Guest post by Erin McNeill  NPR recently did a story about Grand Rapids, Michigan’s inspiring response to a Newsweek article listing Grand Rapids as one of America’s “dying cities” with a “bleak” economic outlook. Many small and medium business owners can empathize with what the people of Grand Rapids felt in the face of such [...]

The trademark geeks lawyers at Sands Anderson have been debating how far a company should go to “police” its trademarks.  Entrepreneur Media  (publisher of Entrepreneur magazine and owner of Entrepreneur.com) got us thinking about it:  in attempts to protect its Entrepreneur brand, it sent cease and desist letters to EntrepreneurOlogy.com for workshops, EntrepreneurPR, a firm [...]

The resolving recession may have some permanent effects.  One good thing is the willingness of more law firms to negotiate fee arrangements that do not focus on the billable hour, frequently referred to as Alternative Fee Arrangements, or “AFAs.” 

Hire a really good lawyer who knows the ropes. In our last post, we covered dividing up the responsibility for work and success. This time, let’s talk about a crucial team member: your lawyer. Seriously. I know it sounds like a pitch, but I am sincere. Of course we hope that you will hire North [...]

Build your team early. In our last post, we covered normal deal terms that affect how ownership is divided and risk shared. This time, let’s talk about dividing up the responsibility for work and success. No matter how smart, committed, persistent, motivated, talented, indomitable and attractive you may believe yourself to be, no one can [...]

Know your financial structure. In our last post, we covered a number of factors that affect the founder’s ultimate ownership percentage. In this section, we have a bit more detail. What you need to know up front that the venture capital investment process has become highly standardized. In many ways this is a good thing. It helps [...]

“The time has come,” the VC said, “to talk of many things – Of Points and Pies and Preferences and Option Grants with Strings” (With apologies to Lewis Carroll)

With the media frenzy and political back and forth over the extension of the Bush Tax Cuts, you might have missed the 2010 Small Business Jobs Act (SBJA), signed into law on September 27, 2010. This new law includes a broad spectrum of tax relief designed to stimulate business investment and spending. The hope is [...]

Watch what you say. Last time, we focused on having a plan. As a corollary to presenting that plan in your conversations while seeking venture capital, here are some things you should never ever say (or at least do your best to avoid saying) to a venture capitalist: This is really several tips in one post. [...]

Delaware Chancery Court – that’s who!