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Round mechanics

Bridge round

Interim financing between priced rounds, usually intended to reach a milestone that unlocks the next round.

Why it matters

A bridge signals either strong momentum or a missed plan, and investors will read it one way or the other. Control that narrative before you start raising one.

A worked example

A company nine months from Series A with six months of runway raises a $1.5M bridge on a SAFE to reach the ARR threshold Series A investors said they needed.

What is typical

Often structured as a SAFE or convertible note rather than a priced round, to avoid setting a valuation during a period of uncertainty.

Related terms

SAFE

Simple Agreement for Future Equity. An investor gives you money now in exchange for shares later, when a priced round happens.

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Convertible note

Debt that converts into equity at a future priced round.

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Runway

The number of months you can continue operating at your current net burn before running out of cash.

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Run your raise on this

VCTerminal models these terms on your real cap table, so you can see what a term sheet pays you before you sign it.

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