Author: Ryan Roberts
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The Deal Behind Letters of Intent
A letter of intent is a pre-acquisition agreement that shapes the preliminary understandings of the parties. Although usually non-binding (for the most part), it serves as the bridge between initial negotiations and the purchase agreement. And that’s important because the letter of intent should facilitate the deal. The letter of intent will set forth the…
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Venture Capital Going Green to Get the Green
Al Gore didn’t invent the Internet, but he did make up global warming. (OK, maybe he’s right.) And now the former Vice President is teaming up with Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers to find, fund and accelerate green business, technology and policy solutions to help solve the current climate crisis. The partnership will provide both…
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Your Advisor’s Invention Agreements: A Potential Startup Killer
“Get advisors” is a common recommendation given to a startup company entrepreneur. However, entrepreneurs should use caution when selecting advisors for his or her startup company. Your advisors may come pre-packaged with restrictive covenants that have the potential to kill your startup. One such restrictive covenant that could darken any startup’s day is an invention…
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How to Avoid Being Ripped Off When You Lease Office Space, Part III
Critical information about various commercial office leasing terms, tricks, and traps.
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Get a Deal Done with a Go Shop Clause
When acquiring a company, you typically want to lock down your target and prevent it from seeking other potential buyers (see no shop clause). But in some situations, allowing your target to shop the deal around, under the terms of a “go shop” clause, can actually facilitate the transaction and get the deal done. Typically,…
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Keep Your Startup Co-Founder Closer
Why Your Co-Founder May Be Your Biggest Liability
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Why a VC Will Take a Lighter to Your NDA
Why Venture Capitalists Won’t Sign Your Non-Disclosure Agreement
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How to Avoid Being Ripped Off When You Lease Office Space, Part II
This article is part II in a series about leasing office space. In part I, we discussed how a tenant’s representative can help–and hurt–your office space search. In part II, we’ll discuss some provisions to consider negotiating before your startup company signs a commercial office space lease. The following list is in no particular order…
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Fixed Fees: A Must Have When You Hire a Law Firm
Lawyers and their law firms are increasingly making fixed fee or “project pricing” available to their clients. This is especially true for startup company clients, as they typically have well-defined legal issues and needs. There are 3 main reasons why your startup company should have a fixed fee arrangement with your law firm instead of…