The Deal – Term Sheet Negotiation (Live!)
You’ve attracted a lead investor, and now they’ve sent a Term Sheet. What do you do next? Most founders sign too quickly or negotiate blindly — and pay the price later.
This is the third session of the Startup Fundraising & Legal Bootcamp, a 4-part interactive series by Home of Innovation (HOIV) x Schoenherr Attorneys at Law. In this session, we go beyond theory and walk through a real VC Term Sheet line by line, showing what investors care about, what you can negotiate, and what could silently cost you control or ownership.
🔍 What You’ll Learn
Simulation: Watch a live negotiation of “Economics vs. Control” — see in real time how terms are pushed and defended
Line-by-Line Analysis: Liquidation preferences, veto rights, board seats, and more — understand what each clause really means for your startup
The “Standard” Lie: Why “standard” terms are rarely standard, and how to spot hidden traps
Deal Breakers: Identify clauses that can destroy your leverage or exit potential
This interactive workshop gives you a practical, behind-the-scenes view of VC negotiations, including the psychology and priorities of investors. You’ll leave with the confidence to analyze any Term Sheet critically and negotiate strategically — before it’s too late.
🎤 About the Speaker
Dominik Tyrybon | Attorney at Law, Schoenherr
Dominik is a lead expert in Schoenherr’s Start-up & Venture Capital practice, guiding founders through early-stage convertibles, priced rounds, and complex negotiations. His sessions are packed with real-world examples, showing what works, what fails, and why.
About the Series
This workshop is the third in a 4-part series covering the startup funding lifecycle, from your first check to exit. While you can join individually, attending the previous workshops ensures you understand foundational topics like entity setup and convertibles — knowledge that will make this session even more actionable.
Designed for startup founders — no legal background required.
By the end of this session, you’ll know how to read, analyze, and negotiate Term Sheets confidently, identify your leverage, and avoid deal-breaking mistakes.