[fairity]

Why are people saying this seems like a bad deal?

If they really only raised $1.7b, per Crunchbase, then this seems to me like a very good outcome for everyone involved except its late stage investors. And, even for the late stage investors, they're breaking even.

[blindriver]

No. The last two investment tranches will get back their money, based on 1X liquidation preference. Employees who joined in the last 5 years if they got options are fucked. If they have RSUs then they will take a fraction of their equity.

It sounds like investors got out okay, but employees got fucked big time. It's a terrible exit and Brex waited too long until their growth stalled.

[Ancalagon]

Hopefully those who joined took the all-cash option when that was still available.

[swyx]

sorry how did employees get fucked? theres more money after the 1.7B.

[throwawa1]

Silicon Valley seems gamed against employees - it gets worse every year. Companies don't even share the cap table (including many YC companies).

[htrp]

I assume if you put in 100 mn at a 12 bn valuation in the last round, you're either getting 100 back at 1x pref or you're screwing over the common even more?

Considering the 12bn round was back in 21, I'd expect most of the employee base to be taking a haircut on the value of their options.

[bmau5]

assume it's the $1.2bn paid back to investors and then some divvying of the remaining amongst investors, founders, and common