possible for themselves. This makes sense because the entrepreneurs are betting a lot on their project and should feel that the company belongs to them in good proportion. Contrary to the fear many entrepreneurs have, this discussion usually ends up being fair for both the venture capitalists and the entrepreneurs, 1
FIGURE 1.
Deal Structure for the Healthcare Entrepreneur: A Guide to Achieve Maximum Return, Minimal Risk and Maintain Control of the Decision Making Process
Deal Structure for the Healthcare Entrepreneur: A Guide to Achieve Maximum Return, Minimal Risk and Maintain Control of the Decision Making Process
given that if the entrepreneurs lose too much ownership in the company and end up with a very small percentage of participation, they can lose the motivation and enthusiasm in the project, and this does not benefit anybody. Investors know that the entrepreneurs leadership is fundamental for the future success of the company and as we will see, they try not to stretch beyond what is reasonable at this point. In this report we will see 21 issues that should be negotiated with the venture capitalists before arriving at a definitive agreement.1 The reader will notice that we will use a specialized jargon that is used continually in the sector. Perhaps the terminology is unknown to healthcare professionals but we will make an effort to explain it in the most comprehensive way, because it is worth the pain for the entrepreneurs to have a general understanding of the terms that are used during negotiations.
Creating the conditions for a satisfactory exit from the company on behalf of the venture capitalists (disinvestment). Capturing clients or important partners for the future of the company, among many others.
For example, frequently the entrepreneurs that are leaving make an agreement on the sale of shares at nominal cost price. If on the other hand, it is a sickness or retirement, it can have been agreed that the entrepreneurs receive the total value of all their shares or that they can retain a part of them.
lack the technical knowledge needed to evaluate the managers decisions in the new company. Given that the investors contribute a good part of the necessary money for the running of it, it is logical and understandable that they develop a series of provisions and mechanisms to protect their investment. These issues also will have to be dealt with in the venture capital negotiations and they include: Phased investment, contribution of capital by milestones. Preferred stock versus common stock shares. Convertible debt versus normal debt. Common stock purchase rights tied to (poor) performance (call option). Obligatory share redemption (put option). Automatic conversion in certain situations. Antidilution provisions. Restrictions on the transfer of control. Issuing of new shares. Preferences of liquidation. Shares sale rights. Circuits and access rights to the companys information.
lose the total amount, but only $300,000. The previous example is a good model of financing in milestones intra-round. One million dollars is solicited and capital is contributed in milestones. Another variant of the investment in stages is the inter-round, that is more complex, but for now will remain outside the scope of this report. Lets suppose that the same entrepreneurs have successfully completed their first year of company activity, have already sold the 1,000 units and are planning an ambitious expansion to sell those devices throughout the world. The second year they want to dedicate their efforts to expanding sales through Europe, and the third year to the whole world. It is likely then that they need to ask for more money to finance the accelerated growth of the sales. In this case, the entrepreneurs can decide then to go for a second round of financing (asking for $3,000,000), and after, a third round of financing (asking for $6,000,000). These different rounds are considered different investments, and different venture capital companies participate. The investment in milestones therefore allows: The venture capitalists have the option of leaving or of reevaluating the project, basing the decision on the new information that they have about its evolution. Better management of the possible conflicts between entrepreneurs and investors, aligning both parties objectives.
designated in the first place to pay the debt (banks, creditors, and so on); in the second place, the convertible debt will be paid (we will look at this later); next, the preferred stock; and lastly, the common stock. Common stock does have some advantages. These shares have the best potential of earning profits, and therefore the investors are going to convert their preferred stock to common stock as risk decreases and the company becomes more solid. The common stock also provides a greater degree of rights over the control of the company.
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luted with the entrance of new capital growth. Venture capital deals usually include antidilution provisions whose objective is, as its name indicates, to avoid the dilution when a new partner enters the company. These provisions are instrumental in the form of options that allow conversion of preferred stock into common stock at a price that compensates the entry of new capital.
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This makes them very predictable, because: If the company is going very well, they will want to inject more money in order to increase their investment to the maximum If the company is going well, they will look for a buyer for their shares, usually in the same sector where the new company operates. If the company is going poorly, they will want to liquidate it (selling their shares, although usually at a lower price than their real value). Therefore, investors try to put into writing that they have preference to profit from the remains of the company in case of liquidation, until recouping 100 percent of the value of their shares, and from that moment on the entrepreneurs will also begin to profit from their own shares.
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The presence of one or more members of the venture capital company on the Board of Directors. Veto rights.
CONCLUSIONS
These 21 issues are necessary to pay attention to during the venture capital negotiation. One cannot forget, in any case, that the interest of both parties is the same: to make the company succeed. It is common that these tricky topics be tackled as part of negotiating an agreement and establishing a healthy and honest reference framework for the relationship. If the company does well, a confident relationship is established between both parties generating trust that will allow teamwork. The venture capitalist and the entrepreneur are very motivated to move this forward and to collaborate, and a good combination of incentives and obligations on each part will contribute to its success without a doubt.
Deal Structure for the Healthcare Entrepreneur: A Guide to Achieve Maximum Return, Minimal Risk and Maintain Control of the Decision Making Process
Bibliography
(1) ROURE, Juan; SEGURADO, Juan Luis. Negociando una operacion de capital riesgo (II): estructuacin del acuerdo e intrumentos contractuales, IESE publishing, 2-606023, EN-11, 2005.