Series A/B/C

Term from Venture Capital industry explained for recruiters

Series A, B, and C refer to different stages of startup funding that companies receive from investors. These terms appear when a startup grows and needs more money to expand. Series A is usually the first major round of funding after initial seed money, Series B helps companies grow bigger, and Series C is for well-established startups ready to expand significantly or prepare for going public. It's like watching a company grow from a small shop to a large business, with each series representing a new growth chapter.

Examples in Resumes

Led due diligence process for multiple Series A investments totaling $30M

Managed portfolio of companies from Series B to Series C rounds

Successfully closed Series A, Series B, and Series C rounds raising over $150M total

Typical job title: "Venture Capital Associates"

Also try searching for:

Investment Associate VC Analyst Investment Professional Principal Venture Partner Investment Manager Deal Flow Manager

Where to Find Venture Capital Associates

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you evaluate whether a company is ready for Series B funding?

Expected Answer: Should discuss looking at company's growth metrics, market size, revenue trajectory, team expansion needs, and how previous funding was used. Should mention importance of product-market fit and scalable business model.

Q: What are the key differences between Series A and Series C rounds in terms of investor expectations?

Expected Answer: Should explain how Series A focuses on potential and early traction, while Series C investors look for proven business models, significant revenue, and clear paths to profitability or exit strategies.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What typical metrics do you look for in a Series A company?

Expected Answer: Should mention user growth, initial revenue figures, market opportunity, founder experience, and early product validation. Should understand basic unit economics and growth indicators.

Q: How do you structure a typical Series B term sheet?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain key elements like valuation, voting rights, board seats, anti-dilution provisions, and protective provisions in simple terms.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the typical size range for Series A funding rounds?

Expected Answer: Should know current market ranges for Series A investments (typically $2M-15M), and understand how this varies by industry and region.

Q: Explain the basic difference between Series A, B, and C rounds.

Expected Answer: Should explain that Series A is for early growth and product-market fit, Series B for scaling operations, and Series C for major expansion or preparation for IPO/acquisition.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic financial modeling
  • Market research and analysis
  • Understanding of startup metrics
  • Due diligence support

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Deal sourcing and evaluation
  • Term sheet negotiation
  • Portfolio company support
  • Investment memo writing

Senior (5+ years)

  • Lead deal execution
  • Investment strategy development
  • Board representation
  • Fund management

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No understanding of basic startup metrics
  • Lack of knowledge about standard deal terms
  • Unable to explain different funding stages
  • No experience with financial modeling
  • Poor understanding of due diligence process