LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE

A term in venture capital contracts, which pertains to the investors’ right to be paid first and the certain value they should get in the event the business is liquidated (such as selling the company). It protects venture capitalists from losing money by ensuring they reclaim their initial investments before other parties. Also, if the firm is sold at a profit, it will give them priority in claiming their part in the profits. They are repaid first before common stockholders, original owners, and employees.