In this “ChalkTalk” session, David Willbrand will demystify, share, and unpack everything you need to know about fundraising for your early-stage startup. He’ll make it easy to understand what a cap table is, how it comes together, how it evolves and – most importantly – how startups raise money! If you are a founder or entrepreneur (or thinking about making that leap), chances are you are a world-class expert in certain areas of your startup (e.g., intellectual property, product development), and have a passing familiarity with other areas (e.g., marketing, human resources). Where you likely have a knowledge gap is with the legal stuff – particularly all the factors involved in organizing, capitalizing and financing a startup. This session will help!

Highlights: Balance Sheets and M&A, Cap Tables, Founders Stock, Preferred Stock Convertible Notes, and SAFEs.

About the Leader:

David Willbrand is Chair of the Early Stage & Emerging Company practice group at Thompson Hine LLP (and a Harvard alum). He’s practiced in the space for 25 years, and along the way has also launched 2 venture-backed startups. He teaches Startup and Venture Capital Law at the Syracuse and Cincinnati Law Schools, and teaches M&A at the University of Michigan Law School. He specializes in the following areas: Entrepreneurs and emerging companies; accelerators and incubators; early-stage investors and venture capital funds; research institutions and corporate innovation teams.