platform value-add

Definition

Services and resources VC firms provide beyond capital, such as recruiting help, PR support, or customer introductions. Marketing speak that ranges from genuinely useful to completely fictional.

Example Usage

Their platform value-add includes a dedicated talent team and events with Fortune 500 CTOs, though we've yet to see any actual introductions materialize.

Origin

Coined in the mid-2010s as VCs competed for deals in a founder-favoring market

Fun Fact

Studies show most founders rank 'not interfering' higher than platform services, but VCs can't exactly market themselves as 'we'll leave you alone.'

Source: Modern venture capital operations and marketing

Related Terms

Intermediate

exit

In startup land, the glorious moment when founders and investors finally cash out, either through acquisition or IPO, turning years of ramen dinners and sleepless nights into actual money. It's the entrepreneurial equivalent of winning the lottery, except you had to build the lottery first. Every VC's favorite word and every founder's obsession after their Series A.

🚀 Startup / VC

Intermediate

anchor investor

The first major investor who commits to a fund or round, giving others confidence to follow. Like the first person to dance at a party—everyone was waiting for someone brave (or drunk) enough to start.

🚀 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

qualified financing

A minimum funding round size (typically $1-2 million) that triggers the automatic conversion of SAFEs or convertible notes into equity. It's the threshold that separates real funding rounds from friends-and-family pocket change.

🚀 Startup / VC

Intermediate

dry powder

Unspent capital sitting in a VC fund, waiting to be deployed into investments. The ammunition that lets VCs act fast when hot deals emerge or support portfolio companies needing emergency cash.

🚀 Startup / VC

Intermediate

tourist investor

A venture capitalist or firm that sporadically invests in startups outside their expertise or thesis, usually during hype cycles. They show up for the party, leave before cleanup, and wonder why founders don't return their calls.

🚀 Startup / VC

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