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Home > Our Thinking > Trending Topics > Startup & Accelerate

Startup & Accelerate

Let’s get going! Welcome to Startup & Accelerate, our resource center of analyses and thinking related to your startup and how you can quickly begin moving your venture forward. Our guidance is applicable to a variety of industries, such as technology, life sciences, fintech, esports, digital health, and renewable energy, to name a few. We continuously post new materials, so check back often.

The Basics

Avoiding a Taxing Situation: Considerations for Your Startup

Topics include:

Tax considerations for your startup
Tips to guide you through important taxation matters
Common pitfalls

Biotechnology, Medical Device, and Other Life Sciences Emerging Companies – Legal Strategies and Venture Capital Financing and Market Trends

Topics include:

Background on the biotech, pharma and medical device industry
Intellectual property, partnerships and collaborations
Venture capital investments

Emerging Company Key Considerations for AI

Topics include:

AI overview
Regulatory framework
IP considerations
Data privacy and security
Employment matters
Contracting, M&A and investments

Evolving Market Terms for Venture Capital Investments: Summary of NVCA Model Legal Documents Recent Updates

Topics include:

Why do the NVCA documents matter to founders and companies
Why do the NVCA documents matter to investors and stockholders
Recent updates

Get Up and Go: Navigating Startup Issues

Topics include:

Timely subjects and tips to guide you through important formation matters
Business entity selection, agreements among founders, early-stage financing structures, and advice for avoiding common mistakes

Key Beginning Documents: Founders’ Agreements, Seed Financing, Convertible Notes and SAFEs

Topics include:

Key issues and terms relevant to a founder’s agreements, seed financing, convertible notes, and SAFEs
Matters including protecting intellectual property assets and merger and acquisition agreements

Making a Clean Start: Avoiding Common Legal Mistakes Made by Life Science Entrepreneurs

Topics include:

How to make a clean start
Avoiding common legal mistakes made by life science entrepreneurs

Economic Development & Investment Group’s Small Business Toolkit: Mobilizing for Equality

View the toolkit >>

Topics include:

An easy-to-read checklist and other resources essential for any startup

GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION/REGULATION

Paycheck Protection Program - Round 2: Key Considerations for Businesses Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act

Topics include:

The extension and expansion of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The PPP Second Draw program
Key provisions and guidance for businesses seeking to participate in the revived PPP under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021

Part 2: Understanding the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program

Topics include:

Key features of the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act, in addition to recent Small Business Administration guidance

Open for Business: Your Startup and Government Contracts

Topics include:

The government contract process and making sure that your company is set up for success
Federal marketplace, contract types, government opportunities, and important government contract issues and considerations

CFIUS Concerns in Life Science Investment and Venture Capital Transactions

Read the Insight >>

Topics include:

The potential for Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) issues in transactions involving a foreign person and a US business
Unique CFIUS concerns for life sciences transactions

CARES Act: Key Takeaways for the Technology Industry

Read the LawFlash >>

Topics include:

Aims of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to offer economic relief to companies and their employees
How the CARES ACT doesn’t expressly provide industry-specific relief, but many provisions impact the technology industry

Spending Bill Revives Paycheck Protection Program for US Small Businesses

Read the LawFlash >>

Topics include:

The stimulus package tied to the Consolidated Appropriations Act
Key provisions and guidance for businesses seeking to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program
A Review of recent federal government programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program

Funds for the Operation

Down Rounds, Recaps and Pay to Play Provisions: Embracing Venture Capital Financing Strategies for Emerging Companies in a Challenging Fundraising Climate

Topics include:

Market overview and causes of down rounds
Recap key economic considerations
Fiduciary duties

Evolving Market Terms for Venture Capital Investments: Trade Association Updates Standards, New Jersey Lawyer

Read the article >>

Topics include:

Updates to the National Venture Capital Association’s primary model legal documents—which include a term sheet, certificate of incorporation, stock purchase agreement, investor’s rights agreement, voting agreement, and right of first refusal and co-sale agreement

Get an Edge: Understanding Seed Financing Terms and Structures

Topics include:

Various deal structures frequently used in seed financings
Range of market terms for deal structures

Know Your Next Steps - Later Stage/Preferred Stock Financing

Topics include:

Various deal structures frequently used for later stage and preferred stock financings
Market terms for later stage and preferred stock financings

Making the Most of Your Round – Preferred Stock Financing Topics

Topics include:

Guidance investment options and advantages and pitfalls
Key issues and terms relevant to a Series Seed or Series A preferred stock investment

Preparing a Venture Capital Term Sheet

Topics include:

How a term sheet is structured
Key definitions and classifications

Raising Capital During this Unique Time in History

Topics include:

What investors are looking for and how entrepreneurs can best navigate raising capital

Seed Financing and Early Stage Financing for Startups: Introduction to Angels, SAFEs, Convertible Notes and Venture Capital

Topics include:

Investors and their preferences
Possible deal structures

Staying in the Fight: Getting Your Company through the Down Round to the Next Round of Financing

Read the Insight >>

Topics include:

Recent down round trends
Alternatives to a down round
Down round implementation
Fiduciary duties and legal requirements
Recaps and pay to plays

Understanding Venture Debt: Exploring Options for Growth

Topics Include:

Understanding venture debt and how it can drive business growth

What Asian Investors in US Life Sciences Startups Should Know

Read the Insight >>

Topics include:

Intellectual Property
Day to Day Oversight
CFIUS

Angels in the Startups

Angel Investing as a Funding Source

Topics include:

An overview of angel investing
Ways to make the funding relationship between angel investors and entrepreneurs mutually beneficial

How to Become Touched by an Angel

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Topics include:

What angel investors are
Why ventures seek angels investors
What angels investors look for in investments

Getting Industry Focused

Bank Partnerships with & Investments in Fintech Companies

Topics include:

Discussion of the US regulatory framework governing partnerships
Focus on investments in fintech firms by banks, bank holding companies, and their nonbank affiliates—e.g., bank-affiliated broker-dealers, asset management firms, and private equity and venture funds

Seed Financing Structures for Digital Health Companies

Topics include:

Deal structures frequently used in digital health company seed financings
The range of market terms for each structure

Your Onboarding Operations

Your Team Is Your Foundation: Discussing Your Company's Equity Compensation

Topics include:

Using artificial intelligence (AI) to automate the search for candidates, screen candidates, and analyze candidates’ skills and aptitudes
The use of AI in recruiting and hiring

AI in Hiring and Recruiting

Read the insight >>

Topics include:

Using artificial intelligence (AI) to automate the search for candidates, screen candidates, and analyze candidates’ skills and aptitudes
The use of AI in recruiting and hiring

Building a Team – Employee Onboarding

Topics include:

Best practices for onboarding
Benefits options available to best suit your business

Risk and Reward: International Tax, Employment and Immigration Considerations in Engaging Contractors in Tech

Topics include:

Considerations when engaging independent contractors in the United Kingdom
Various risks including the risk of reclassification and potential increased tax and employment right liabilities

Strategies for Success: The Importance of Workplace Culture in Tech

Topics include:

Importance of workplace culture and values for business success
Diversity, equity, and inclusion; leadership from the top; role modelling; and flexibility in the workplace

What’s in it for the Team and Me? Discussing Your Company’s Equity Compensation

Topics include:

Determining the right structure for equity compensation
The connection between the entrepreneur and the team

Your Global Talent Pool: Immigration Considerations for US Based Startups

Topics include:

US visa options, including advantages and challenges
Overview of visa options for Hong Kong and Singapore

Health Focused IP

Computer-Implemented Inventions in Biotechnology and Healthcare, Patentability from European and US Perspective

Topics include:

The standards for patentability applied by the United States and European patent offices for computer-implemented inventions in biotechnology and healthcare
Insulin dosing regimens, binding affinity prediction, determination of structural variation in nucleic acids, and identifying thermodynamically relevant polymer confirmations

Patents for MedTech AI: Opportunities and Pitfalls

Topics include:

How to assess the patentability of, and prosecute applications covering, artificial intelligence (AI) functionality embodied in emerging robotic systems

Strengthening Design Patent Portfolios: Strategies for Medical Device Companies

Topics include:

Reassessing how best to protect, license, and—if necessary—enforce medical device intellectual property due to legislative developments

IP for All Startups

IP Landscape of AI Hardware Startups

Topics include:

Current trends in hardware technologies for artificial intelligence (AI), and competitive landscape, detail patenting strategies of startups, and alternate intellectual property (IP) strategies adopted by AI hardware startups
Open source, copyright, trade-secret protection, and important practice tips for IP protection

Open Source Software: Risks and Rewards

Topics include:

Risks in trusting business functions to public code and when mixing open source software with company code
Developing a process to avoid negative consequences of commitment to a particular open-source software solution

Patents and Copyright and AI: Key Issues

Topics include:

Copyright authorship, registration, and enforcement of copyrights in connection with works created with AI
Review a number of AI content examples and analyze which may be copyrightable and by whom

Patent and Trade Secret Protections for Inventions that Use AI Background in Artificial Intelligence

Topics include:

Patents, trade secrets, and strengths/weaknesses
General rules for selecting patents or trade secret protection of AI technology
Detection of infringement or misappropriation

Protecting Your IP and Cybersecurity Issues for Your Startup

Topics include:

Intellectual property (IP) protection and cyber threats to your growing business

Ready for Launch – Protecting Your IP

Topics include:

The entire process from launch to market
Protecting your brand and technology

Cross-Border Investments

CFIUS and Other Considerations with Foreign Investors

Topics include:

How startups can successfully address novel issues when considering noncontrolling investments from foreign investors, which may affect your fundraising options

Cross-Border Issues: Compliance, Employment, and What Could Possibly Go Wrong in M&A Transactions

Topics include:

Cross-border matters in M&A transactions with a focus on China
Developments in employment and compliance, including data protection, the unreliable entities list, antitrust, and the social credit system

Making the Most of Cross-Border Deals in an Era of Heightened Regulatory Risk

Topics include:

Key cross-border regulatory issues as they may affect M&A transactions
Risk-based due diligence, key diligence questions, considerations for buyers and sellers, and issues to consider in Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and national security-related transactions

M&A Considerations within CFIUS & Trade Regulation

Topics include:

Risk-based due diligence
Key diligence questions
Considerations for buyers and sellers
Issues to consider in CFIUS and national security-related transactions

M&A Practice in the UK and the US: A Comparison (And Some Observations on the Impact of COVID-19)

Topics include:

Pricing mechanisms, execution risk, and seller warranties

M&A Transaction Round-Up

Deal Structuring: Threshold Questions to Ask and Answer from Either Side of the Table

Topics include:

Overview of the acquisition process
Determining the best acquisition structure from both a seller’s and a buyer’s perspective

Get the Facts on SPACs

Topics include:

Important legal issues, including additional fund options
Private investments in public equity, obtaining shareholder approval for potential mergers, and preparation for target companies

Getting to the Heart of It: The Anatomy of an M&A Transaction

Topics include:

An overview of various M&A structures—the ins and outs of an acquisition agreement
Factors to consider when deciding which M&A structure is best
Understanding the tax implications, commercial issues, and process of a particular deal

Impact of the Paycheck Protection Program on M&A Transactions

Topics include:

Potential risks and other diligence considerations of the Paycheck Protection Program

Issues to Consider in a New Venture Spin-Out

Read the Outline >>

Topics include:

Matters to evaluate when considering a spin-out
Technology, governance, and conflicts of interest

Key Issues in Tech M&A

Topics include:

Trends and critical issues found in today’s technology M&A transactions and how to address them

M&A and Investment into AI Companies

Topics include:

Key issues that buyers and investors frequently grapple with as they evaluate companies in the artificial intelligence (AI) space

M&A Academy: M&A Considerations Across the Ever-Changing Life Sciences Landscape

Topics include:

Market trends in M&A in the life sciences sector

Technology in M&A Transactions – What Parties Care About When Buying and Selling Technology

Topics include:

Transferability and assignability of key intellectual property and technology licenses
Important deal issues that buyers and sellers in M&A transactions care about when acquiring or selling technology assets

What You Need to Know About M&A and Investing in AI

Read the Insight >>

Topics include:

Specialized due diligence required in artificial intelligence (AI) matters
Complex issues that may arise in artificial intelligence matters

IPO Insights

The Lowdown on IPOs: Key Takeaways for Founders & Investors in High Growth Companies

Read the Insight >>

Topics include:

The Pros and Cons of an IPO Process
Preparing for the IPO
IPO Structure and Considerations
Choosing IPO Underwriters
Corporate Governance Considerations
Disclosure Requirements and Legal Considerations

Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) – A Path to Liquidity for Founders and Venture Capital Funds Investing in High Growth Companies

Topics include:

Pros and Cons of IPOs
Issues to Consider
Corporate Structure Issues

Preparing to Go Public: Roadmap for your Early-Stage Startup

Topics include:

How to set up your startup for success when going through an IPO
Practical advice to keep your company on the IPO track through economic turbulence.

AI in Digital Advisory Offerings: Regulatory Considerations

Topics include:

Artificial intelligence (AI) in digital advisory offerings

Biden-Harris Administration Takes on Digital Asset Regulation

Read the LawFlash >>

Topics include:

Six policy objectives
Calls on federal agencies to produce reports on how these objectives interact with the industry

How Do the New CFIUS Regulations Affect My Technology Company?

Topics include:

The need for US technology companies to address novel issues when considering noncontrolling investments from foreign investors

National Security-Related Considerations When Investing in US Companies

Read the Insight >>

Topics include:

Due diligence
Export control, sanctions, and FCPA compliance
US Government restrictions
Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)
Outbound investment review

Recent Developments in European FDI Laws and Their Impact on Technology Companies

Topics include:

Recent developments in Europe on foreign direct investment (FDI) law
Applicable FDI provisions that may significantly impact the transactional diligence and timing for the implementation of cross border transactions

Software As a Medical Device: US FDA Regulatory and Legal Framework

Topics include:

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) policies applicable to artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies when intended for healthcare applications

The New CFIUS Regulations: What Happens after February 13th? - Part 1

Topics include:

Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) regulations for foreign entities

The New CFIUS Regulations: What Happens after February 13th? - Part 2

Topics include:

Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) regulations for foreign entities

Protecting Your Data

AI and Data Privacy

Read the insight >>

Topics include:

An introductory session on artificial intelligence (AI) and data privacy

Cyberinsurance: Is Your Company Covered

Topics include:

The latest developments in cyberinsurance

Privacy and Data Security Issues in M&A Transactions

Topics include:

Key privacy and security issues in the marketplace
Regulated industries, impacts in cross-border deals, and other strategic considerations in both a corporate and commercial context

Understand Your Cyberthreats: Key Considerations in Your Company’s Cybersecurity

Topics include:

How you can better understand and protect against cyber-based threats to your growing business

Your IT Infrastructure and Systems – Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

Topics include:

Cybersecurity threat management and crisis response to incidents
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Security Rule standards applicable to vaccination records
Data collection and cross-border data transfer issues

Early Stage Commercial Agreements

Topics include:

A comprehensive overview of commercial agreements and issues for life sciences companies
How these agreements can set up an entrepreneur for success

Technology Transactions Impact All Startups: A Review and Considerations

Topics include:

Top issues impacting commercial and technology transaction agreements and their impact on startups
Negotiations and strategies and how to avoid pitfalls

Corporate Venture Capital Investments in US Startups (Part 1): Fund Formation and Investment Structures

Read the Insight (English) >> | Read the Insight (Japanese) >>

Topics include:

An overview of the fund formation process and investment structure options for corporate venture capital investors

Corporate Venture Capital Investments in US Startups (Part 2): Getting the Deal Done: Key Terms and Considerations

Read the Insight (English) >> | Read the Insight (Japanese) >>

Topics include:

Considerations in investment transactions by corporate venture capital investors

Corporate Venture Capital Trends

Topics include:

Corporate venture capital trends
Recent deal terms for the largest corporate venture capital deals

Morgan Lewis Corporate Venture Capital Survey

Tomorrow’s Technology Today

Becoming Well Metaversed, Pittsburgh Technology Council

Read the article >>

Topics include:

The practical use of the metaverse and the implications tied to issues such as intellectual property rights

Bias Issues and AI

Topics include:

Why bias occurs, how it manifests, the challenges it creates, and actions that can be taken to minimize its impact on artificial intelligence (AI)

Biotechnology, Medical Device, and Other Life Sciences Emerging Companies – Legal Strategies and Venture Capital Financing and Market Trends

Topics include:

Background on the biotech, pharma and medical device industry
Intellectual property, partnerships and collaborations
Venture capital investments

Getting Versed in the Metaverse, Pittsburgh Technology Council’s One Mic Stand

Listen to the podcast >>

Topics include:

Legal considerations of the metaverse including the emerging platform’s potential and the intellectual property, trademark, and contractual issues associated with the metaverse

HealthTech Emerging Companies: Legal Strategies, Venture Capital Financings and Market Trends

Topics include:

Healthcare innovation in today’s market
Legal strategies around commercialization strategy
Venture capital financing in the current funding climate

Investment Opportunities and Historical Risks in the EV Charging Market

Read the Insight >>

Topics include:

More demand in the overall EV market will allow for increased opportunities for investment
Easy charging infrastructure development and heavy charging platforms will accelerate demand

The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence for the Legal Profession

Topics include:

Artificial intelligence (AI) development and adoption in the legal profession—from its early adoption to its current state to where we think it is headed
Moral and ethical considerations AI use raises for lawyers and their clients

What’s Driving the Future of Asia’s Tech Scene: Key Trends and Regulatory Updates

Read the Insight >>

Topics include:

The Metaverse: Opportunities and Challenges in China and Singapore
ESG Strategies
IP Enforcement Trends in China
China’s Data Privacy Regime
CFIUS and Other National Security Factors
Disputes Involving Founders and Startup Companies
Mergers and Acquisitions Due Diligence

Other Considerations

Corporate Venture Capital Trends

Topics include:

Corporate venture capital trends
Recent deal trends and terms for the largest corporate venture capital deals

Making an Impact – Legal Considerations for ESG and Equality Investing

Topics include:

When and how should smaller, private companies think about an ESG strategy
Importance on consulting with stakeholders on ESG priorities

Market Trends Impacting Fintech

Topics include:

Significant market trends in the fintech sector and their impacts on startups

Maximizing the Value of Medical Device Innovations

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Topics include:

Strategies to help maximize the value of medical device innovations