ScaleUp Speaker Series Austin Fall 2024 - All Sessions

This cycle of Morrison Foerster’s ScaleUp Speaker Series in Austin, presented in partnership with Bridge Bank and Escalon, provided a legal roadmap for entrepreneurs looking to scale their companies. Participants gained the knowledge needed to manage the legal aspects of launching, funding, and growing a startup, while learning how to avoid common mistakes.

Protecting Your IP – September 10, 2024 – Participants learned the basics of the different types of intellectual property, the importance of proper IP ownership, when to undertake a Freedom to Operate (FTO) analysis, and how to avoid patent and trade secret missteps that could prevent them from protecting their intellectual property.

You’re Incorporated, Now What? – September 17, 2024 – Participants learned why different types of legal entities impact the ability to raise capital, the importance of choosing financial partners carefully, and common financial pitfalls.

Raising Angel Investment (Including Convertible Note Financing) – September 24, 2024 – Participants learned about the most common angel investment structures and practices in seed-stage investing (including debt, equity, and hybrid approaches) and received an introduction to the preferred stock terms that form the basis of venture capital investments.

Raising Venture Capital Investment (Deal Terms and Structures) – October 1, 2024 – Participants learned the basic concepts, structures, and mathematics behind venture capital investments, including capital structures, term sheets, and capitalization and liquidation models.

Venture Debt 101 – October 8, 2024 – Participants learned how venture debt differs from other types of loans, along with its potential benefits, ideal timing, key considerations, and potential pitfalls.

Most Common Legal Mistakes of Startup Entrepreneurs – October 15, 2024 – Participants learned about common legal mistakes, their impact on startups, and strategies for avoiding them.

Pitch Day – October 22, 2024 (No ScaleUp session this week) – Morrison Foerster hosted its semiannual Pitch Day, where selected technology and life sciences companies presented to a panel of venture capital investors.

Startup Equity Incentives – October 29, 2024 – Participants learned the fundamentals of customary equity incentives and how they are used to attract and retain top talent in a competitive market. The session covered founder vesting, restricted stock, and stock options, including ISOs and NSOs.

Technology Transactions – November 5, 2024 – Participants learned about the legal and commercial issues that can arise in connection with the acquisition, licensing, development, and commercialization of technologies and intellectual property assets.

Preparing for Exit – November 12, 2024 – Participants learned about the differences among acquisition structures, fundamental mergers and acquisitions (M&A) terms, and the key provisions of definitive M&A agreements. The session also covered the steps involved in preparing for an IPO, including the process, timing, and life as a U.S. public company.

Fireside Chat with a Founder & Investor – November 19, 2024 – This special session featured Morrison Foerster partner Shannon Sibold in conversation with Mike Meyers, CEO of Reflex, and Rajiv Bala, Founder and General Partner at Clutch VC. Participants learned from their combined expertise about preparing for a financing round, connecting with the right investors, preparing for due diligence, and drafting a term sheet.

For more information about ScaleUp programming offered in Austin, Boston, New York, and Palo Alto, please visit MoFo ScaleUp.