Victor Crane emailed a term sheet that looked generous at first glance: a big check and introductions to “strategic partners.” Mara read past the bold numbers and felt her skin prickle. The fine print seemed to shift control to Victor’s holding company.
She pointed to one paragraph and slid the page toward Ethan. “This assigns all present and future IP,” she said. Ethan frowned, then tried to laugh. Victor called it standard. Mara did not argue; she simply asked why “standard” always favored the investor.