09/04/2026
You’re not supposed to respond to a term sheet on the call.
The moment a term sheet lands, your nervous system does something predictable. A mix of excitement, relief, fear of losing it, pressure to react before it disappears. That combination is designed (intentionally or not) to make you decide faster than you should.
The standard review window at seed to Series A is 5–7 business days. Investors build this into their process. What signals inexperience isn’t taking time, it’s signing on the spot, or going silent with no communication.
What you can say, right now, on that call: “We’re thrilled about this. We will review it carefully and come back to you by [specific date].”
Then you get off the call and do the real work. Send it to your lawyer before anyone else sees it. Model the cap table at exit, not just at close. Understand who controls what after this round. And ask yourself honestly whether you’d trust this person in your hardest quarter, not your best one.
A term sheet is the opening of a relationship that will last through pivots, down rounds, hard conversations, and decisions you can’t predict yet. 5 days to think clearly about that is not hesitation.
👉🏻 If you’re heading into a round this year, this is exactly what Sheblooms 1:1 fundraising strategy sessions are for, so you’re not making these calls alone. - link in bio