The complete 2026 guide to startup funding rounds — typical round sizes, valuations, metrics expected, and what each round is really for.

A bridge round is interim financing between two priced rounds. Here's when bridges help, when they signal distress, and how to structure them cleanly.

A convertible note is short-term debt that converts into equity at the next priced round. Here's how interest, maturity, cap, and discount actually work.

A cap table is the single source of truth for who owns what in your company. Here's how to build, maintain, and model one for every round.

Corporate venture arms write some of the biggest checks in 2026. Here's when strategic capital helps, when it hurts, and what to negotiate first.

A down round is a financing at a lower valuation than the previous round. Here's what triggers one, who it hurts most, and how to structure around it.