VENTURE CAPITAL & START-UP

Catalog description

This course will focus on the role of venture capital in the organization and development of the startup technology company, with emphasis on both the legal and business perspectives of this subject. The first part of the course will provide an overview of the venture capital industry in general and the motivations and financial objectives that shape the typical venture fund in its approach to a startup investment. The course will then shift in focus to the wide range of business, legal, tax and accounting issues that typically need to be addressed by the venture-backed technology company. These issues will be considered for the entire life cycle of the technology start-up, from the organizational stage through the seed and venture financing rounds, with some discussion in conclusion on the process and issues associated with accessing the public equity markets through an IPO. Consideration will also be given to related topics, including corporate capitalization structures, customary equity incentive arrangements for employees, and the terms and conditions of a typical venture capital investment. The course will also feature a number of guest speakers to share their experience from a real world perspective, including venture capitalists from Silicon Valley-based venture capital funds, executives from existing venture-backed technology companies, attorneys from local law firms that concentrate in the technology area, and others.