aqui-dump

Definition

When a company acquires a startup primarily to shut it down and eliminate competition, rather than to integrate talent or technology. It's the evil twin of acqui-hire where everyone loses except the shareholders.

Example Usage

Facebook's acquisition of tbh was rumored to be an aqui-dump to remove a potential threat to their teen user base.

Origin

Portmanteau of 'acquisition' and 'dump,' emerged in tech journalism around 2015

Fun Fact

Companies rarely admit to aqui-dumps due to antitrust concerns, so they're usually disguised as failed integration attempts.

Source: Tech industry insider terminology

Related Terms

Intermediate

lock-up period

A contractual restriction preventing insiders from selling shares after an IPO, typically 90-180 days. Because letting founders dump all their stock on day one would be honest but catastrophic for stock price.

🚀 Startup / VC

Intermediate

give-to-get

The VC expectation that founders will make introductions, provide advice, and help other portfolio companies in exchange for investment and support. Networking as a contractual obligation.

🚀 Startup / VC

Intermediate

co-sale rights

Also called tag-along rights, these allow minority shareholders to join a sale transaction if majority holders are selling their shares. The 'if you're abandoning ship, I'm coming too' clause.

🚀 Startup / VC

Beginner

deck fatigue

The exhaustion investors feel after reviewing hundreds of pitch decks that all blur together with the same buzzwords and hockey stick projections. It's why your 'revolutionary AI blockchain solution' makes their eyes glaze over.

🚀 Startup / VC

Advanced

posted valuation

The company valuation publicly announced or reported in the press, which may differ from the effective valuation once liquidation preferences and other terms are factored in. It's the Instagram filter for startup valuations.

🚀 Startup / VC

Advanced

equity kicker

Warrants or stock options added as sweetener to a debt deal, giving lenders upside if the company succeeds. Because apparently charging interest isn't enough—they want a piece of the action too.

🚀 Startup / VC

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