Lifecycle of a Technology Company: Step-by-Step Legal Background and Practical Guide from Startup to Sale
Founding and nurturing a technology startup through its growth to a successful IPO or sale requires an understanding of the business terms, customary contractual provisions, legal background, tax issues, and "how-to's" applicable to each stage. Legal and business issues are intertwined, and mistakes are costly. Part legal primer, part business primer, Lifecycle of a Technology Company provides comprehensive and understandable advice about the key legal and business issues that arise over the life of an emerging growth company.This guide is full of practical, hands-on advice for:Entrepreneurs and executives who want an in-depth understanding of the legal milieu in which they operateVenture capital and other investment professionals who want to better understand the legal rationale behind their investment deals with portfolio companies, as well as key legal issues facing these portfolio companiesLawyers who would like to know, or need a refresher on, what they should be discussing with technology companies and other startup clients seeking advice on critical transactionsInternational lawyers, entrepreneurs, and investors who want insight into the legal and business aspects of the U.S. technology revolutionLaw students who want to get a jump on real-world business law practiceBusiness school students who want to level the playing field for their first encounters with business lawyersLifecycle of a Technology Company covers issues relating to:Choice of entityArrangements among the founders concerning equity compensationTricks and traps in venture financings and debt financingsBasics of intellectual property protec-tion and license agreementsHow to conduct a private placementHow to prepare for an IPOFundamentals of public company regulationThe acquisition process and key nego-tiating points for buyers and sellersAppendices include model or sample documents for a number of common trans-actions, as well as additional materials.A must-read for anyone associated with a technology company, from entrepreneurs and CEOs and CFOs to venture capitalists, as well as their legal and professional advisors, Lifecycle of a Technology Company will guide readers through the many challenges, opportunities, and legal and business pitfalls that arise at every stage of their business.