www.copelandfirm.com

OCTOBER 21, 2010

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Intellectual Property 40

Intellectual Property Founder Vesting Bridge Financing 40

Up and Running

FEBRUARY 19, 2014

To learn some common legal pitfalls we’d all be better off avoiding, we asked nine founders from the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) what unexpected things they found themselves needing lawyers for in the early stages of their startups. Hire a lawyer to help draft an incentive plan with a vesting schedule that fits your business.

Non-disclosure Agreement 97

Non-disclosure Agreement NDA Term Sheet Early Stage 97

Gust

DECEMBER 8, 2011

Likewise, founders can benefit from understanding basic characteristics of the overall legal structure, formation and governance documents, rights and responsibilities of team members, etc. Determine who will serve on the Board of Directors and in executive officer positions (usually founders). Newco, Inc.”)

Intellectual Property 139

Intellectual Property Non-disclosure Agreement Delaware Stock 139

David Teten

SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

According to the research paper How Do Venture Capitalists Make Decisions? , “Roughly half the funds [surveyed]—particularly smaller funds, healthcare funds and non-California funds—require a unanimous vote of the partners. We believe the best founders and companies are polarizing. Finally, 15% of the funds require a majority vote. “.

Private Equity 60

Private Equity Venture Capital Equity Partner 60

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 17, 2009

These periods of time can leave a founder very vulnerable in the future. I don’t know 100% that this is true in all 50 states (if any lawyers read this please put notes in comments section) but I’m pretty darn sure that this is statuary law in California. That’s the difference between a founder and a non-founder.

Founder Vesting 365

Founder Vesting Intellectual Property Stock Options IP 365

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 4, 2009

In California that averages around 42.5% Stock vests for 4 years. Best to be a founder. And let’s say that it took 4 years to exit – that’s $31,250 / year. Now … these are stock options and not restricted stock so you’ll likely be taxed at a long-term capital gains rate. you won the lottery).

Stock Options 418

Stock Options Stock Liquidation Preference Option Pool 418

Scott Edward Walker

FEBRUARY 1, 2014

Mistake #3 : not setting-up vesting schedules (at 17:19). different perspective as a lawyer (lots of phone calls from founders with problems). Zuckerberg” problem – IP is not assigned to the company by the founders and/or third-party developers (including in foreign countries). Mistake #3: Not Setting-Up Vesting Schedules.

Software Review 111

Software Review Delaware Accredited Investor Due Diligence 111

Scott Edward Walker

FEBRUARY 1, 2014

i) Rule 506 preempts State law, which means all you have to do is file a Form D and pay a filing fee; and (ii) no disclosure requirement/PPM Possible to sell to “friends and family” (e.g., issues to address include: How have they treated their other portfolio companies? (i) Are they good guys or jerks? Can they be counted-on and trusted?

Software Review 111

Software Review Delaware Accredited Investor Due Diligence 111

thinkspace.com

SEPTEMBER 7, 2012

How to Divide Equity to Startup Founders, Advisors, and Employees. The part that I’d like to zero in on is when you’ve got a high growth company what are some of the best practices out there to distribute equity to the founders, advisors, and employees? Equity for Founders. Should founders have anti-dilution rights?

Equity 62

Equity Employee Founder CTO Hire 62

Professor VC

FEBRUARY 26, 2008

As I mentioned in the previous post, Jeff Fluhr (founder of StubHub) recently stopped by my Entrepreneurial Finance class to share his 4 Lessons of Entrepreneurship with the students. Dan Gordon, founder of Gordon Biersch , came by my class this week. Be passionate about whatever it is you are doing.

Technical Review 28

Technical Review San Jose Angel Investor Silicon Valley 28

K9 Ventures

JULY 22, 2009

This has several advantages: 1) If you are going to be bringing on co-founders or employees, the fact that the company has already been incorporated, and is official, can have an impact on how the equity split gets portioned out. 5) Incorporating forces you to start maintaining the books (or so I hope!)

Due Diligence 48

Due Diligence Vesting Valuation Cofounder 48

infochachkie.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

Allow the consultant to invest in your future success; in lieu of cash, grant them equity in the form of Non-qualified Options that vest based upon the attainment of quantifiable goals; keep in mind that adverse tax consequences may be associated with such equity grants, so check with your accountant before deploying this form of compensation.

Equity 40

Equity Silicon Valley Cofounder Technical Review 40

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 10, 2011

The interesting thing about working with angels (the tech founder kind) is that they’ve all run their own startups before so there is instant resonance with what you’re going through, the issues you’ll face and how to best help. Founders need to see eye-to-eye or things will be very difficult.

Angel Investor 302

Angel Investor Cofounder Southern California .Net 302

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 30, 2010

Let me preface by saying I obviously have a vested interest in being wrong about tough times ahead but as the old saying goes, “hope for best, plan for the worst.”. Let me preface by saying I obviously have a vested interest in being wrong about tough times ahead but as the old saying goes, “hope for best, plan for the worst.”.

Entrepreneur 298

Entrepreneur Technical Review Balance Sheet Government 298

techcrunch.com

SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

As CEO and co-founder Naval Ravikant tells me, when he and co-founder Babak Nivi started VentureHacks a few years ago, their goal was to educate companies on how to negotiate venture term sheets. San Francisco, California. AngelList eventually resulted from this, and actually helped startups make connections to investors.

Term Sheet 70

Term Sheet San Francisco Technical Review Seed Stage 70