ScaleUp Speaker Series Austin Fall 2025 - All Sessions

You’re incorporated, now what? Morrison Foerster, in partnership with Bridge Bank and Escalon, is offering its ScaleUp Speaker Series in Austin, a complimentary 10-part series that provides a legal roadmap for entrepreneurs aiming to scale up their companies. This weekly Tuesday seminar will arm you with the knowledge needed to manage the legal aspects of launching, funding, and growing a startup, as well as insights to help you avoid common mistakes. Lunch and parking are complimentary.

We invite you to register for any and all of the sessions that interest you by clicking on the registration links embedded in the topic titles.

• You’re Incorporated, Now What? – September 9, 2025 – Learn why different types of legal entities impact the ability to raise capital, the importance of choosing financial partners with careful consideration, and common financial pitfalls. Hosted at Antone's with a Happy Hour following the session to celebrate the beginning of the series.
• Protecting Your IP – September 16, 2025 – Learn the basics of the different types of IP, the importance of proper IP ownership, and when to undertake a Freedom to Operate (FTO) analysis, as well as how to avoid patent and trade secret missteps that may prevent you from protecting your IP.
• Raising Angel Investment (Including Convertible Note Financing) – September 23, 2025 – Learn the most common angel investment structures and practices in seed-stage investing (including debt, equity, and hybrid approaches) and an introduction to the preferred stock terms that form the basis of venture capital investments.
• Raising Venture Capital Investment (Deal Terms and Structures) – September 30, 2025 – Learn the basic concepts, structures, and math behind venture capital investments, including capital structures, term sheets, and capitalization and liquidation models.
• Venture Debt 101 – October 7, 2025 – Learn how venture debt differs from other types of loans, as well as the potential benefits, ideal timing to raise, key considerations, and potential pitfalls.
• Most Common Legal Mistakes of Startup Entrepreneurs – October 14, 2025 – Learn key mistakes, their impact on startups, and how to avoid them in the first place.
• PITCH DAY – October 23, 2025 (No ScaleUp session this week) – Save the date for Morrison Foerster’s semiannual Pitch Day, now an official event of Austin Tech Week, where select technology and life sciences companies will have the opportunity to pitch to a panel of venture capital investors. See below for more details.
• Startup Equity Incentives – October 28, 2025 – Learn the basics of customary equity incentives and how they are used to attract and retain top talent in a competitive market. We will discuss founder vesting, restricted stock, and stock options (including ISOs and NSOs).
• Technology Transactions – November 4, 2025 – Learn about the legal and commercial issues that can arise in connection with the acquisition, licensing, development, and commercialization of technologies and IP assets.
• Preparing for Exit – November 11, 2025 – Learn the differences among acquisition structures, fundamental merger and acquisition (M&A) terms, and an overview of definitive M&A agreements and processes, as well as the steps necessary when considering an IPO, including the process, timing, and life as a U.S. public company.
• Fireside Chat with a Founder and Investor – November 19, 2025, – You won’t want to miss this special session, featuring Morrison Foerster partner Shannon Sibold in conversation with guest speakers Mike Meyers, CEO and co-founder of Reflex, and Rajiv Bala, founder and general partner at Clutch VC. Learn from their combined expertise what is most essential for companies getting ready for a financing round, including connecting with the right investors, preparing for due diligence, and drafting a term sheet. Hosted at Lonesome Dove with a Happy Hour following the session to mark the end of the series.