>They ended up raising a very large seed round (1MM+) from a VC and pre-negotiating a follow-on of equal size, should they need it.
Just out of curiosity why not just raise 2MM+? What value is there in this to the investor unless they have the ability to back out of the prenogociated follow-on? It seems like an expensive way to get no peace of mind?
That would be an exceedingly weird financial term. In effect, it would commit the investors to fronting cash, but give the managers an option as to whether and when to accept the cash at the agreed price (and deliver shares) or to reject some or all of it (and return cash).
Just from practice, you'll never see this from normal (professional or practiced) startup investors. Nor will you see its identical twin, the required second tranche.
Just out of curiosity why not just raise 2MM+? What value is there in this to the investor unless they have the ability to back out of the prenogociated follow-on? It seems like an expensive way to get no peace of mind?