Chuck Cotter is a partner in the firm’s Emerging Company + Venture Capital practice group in Denver.

Chuck advises venture and growth stage companies, helping them to successfully raise capital, negotiate key agreements, manage investor and board dynamics, and through exit. Chuck also regularly advises investment funds in placing capital into consumer products, agtech, and food tech companies. He excels as a practical, business-minded advisor.

With sophisticated experience in the consumer products space, including food, beverage, personal care, beauty, and fashion, Chuck has represented such companies and funds in over 200 financing and M&A transactions.

Chuck has been recognized by Chambers USA for Corporate M&A and by The Best Lawyers in America for M&A and Venture Capital. He has also been named MVP in Food & Ag by Law360.

Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, Chuck was a partner at a national law firm and the leader of their Food, Beverage, and Consumer Products industry group. Before that, he was a partner and chair of the Consumer Products industry group at an Am Law 100 firm.

Representative Experience

• Crumbl Cookies, in its minority investment from TSG Consumer Partners, supporting continued franchise expansion and growth.
• Grüns, in its Series B preferred stock financing, including a $10 million primary investment at a $500 million post-money valuation led by Headline Global Growth and a $25 million secondary tender offer, with conversion of outstanding SAFEs and convertible notes.
• David Protein (aka Linus Technology, Inc.), a cutting-edge brand offering high-protein, low calorie nutrition and redefining how we think about fat, in its Series A financing and its acquisition of the company behind EPG –a plant-based fat substitute that replicates texture and mouthfeel of traditional fat.
• GroundForceCapital, an investment firm seeking to invest in companies in the consumer food and beverages sector that aim to improve health and longevity of people and the planet, in its participation in the Series E financing of Liquid Death, a disruptive hydration company valued at $1.4 billion.
• Goat Rodeo Capital Advisors LLC, a venture capital fund focusing on early-stage opportunities in the alcohol beverage space, in its participation in the Series B financings of The Lemon Perfect Company, a celebrity-backed, ready-to-drink hydration company.
• Sweetwood Smoke & Co., maker of FATTY Smoked Meat Sticks, in its sale to Conagra Brands (NYSE: CAG), one of North America’s leading branded food companies.
• Caulipower, the #1 better-for-you, gluten-free, and cauliflower crust frozen pizza brand in America, in its sale to Urban Farmer, a portfolio company of Paine Schwartz Partners and a fully integrated producer of specialty dough products for leading brands and major retailers across North America.
• Hooters, Inc., and Hoot Owl Restaurants LLC in restructuring transactions that would allow for the acquisition of more than 100 Hooters of America-owned restaurants.
• NextWorldLLC, in the sale of The Citizenry, a direct-to-consumer, socially conscious home decor brand, to Havenly, a leading interior design service and home furnishings company.