[author: Jared Brenner]

Some interesting links we found across the web this week:

The 4 Kinds of Series A Rounds in Enterprise
Elsewhere on this very blog, we’re in the middle of a three-part series on methods of Series Seed financing. But for those looking to make the leap to Series A, especially enterprise companies, we love this breakdown of the possibilities from the VC’s perspective. 

How Unicorns Grow
Speaking of growth, much is made of unicorn status as the standard for runaway startup success. But the speed with which companies reach a billion-dollar valuation does not necessarily predict long-term, post-IPO value, at least according to this new study from a Silicon Valley research firm. 

Startup Step-By-Step: No Cryptocountry For Old Men
Over at TechCrunch, a new regular column follows a senior TC editor as he builds a new bitcoin wallet startup. There are plenty of great insights in this first post, and we’ll be back for more as the series continues.

How to Build a Startup Advisory Board
A well-planned advisory board can be just as important as your first investors. Their mentorship, perspectives, and diverse skillsets can help founders stand apart amid intense competition for venture funding. For those just starting out, here are some helpful tips on outreach to potential advisors. 

2015 Set Venture Capital Records. Don’t Expect the Good Times to Last.
Finally, one last look back at venture deals in 2015, now that the data is in for Q4. Re/code’s got the highlights, but click through to the full report from CB Insights for numbers and charts galore.