Companies Get Excellent Advice from Top Start-Up Lawyer

Companies Get Excellent Advice from Top Start-Up Lawyer

Last Tuesday CleanStart held its second legal roundtable with Michelle Hallsten at GT law to support early stage startups in the Sacramento region.  Companies who just started a few weeks ago, like EV Life, to ones growing in popularity like RePurpose Energy came to find answers supporting their growth.  It was entirely a Q&A format with Michelle willing to offer advice on any topic the companies wanted to raise.

Popular questions centered around a few areas:

  1. What is the first thing a company should do when fundraising?
  2. What type of investors are out there and what are a company’s responsibilities to them?
  3. When do I need to protect my IP?
  4. How do I have a conversation with current equity holders, other founders, and friends and family?
  5. What about crowdfunded equity?

The Roundtable started at 4 pm but went past the 5:30 end time to beyond 7 as Michelle discussed all the different options startups need to consider when fundraising, growing and protecting themselves. It is important to remember that while each startup is different, needing individualized support, building a competent team with quality legal counsel pays increasing dividends over time, putting a company in an increasingly strong position. This was such a successful event, we are planning to do another session later in the year.

Make sure to follow CleanStart by signing up for our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss out on these events.

Thomas Hall

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thomas is the Executive Director of CleanStart. Thomas has a strong background in supporting small businesses, leadership, financial management and is proficient in working with nonprofits. He has a BS in Finance and a BA in Economics from California State University, Chico. Thomas has a passion for sustainability and a commitment to supporting non-profits in the region.

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BlueTech Valley, PowerSoft.biz, Revrnt, Synbyo, Califronia Mobility Center

Being a Small Fish, But Looking Bigger

Being a Small Fish, But Looking Bigger

It is never to early to start engaging with quality legal counsel when building your business. Like a monetary investment, small things early pay off greatly over time.  If you are have a startup and think a session with an experienced lawyer may help, sign up to join our Startup Legal Roundtable with Michelle Rowe Hallsten of Greenberg Traurig and begin to get on equal footing with the big fish.  We are pleased that she has agreed to be available exclusively for our cleantech cluster companies.

Why should you come?  Being a small startup in clean tech is rough.  Often companies are faced with collaborating with much bigger companies and investors who have experience they don’t, making them feel like a small fish in a big sea. Working with investors and their lawyers requires companies to have experienced professionals on their side. Especially when dealing with anything requiring a legal analysis.

Here’s an example:  Michael Carroll of small hydro equipment manufacturer Helios Altas has been an entrepreneur working with bigger players for years. While not lacking confidence in his business, he acknowledges there are areas he always gets help to keep on equal footing with partners, investors and governments. He knows having a well-rounded and experienced team is important to succeeding long term. Carroll wants to know more than what to do, he needs to know why.  Carroll says that Hallsten’s experience provides background enabling him to be confident in his decisions. Additionally, when negotiating, he sees the benefit of having strong representation when building collaborative agreements.

“I have been working with different lawyers for the better part of 20 year now though my business career. When I talk with Michele about different issues that arise, she has a way of counseling me that gives me the confidence to proceed forward with our decision that is invaluable.” – Michael Carroll,  Helios Altas

Does it sound like something you could use?  Then sign up and join us on May 21st.

Thomas Hall

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thomas is the Executive Director of CleanStart. Thomas has a strong background in supporting small businesses, leadership, financial management and is proficient in working with nonprofits. He has a BS in Finance and a BA in Economics from California State University, Chico. Thomas has a passion for sustainability and a commitment to supporting non-profits in the region.

CleanStart Sponsors

Weintraub | Tobin, Moss Adams, River City Bank, GreenbergTraurig

BlueTech Valley, PowerSoft.biz, Revrnt, Synbyo, Califronia Mobility Center