The valuation of $XX,000,000 is typically based on investor purchase price, which almost always includes a liquidity preference likely not factored into OP's shares. If an investor buys 10% of the business with a 2x liquidation preference for $2,000,000, it's not accurate to say "the business is now worth $20,000,000". But TechCrunch and other news outlets will omit this all the time. (And let's not leave out that his stake will be diluted after the round.)
Furthermore, "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush". Don't neglect the value of having money here and now you can invest in other assets: a downpayment on a home, stock market investment, etc. Many people in SF would have done better to have just purchased a modest home in 2010-2012 or bought TSLA than to have played the startup lottery over and over.
Furthermore, "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush". Don't neglect the value of having money here and now you can invest in other assets: a downpayment on a home, stock market investment, etc. Many people in SF would have done better to have just purchased a modest home in 2010-2012 or bought TSLA than to have played the startup lottery over and over.