Part One: Entity
Learn how and why to create a legal entity, issue shares, create vesting schedules, and assign IP
Part Two: People
Dive deep into legal issues surrounding cofounders, early employees, mentors, and advisors
Part Three: Investment
Navigate the terms and process of accelerators, seed financings, and venture capital rounds
EXPLORE THE BOOK
Chapter 1: Forming a Startup Company
Find out why, when, and where to incorporate your startup and what documents are needed to properly form a startup
Chapter 2: Structuring Your Company
Learn about the initial structuring of the board of directors, officers, authorized shares, and the types of shares issued to cofounders.
Chapter 3: Equity Issues
Examine equity issues, including dividing equity, voting rights, and the mechanics of vesting schedules for stock and options
Chapter 4: Founder Dynamics
Explore what to consider when selecting cofounders, common cofounder issues, and how to navigate breakups
Chapter 5: First Hires
Learn about employee classification, incentive equity and option compensation, contracts, vesting schedules, and termination
Chapter 6: Mentors & Advisors
Understand mentor and advisor selection, advisory boards, compensation, red flags, and exit strategies
Chapter 7: Accelerators
Find out about common accelerator deal terms, legal documents, and selected issues of being in an accelerator
Chapter 8: Seed Financing
Learn all about seed round terms and structures, including convertible notes, convertible equity, and priced equity rounds
Chapter 9: Venture Capital
Examine the venture capital financing process, including due diligence, common terms, and the legal documents involved
Chapter 10: Securities Law Overview
Get an overview of the main securities law issues related to early-stage startup companies
PRAISE FOR ACCELERATION
Unlike most lawyers, Ryan doesn't tell entrepreneurs all the things they cannot do; instead he provides succinct, battle-tested advice on how to achieve your startup's unique business objectives. Beg, borrow, buy or steal this book today, and thank me next week.
Patrick Vlaskovits, NYT Bestselling Author of Hustle and The Lean Entrepreneur
Ryan has played a key role in the development of today’s startup legal ecosystem. His approach and content is a standard “go-to” resource for entrepreneurs. Do yourself a favor and get copies of this book for you and your cofounders right now.
Marc Nager, Partner, Greater Colorado Venture Fund and Cofounder, Startup Weekend & UP Global
Acceleration is a must read for entrepreneurs. Ryan provides concise explanations to the legal questions and issues startups routinely encounter."
Girish Mathrubootham, Founder & CEO, Freshworks
Ryan has done an amazing job curating and breaking down the legal issues that many startups face, with easy to understand explanations and anecdotes. Acceleration is an essential legal guide for all entrepreneurs.
Brad Hunstable, CEO of Linear Labs (electric motors for EVs) and former CEO of Ustream (acquired by IBM)
Acceleration is an indispensable legal guide for all startup founders. Read this book and you can help save yourself and your startup from a lot of pain down the road.
Sunil Thomas, Cofounder and CEO, CleverTap
The Author
RYAN ROBERTS is a corporate attorney who represents startup companies through all phases of their growth process.
His international client roster is comprised of emerging growth companies and venture capital funds and has. Ryan holds a BA and an MA in economics from USC and a Juris Doctor degree from UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
In 2006, Ryan launched StartupLawyer.com, a legal resource for startup companies, which Forbes has named one of the 100 best websites for entrepreneurs.
GET YOUR COPY OF "ACCELERATION: WHAT ALL ENTREPRENEURS MUST KNOW ABOUT STARTUP LAW"
StartupLawyer.com
Launched in 2006 and now has over 300 articles on the legal issues that entrepreneurs face and a glossary with over 500 startup legal terms.
Latest blog post:
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