[author: Jared Brenner]

Some interesting links we found across the web this week:

Securing Your Series A Round in 2017: Five Things to Do Now
Series A deals declined in 2016, but you can still beat the odds with the right planning and strategy. If you’re a seed-stage company looking to make the great leap forward, don’t miss this new Launch blog post from WilmerHale Partner Ed Pease.   

This is why 2017 is going to be a hell of a tough year for seed startups
Speaking of getting stuck at the seed stage, VentureBeat has an interesting breakdown of the current early-stage market and how we got there over the last decade. (Bonus link: VentureBeat also has a new survey of the 2016 VC market more generally—and stay tuned for WilmerHale’s own annual analysis in the weeks to come.)

A Discussion with Keith Rabois (Khosla Ventures): "Building Amazing Teams"
If you have a half-hour to spare, tips directly from a seasoned VC are always worth your time—check out this interview on team-building strategies with Khosla’s Keith Rabois.

Why Strategic Investment Isn't Always A Good Strategy For Startups
One recent market trend has been the formation of venture capital funds by governments and large corporations. Corporate VCs are controversial among startup commentators, but in a tight market, you may want to explore every possible option. Forbes has a breakdown for you, and be sure to click through to the Wilson and Wong articles for more perspective.  

Bitcoin Is an Escapist Safe Haven
Bitcoin remains on our radar for 2017, particularly in light of the SEC’s possible approval of the first-ever bitcoin ETF this year. The cryptocurrency’s relationship with regulators is in a holding pattern, but the transition in American government and rising global demand for alternative forms of money could change that, as Bloomberg explains in this editorial. (Bonus link: more great thoughts from Wharton on the current state of play.)