Down Round

In venture capital, a down round refers to a situation where a startup raises new capital at a lower valuation than its previous funding round.

For example, if a startup raised its first round of funding at a valuation of $10 million and its next round of funding is at a valuation of $8 million, that would be considered a down round. Down rounds can occur for a variety of reasons, such as a slowdown in the startup's growth or a change in market conditions.

Down rounds can have a negative impact on a startup, as they can reduce the value of the existing shareholders' stake in the company, and also make it harder for the company to raise capital in the future. It can also signal to the market that the company is struggling to meet its financial projections, which can negatively affect the company's reputation and make it harder for the company to attract customers, partners, and future investors.

For the investors, down rounds can mean that they are putting more money into the company for a smaller percentage of ownership, which can affect their potential returns. However, down rounds can also be an opportunity for startups to raise new capital at more favorable terms and conditions, or to bring in new investors who can provide valuable resources and expertise to help the company grow and develop.