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Case
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Reference no. SMU-23-0029
Published by: Singapore Management University
Originally published in: 2024
Version: 2024-01-10
Length: 9 pages
Data source: Field research

Abstract

Rodney Yap, co-founder and CEO of Usertip, a digital adoption platform tech start-up, had completed a pre-seed funding round for the company. Yap and his co-founders had leveraged Singapore's tech hub status and government support for digital innovation to develop software that would help train users on new technologies, thereby improving a firm's productivity. Along with private individuals, venture capital firm Protégé Ventures was one of Usertip's early investors. Protégé Ventures was founded by the Singapore Management University's Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Kairos ASEAN to allow students at tertiary institutions in Singapore to try their hand at venture investing. With Usertip asking for a SGD3 million (USD2.22 million) post-money valuation, Protégé Ventures invested SGD30,000 (USD22,000) using a Convertible Agreement Regarding Equity (CARE). While the individual investors chose to take a direct equity stake, Protégé Ventures' CARE included a 20% discount rate but without a valuation cap. Did Yap get a good deal?

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in 2022.

Geographical setting

Country:
Singapore

About

Abstract

Rodney Yap, co-founder and CEO of Usertip, a digital adoption platform tech start-up, had completed a pre-seed funding round for the company. Yap and his co-founders had leveraged Singapore's tech hub status and government support for digital innovation to develop software that would help train users on new technologies, thereby improving a firm's productivity. Along with private individuals, venture capital firm Protégé Ventures was one of Usertip's early investors. Protégé Ventures was founded by the Singapore Management University's Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Kairos ASEAN to allow students at tertiary institutions in Singapore to try their hand at venture investing. With Usertip asking for a SGD3 million (USD2.22 million) post-money valuation, Protégé Ventures invested SGD30,000 (USD22,000) using a Convertible Agreement Regarding Equity (CARE). While the individual investors chose to take a direct equity stake, Protégé Ventures' CARE included a 20% discount rate but without a valuation cap. Did Yap get a good deal?

Settings

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in 2022.

Geographical setting

Country:
Singapore

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