While venture capitalists (VCs) love to expound about the world-beating technologies their portfolio companies are chasing, the fact remains that the savviest of entrepreneurs were traditionally very skeptical of VCs. Some considered VCs the enemy--the money guys who wanted nothing more than to purchase your company and steal your soul, forcing you to give up control and sell out to the gods of the early exit.

In the current social media mini-boom, that dynamic appears to have changed greatly, notes the New York Times. These days, VC firms have adopted processes and share classes that are much more pro-entrepreneur."Generally in their mid-20s or early 30s, today's start-up founders are becoming more assertive in funding rounds, securing better terms and, in many cases, cashing out part of their investments well before an initial public offering."

Founders Fund shares are a great example of the new pro-founder attitude. These shares allow founders to cash out in early funding rounds--well before an IPO--without affecting the values of common shares. Control is always a big issue, and some firms are finding ways to ensure that the founder controls a certain number of board seats. None of this guarantees success, but it is making for a system that does not pit the company against the financiers. You could certainly say that the power pendulum has swung.

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