Startup Workbench Webinar Series

Launching a startup requires innovative ideas, hard work, good timing, and luck. You, the student entrepreneurs, are addressing the technical, scientific and financial issues in your venture. Now, you must deal with the usual legal issues confronted by startups. The formation of a startup company and its financing may appear deceptively simple. But, a startup faces a multitude of complex legal issues which, if mishandled, can have a substantial and sometimes irreparable negative impact on its business. These areas include, among others, intellectual property, intra-company relationships, securities issuance and ownership, tax, trade secrets, employment, and competition issues. Addressing them thoroughly and competently is crucial to success. Avoiding mistakes is critical and we are here to help.

Join our Kelley Drye lawyers in helping Cornell Tech entrepreneurs address these issues.

Company Formation: Understanding & Negotiating Provisions of a Term Sheet and Related Agreements

The birth of a startup presents the best chance to address issues which, if done early, can avoid costly litigation later. The roles, equity ownership and compensation of the founders must be clearly defined. Equity may be a necessary component of hiring key employees, but it must be structured so as not to impair future capital raises. Your startup must immediately position itself to finance its operations, hire employees and contractors, focus on intellectual property rights, and transact business with third parties.

This webinar will review topics including entity formation, validating your idea, how to find mentors, and how to raise money from investors.