27. Negotiations for founders & startups | Mariane Bekker

This week we’re sharing a live workshop we hosted with Marianne Bekker (Managing Partner, Founders Bay) on how founders can negotiate across every phase of the startup journey, from co-founder splits to investor terms, design partners, vendors, and early hires. Gerta walks through a practical framework for keeping leverage, avoiding common traps (like giving numbers/ranges), and aligning deals to the right priorities rather than the loudest ones.Our presentation covers:The founder negotiation map: co-founders, investors, early employees/contractors, advisors, vendors, design partners, customers, and M&AHow to preserve leverage (and why you should almost never give numbers or ranges)- Crafting your priority stack (price now vs. lifetime value, brand/reputation, referrals, timelines) and marking true non-negotiablesDesign-partner dynamics: avoiding excessive customization and setting scope, time, and compensationVendor contracts 101: price, scope, timelines, royalties, exclusivity, and when to push vs. tradeInvestor terms beyond valuation: board seats, control, and post-deal involvementIn-person moments: why you shouldn’t negotiate on the spot (and what to do instead)A founder’s job is nonstop negotiation, and this workshop gives you the scripts, structure, and judgment to secure better terms without burning bridges.For more:Book free consultation call with Alex: CalendlyGet our free negotiation worksheet: YourNegotiations.comRead our weekly newsletter: NewsletterInstagram: @yournegotiationsLinkedIn: Gerta | Alex