What is PeopleAnalyst?

PeopleAnalyst is the front door for people-analytics research: 205+ works indexed and profiled, 40+ citation-grade findings extracted, and peer-reviewed behavioral science translated from academic to actionable — the missing manual for the people analytics you always meant to do.

What is people analytics?

People analytics is not a dashboard. It is behavioral science and statistical inference applied to workforce decisions — a discipline with its own methodology, spanning measurement, organizational design, talent, leadership, and analytics craft.

Why does AI in HR need measurement science?

AI is being deployed in high-stakes people decisions — hiring, performance, attrition — without the measurement science to evaluate whether it works or whom it harms. Construct validity, effect sizes, and criterion validity are the vocabulary for asking an AI vendor the right questions.

How is the research made accessible?

The evidence is indexed and searchable: 205+ works, 40+ citation-grade insight cards, and 8 research arcs, so the right finding reaches the right decision at the right time.

What separates good people measurement from assertion?

Good measurement has a method: construct validity, reliability, and effect-size interpretation are not optional — they are what separates evidence from assertion.

library / lib6c6a6383e70ba921

Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist

Brad Feld, Jason Mendelson · 2019

In a sentence

A comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs to demystify venture capital financing, master term sheet negotiations, and build successful, long-term partnerships with investors.

Venture Deals is the definitive playbook for any entrepreneur looking to raise capital. Written by two experienced venture capitalists, Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson, this book pulls back the curtain on the opaque world of startup financing. It provides a balanced, insider's perspective, translating complex legal jargon into plain English and focusing on the two things that truly matter in any deal: economics and control. From preparing for fundraising and finding the right investors to navigating the nuances of term sheets, convertible debt, and M&A letters of intent, this guide equips founders with the knowledge and confidence to be smarter than their lawyers and VCs. By understanding the motivations, mechanics, and negotiation tactics of the venture world, entrepreneurs can avoid costly pitfalls, secure a fair deal, and build a strong foundation for a successful company and a lasting investor partnership.

The four lenses

Science
Statistics
Systems
Strategy

The model

This model, inferred from 'Venture Deals', illustrates how an entrepreneur's knowledge, preparation, and process execution influence negotiation dynamics and investor perceptions, ultimately leading to more favorable deal terms, stronger investor partnerships, and increased likelihood of long-term company success.

Entrepreneur Deal Knowledgedesign lever

The entrepreneur's understanding of venture financing terms (e.g., liquidation preference, antidilution), venture capital fund mechanics, legal structures, and effective negotiation strategies.

Entrepreneur Preparednessdesign lever

The state of the company's readiness for a fundraising process, including the quality and organization of fundraising materials, financial models, legal documentation (e.g., incorporation, IP assignments), and a clear strategic plan.

Effective Fundraising Processbehavioral pattern

The quality of the entrepreneur's execution of the fundraising campaign, including targeting appropriate investors, managing communication, and strategically timing interactions to create a competitive dynamic.

Deal Competitioncontextual condition

The market condition where multiple, viable investors are simultaneously and seriously pursuing an investment in the company, often resulting in multiple term sheets.

Investor Quality and Reputationcontextual condition

The perceived experience, integrity, helpfulness, and track record of the venture capital firm and the specific partner leading the deal.

Entrepreneurial Negotiation Leveragepsychological state

The entrepreneur's perceived power and ability to influence the outcome of the term sheet negotiation, derived primarily from having attractive alternatives to the current deal (BATNA).

Investor Perception of Entrepreneurpsychological state

The investor's subjective assessment of the entrepreneur's competence, trustworthiness, preparation, and sophistication based on interactions during the fundraising and negotiation process.

Incentive Alignmentpsychological state

The degree to which the economic and control terms of the financing structure create shared, rather than conflicting, objectives for the entrepreneur and investors regarding the company's future.

Favorable Deal Termsoutcome metric

The final agreed-upon economic and control provisions that are fair to the entrepreneur, balancing investor protection with founder ownership, control, and motivation.

Strong Investor Partnershipoutcome metric

The post-investment quality of the working relationship between the entrepreneur and the investor, characterized by mutual trust, respect, and constructive collaboration.

Long-Term Company Successoutcome metric

The ultimate positive outcome for the venture, such as a successful exit via acquisition or IPO, or achieving sustainable profitability and market leadership.

How they connect

entrepreneur deal knowledge → influences entrepreneurial negotiation leverage
entrepreneur deal knowledge → influences investor perception of entrepreneur
entrepreneur preparedness → influences investor perception of entrepreneur
effective fundraising process → predicts deal competition
deal competition → predicts entrepreneurial negotiation leverage
entrepreneurial negotiation leverage → predicts favorable deal terms
investor perception of entrepreneur → influences favorable deal terms
investor quality and reputation → predicts strong investor partnership
favorable deal terms → predicts incentive alignment
incentive alignment → influences strong investor partnership
favorable deal terms → influences strong investor partnership
strong investor partnership → influences long term company success
favorable deal terms → influences long term company success

The story

The reader An ambitious entrepreneur—aspiring, first-time, or experienced—who needs to raise capital to build their high-growth company but is unfamiliar with the complex venture financing process.

External problem

The entrepreneur must navigate the opaque and intimidating world of venture capital fundraising, which involves complex term sheets filled with legal jargon and unfamiliar concepts.

Internal problem

They feel anxious, uninformed, and at a significant disadvantage when dealing with seasoned VCs and lawyers, fearing they will make costly mistakes that will cause them to lose ownership and control of their company.

Philosophical problem

It's simply wrong that founders, the very creators of innovation and value, should be at an informational disadvantage and risk getting a bad deal because the fundraising process is shrouded in mystery.

The plan

Learn about all the players in a financing and what motivates them.
Understand how to prepare for and run an effective fundraising process.
Master the key economic and control terms of the term sheet.
Develop effective negotiation tactics to achieve a fair, win-win outcome.
Close your financing with confidence and get back to building your company with a strong investor partnership.

Success

Confidently navigate the fundraising process and negotiate favorable terms.
Secure the necessary capital while retaining significant ownership and control.
Build a strong, collaborative partnership with investors based on aligned incentives.
Avoid common pitfalls and costly mistakes in financing deals.
Focus your energy on building a great and successful company.

At stake

Accept a bad deal with predatory terms that cripple the company or demotivate the founders.
Give away too much equity and control for too little capital.
Damage the crucial relationship with investors from the very beginning.
Fail to raise money altogether, putting the company's future at risk.

Questions this book answers

What are the key economic and control terms in a venture capital term sheet and how do they impact the entrepreneur's outcome?
How do venture capital funds operate and what truly motivates venture capitalists?
How should an entrepreneur effectively prepare for and manage the fundraising process to create competition and secure the best deal?
What are the most effective negotiation tactics for a venture financing, and what common mistakes should be avoided?
What are the pros and cons of alternative financing instruments like convertible debt, SAFEs, crowdfunding, and venture debt?

Glossary

Entrepreneur Deal Knowledge: The entrepreneur's functional understanding of the key economic and control terms in a venture financing, the mechanics of venture capital funds, and effective negotiation strategies.
Entrepreneur Preparedness: The state of a company's readiness for a fundraising process, demonstrated by having organized, high-quality materials and clean legal and intellectual property documentation.
Effective Fundraising Process: The quality of the entrepreneur's strategic execution of the fundraising campaign, focused on creating a competitive dynamic among potential investors.
Deal Competition: A market condition where multiple, qualified investors are simultaneously and seriously vying to lead the company's financing round.
Investor Quality and Reputation: The perceived competence, integrity, helpfulness, and performance track record of the venture capital firm and the specific partner who would join the board.
Entrepreneurial Negotiation Leverage: The entrepreneur's perceived power and ability to influence the outcome of the term sheet negotiation, derived from having attractive alternatives to the current deal (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement - BATNA).
Investor Perception of Entrepreneur: The investor's subjective evaluation of the entrepreneur's capabilities, professionalism, trustworthiness, and overall quality as a potential long-term partner.
Incentive Alignment: The degree to which the finalized deal structure ensures that both entrepreneurs and investors are motivated to pursue the same goals, particularly in various exit scenarios.