Seed Round Term Sheet Template, Built to YC's Clean Standard

A term sheet is a signal, it tells you how your investor perceives risk before you've signed anything binding. This template is built on YC's clean term sheet standard: 1x non-participating liquidation preference, 2-1 founder board control, no warrant coverage, no cumulative dividends. It also flags the "dirty terms" that quietly cost founders control or economics later.

What you get:

• A complete seed term sheet template covering investment terms, preferred stock terms, governance, and founder vesting

• YC-standard guidance built into every clause liquidation preference, board composition, anti-dilution, and protective provisions

• A founder's guide to 6 "dirty terms" to watch for, including 2-2-1 board control and participating preferred

• A cap table appendix template to track pre- and post-investment ownership