Scott Edward Walker

OCTOBER 19, 2020

Over the past six months, my firm has been engaged by a number of startups with significant intellectual property (“IP”) problems. In a couple of cases, the founders played lawyer on their own; in the other cases, the founders either used (i) a Web service that did not address IP issues or (ii) an inexperienced law firm.

IP 52

IP Software Review Founder Technical Review 52

Scott Edward Walker

SEPTEMBER 28, 2011

Vesting Restrictions. The first deadly mistake relates to vesting restrictions. In addition, sometimes a portion of the shares will be deemed to be vested “up front” – meaning that they are not subject to vesting — particularly where a founder has made a significant contribution prior to the company’s incorporation.

Vesting 89

Vesting Software Review IP Intellectual Property 89

View from Seed

DECEMBER 4, 2014

You can then work with your law firm to formally draw up founder common stock paperwork either then or subsequently. It’s also worth keeping in mind that regardless of how the founders’ common stock is divided, there will be future issuance of stock that will dilute the founders over the lifecycle of the company.

Equity 315

Equity Founder Sweat Equity Cofounder 315

Agile VC

DECEMBER 4, 2014

You can then work with your law firm to formally draw up founder common stock paperwork either then or subsequently. It’s also worth keeping in mind that regardless of how the founders’ common stock is divided, there will be future issuance of stock that will dilute the founders over the lifecycle of the company.

Cofounder 255

Cofounder Equity Founder Sweat Equity 255

Agile VC

DECEMBER 4, 2014

You can then work with your law firm to formally draw up founder common stock paperwork either then or subsequently. It’s also worth keeping in mind that regardless of how the founders’ common stock is divided, there will be future issuance of stock that will dilute the founders over the lifecycle of the company.

Cofounder 173

Cofounder Equity Founder Sweat Equity 173

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

of the time I have no vested interest in having the debate. If you want to give them a 50% discount offer them $1 of common-stock warrants (no liquidation preference) for every $1 of stock they buy. If you want to give them a 33% discount you offer them half of a $1 common-stock warrant for every $1 share they purchase.

Venture Capital 417

Venture Capital Liquidation Preference Valuation Term Sheet 417

The Startup Lawyer

MARCH 17, 2010

4) Type of Shares: Common Stock. (5) 5) Par Value of Common: $0.0001. (6) 8) Vest Founders Shares?: 9) Vesting Schedule for Founders Shares: 4 years with a One Year Cliff. (10) 10) Consideration for Founders Shares: Cash & IP. (11) 10) Consideration for Founders Shares: Cash & IP. (11)

Accredited Investor 112

Accredited Investor Delaware NDA Vesting 112