BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Enterprise Explores  >  VC Fundraising: How Bad Term Sheets Kill Startups

VC Fundraising: How Bad Term Sheets Kill Startups

Dr. Sivapalan Vivekarajah, Co-Chair, Soonicorn Collective & Senior Partner, ScaleUp Malaysia | Fong Wai Hong, Chieftain & Co-Founder, Storehub

14-Apr-25 12:00

VC Fundraising: How Bad Term Sheets Kill Startups

Raising capital is a major milestone for any startup, but buried in the fine print of a term sheet could be clauses that haunt you for years. From clawbacks to poison pills, the wrong terms can quietly seal your startup’s pending death.

In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we speak with two ecosystem players who’ve seen both sides of the table: Dr. Sivapalan Vivekarajah, Co-Chair of the Soonicorn Collective and Senior Partner at ScaleUp Malaysia, and Fong Wai Hong, Co-Founder and Chieftain of StoreHub.

They break down the most dangerous clauses founders overlook, the rise of “PE-style” terms disguised as VC deals, and how choosing the wrong investor can kill future fundraising.

You’ll hear hard-earned advice on negotiating term sheets, spotting red flags, and why chasing inflated valuations could cost you more than equity.

Whether you’re fundraising now or preparing for the future, this is essential listening for any founder serious about long-term survival.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  CorporatesmanagingSMEentrepreneursfinancial wellnessinvestments

Tags:  term sheetsfundraisingventure capitalstartupprivate equity





Play / Pause

Listen now : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Tim Waterer, Chief Market Analyst, KCM Trade tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

William Pesek, Columnist at Nikkei Assia on the outcome of Japan's Upper House Elections.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Woon Khai Jhek of RAM Ratings unpacks Malaysia’s GDP figures and discusses the outlook for our economy.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Tan Eu Tah of Synergy House joins us to discuss how the company is navigating the uncertainty caused by US tariffs.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Datuk Ir. Ahmad Fauzi Hassan from MEPA sheds light on electricity theft and new tariff.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dato’ Sri M. Ramachelvam, National Human Rights Society (HAKAM) discusses the appointment of the new Chief Justice last Friday.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Tim Waterer, Chief Market Analyst, KCM Trade tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Woon Khai Jhek of RAM Ratings unpacks Malaysia’s GDP figures and discusses the outlook for our economy.

9:35 AM

Pinnacle Perspectives

Ng Sue Lynn, Head of Indirect Tax at KPMG Malaysia, shares how SST and e-invoicing changes can be turned into strategic opportunities with strong board oversight.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Otter Barista's founder Eeyong Ho on building a robotic coffee business that has already served over 100,000 cups across 60+ locations.

11:05 AM

P&L

GUIDE's Neil Cheong explains why innovation alone isn't enough and breaks down the four core risks every founder must manage to succeed.

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Dr. Carmelo Ferlito on the twin dangers of political pressure on central banks and the 'artificially' low interest rates that could result.

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Tan Eu Tah of Synergy House joins us to discuss how the company is navigating the uncertainty caused by US tariffs.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

As INC-5.2 negotiations resume in Geneva this August, deep divides remain over issues like plastic production, financing, and equity. Arpita Bhagat (GAIA Asia Pacific) and Rayhan Dudayev (Greenpeace Southeast Asia) discuss the politics, power plays, and potential of the global plastics treaty.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Dementia is still stigmatised but it doesn’t have to be. We speak to a gerontologist to find out how we can break down those walls one conversation at a time.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Today I Learned

Learn how AI, drones, and cyber weapons are transforming warfare — and redrawing the global balance of power.

7:00 PM

BBC World Service

This week on Science in Action, scientists have detected the largest black hole merger ever observed with LIGO picking up signals from two black holes colliding in a ‘violent’ spacetime event.

8:00 PM

A Bit of Culture

Kam Raslan, Matt Armitage and Ahmad Yazid join forces to talk about the sea, owning your own clone and the F1 movie!