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The Essential Guide to Liquidation Preferences

By Christopher A. Grew

A liquidation preference gives the VC investor a “first right” to any proceeds available to shareholders in the event of a liquidation or trade sale of the company. Although a liquidation preference provides the VC investor with downside protection by giving them the first money out of the company that is paid to shareholders, it can also significantly increase the upside to an investment.

A non-participating liquidation preference means the preferred shareholders can get their investment back upon a trade sale or liquidation of the company, with the balance of the proceeds going to the holders of ordinary shares. If the ordinary shareholders would get more per share than the preferred shareholders under this approach, the preferred shareholders can voluntarily convert their preference shares into ordinary shares and share pro rata in the proceeds.

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