The attorneys in our multidisciplinary Startups & Emerging Companies Practice regularly advise startups and high-growth companies at every stage of their evolution and on the full spectrum of their legal issues. Our lawyers have represented entrepreneurs and emerging companies as well as private equity and venture capital companies that finance them. Having been on both sides of deals, we understand the issues that startups face. Drawing on our experience with a diverse group of industries, we are able to provide practical and economically sensible advice to startups and high-growth companies.

We help companies at all stages of their lifecycle. Typically, we begin with a free consultation to assess a company’s myriad legal needs, ranging from corporate structuring and tax to labor and immigration. We also use this time to determine how we might assist the startup by making useful introductions and facilitating networking opportunities with individuals in the business community. In many ways, our lawyers complement our clients' management teams.

From there, we often work with startups to identify and address their corporate, tax, regulatory and intellectual property needs. A number of the Hodgson Russ IP attorneys that are members of the Startups & Emerging Companies Practice have advanced technical degrees in addition to law degrees, affording them in-depth knowledge of and practical experience in software, energy, semiconductors, microelectronics, manufacturing, plastics, information technology, and automotive sciences.

We also assist companies with regulatory and compliance issues. When companies reach the appropriate stage of development, we represent them in their capital raising efforts through initial public and private offerings and loan transactions, exit strategies, acquisitions by strategic or financial buyers, mergers, restructuring, or growth opportunities.

In situations when litigation is necessary, lawyers from our Business Litigation Practice work together to advance our clients' causes in a practical and cost-effective manner.

Industries served by our Startups & Emerging Companies Practice include, among others, biotechnology, cleantech, digital media, health care, medical device, financial services, semiconductor, software, telecommunications, and advanced manufacturing. Our clients are both U.S. and foreign-based.

Jumpstart Plan

As part of our commitment to the success of the new generation of  innovators, and entrepreneurs, Hodgson Russ offers a proprietary Jumpstart Plan. After an initial free consultation to fully understand your startup's needs and objectives, our team will prepare a customized package of legal services, which will be provided to you at a special rate. Our Jumpstart Plan provides legal services including preparation and filing of documents and counsel in the following areas:

• Incorporation and formation
• Organization
• Capitalization
• Intellectual property
• Licensing and technology agreements
• Labor & Employment issues
• Regulatory issues

Our plan is designed to help startups and entrepreneurs prepare for a successful launch while overcoming the challenges of limited resources, time, and funding.

Funding

Hodgson Russ attorneys also represent principals and investors in organizing and offering private funds (including private equity funds, venture capital funds and other investment pools) and in ensuring fund compliance with Investment Company Act and Investment Advisers Act regulations. Our attorneys counsel private fund sponsors in connection with investment advisor and broker-dealer registration and compliance issues. We represent private equity and venture capital firms on an ongoing basis, and regularly represent issuers in negotiating venture capital and private equity transactions.