I’ve been helping entrepreneurs raise capital as a securities lawyer for 17+ years, and there are certain fundamental mistakes that I’ve seen entrepreneurs repeatedly make. Accordingly, I thought it would be helpful to share three basic tips for entrepreneurs in connection with raising capital. This is part two of a three-part series, which was originally published on The Huffington Post.
Posts Tagged ‘preferred stock’
Raising Capital? 3 Tips for Entrepreneurs – Part 2
by Scott Edward Walker on September 21st, 2011Venture Capital Term Sheets – Redemption Rights
by Scott Edward Walker on July 7th, 2011Introduction
This post originally appeared in the “Ask the Attorney” column I am writing for VentureBeat; it is part of my ongoing series regarding venture capital term sheets. Here are the issues I have addressed to date:
- common mistakes dealing with VC’s
- valuation
- liquidation preferences
- stock options
- exploding term sheets and no-shop provisions
- anti-dilution provisions
- dividends
- Board control
- protective provisions
- drag-along provisions
- pay-to-play and pull-up provisions
- conversion rights
In today’s post, I examine the redemption rights of investors.
VC Term Sheets – Dividends
by Scott Edward Walker on March 3rd, 2011Introduction
This post originally appeared as part of the “Ask the Attorney” series I am writing for VentureBeat. Below is a longer, more comprehensive version, which is part of my series on venture capital term sheets. Here are the issues I have addressed to date:
- common mistakes dealing with VC’s
- valuation
- liquidation preferences
- stock options
- exploding term sheets and no-shop provisions
- anti-dilution provisions
Today’s post relates to dividends and how to protect the company from over-reaching by the investors.
What Is a Liquidation Preference?
by Scott Edward Walker on August 25th, 2010Introduction
This post was originally part of my weekly “Ask the Attorney” series which I am writing for VentureBeat (one of my favorite websites for entrepreneurs). Please shoot me any questions you may have in the comments section – or feel free to call me directly at 415-979-9998. Many thanks, Scott
“Ask the Business Attorney” – What Are the Biggest Legal Mistakes Startups Make Raising Capital?
by Scott Edward Walker on July 7th, 2010Introduction
This post was originally part of my “Ask the Attorney” series which I am writing for VentureBeat; below is a longer, more comprehensive version. I know this stuff tends to be very technical (and perhaps boring), but it is nevertheless critical that entrepreneurs have a basic understanding of the securities laws.
“Ask the Attorney” – Series FF Stock
by Scott Edward Walker on April 21st, 2010Introduction
This post is part of my weekly “Ask the Attorney” series which I am writing for VentureBeat (one of the most popular websites for entrepreneurs). As the VentureBeat Editor notes on the site: “Ask the Attorney is a new VentureBeat feature allowing start-up owners to get answers to their legal questions.” Below is a longer, more comprehensive version. Please give me your input in the comments section. Many thanks, Scott
Webinar for Entrepreneurs: Venture Capital Term Sheets (Plus More)
by Scott Edward Walker on April 15th, 2010Introduction
My colleague, Susan Morgan, conducted a webinar yesterday with respect to venture capital term sheets for the “CFO University,” which is group of Chief Financial Officers convening monthly webinars via CFOwise. As I have previously discussed, Susan recently joined our team and has strong financing experience, including 7+ years at Fenwick & West in Silicon Valley where she closed more than 30 financings. (You can learn more about Susan’s background on her bio page.) In conjunction with the webinar, Susan also wrote a brief post on convertible notes. You can see the webinar and read the post below. Many thanks, Scott
“Ask the Attorney” – Types of Angel Financing
by Scott Edward Walker on February 17th, 2010Introduction
This post is part of a weekly series called “Ask the Attorney,” which I am writing for VentureBeat (one of the most popular websites for entrepreneurs). As the VentureBeat Editor notes on the site: “Ask the Attorney is a new VentureBeat feature allowing start-up owners to get answers to their legal questions.”
I have two goals here: (i) to encourage entrepreneurs to ask law-related questions regardless of how basic they may be; and (ii) to provide helpful responses in plain English (as opposed to legalese). Please give me your feedback in the comments section. Many thanks, Scott
Angel Financings: Five Tips for Entrepreneurs – Part 2
by Scott Edward Walker on December 16th, 2009Introduction
This is part two of my two-part series on angel financings. In part one, I provided the following five tips for entrepreneurs: (i) push for the issuance of convertible notes; (ii) understand the key business terms; (iii) diligence the angel(s); (iv) never subject yourself to personal liability; and (v) comply with applicable securities laws. Below are five additional tips for entrepreneurs to help them through the angel financing process. Obviously, this is still a difficult environment in which to raise capital; however, I am confident that 2010 will bring greener pastures.

