In this session, David Willbrand demystifies common jargon while unpacking everything you need to know about fundraising for your early-stage startup. In accessible language, David explains cap tables, how they comes together, how they 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 (intellectual property, product development), and have a passing familiarity with other areas (marketing, human resources). Where you likely lack experience is 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, SAFEs.
Speaker: David Willbrand
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
