Emerging Companies & Venture Capital
Receiving incisive and business-oriented counsel, when and where it matters most, is an invaluable asset for emerging businesses and those who invest in them — which is why so many emerging companies and investors engage Arnold & Porter. Our multidisciplinary Emerging Companies and Venture Capital team works closely with developing companies (from their initial formation through the full life cycle, up to and including an IPO or a sale of the company), venture capital funds, strategic and corporate investors, family offices, and angel investors to provide a broad range of services and advice in core financial, structural, and operational areas. Our deep experience working closely and collaboratively with both operating companies and investors inspires clients to involve us in all aspects of their businesses and to act on our efficiently delivered solutions that are specific to their industry sectors and business strategies.
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Formation, Structure and Founder Arrangements: Choice of legal entity; corporate formation; founders’ agreements; equity incentive plans; and initial IP contribution and protection.
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Capital Raising and Other Financings: Preferred stock, convertible debt, and SAFE financings; venture debt; bank debt; and equipment leasing.
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IP and Product Development and Distribution: IP licensing and acquisitions, including university licensing; IP protection, including trademark and patent prosecution; development and professional services agreements; and manufacturing, distribution, and hosted application transactions.
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Technology Infrastructure: Equipment purchasing and leasing; and co-location, managed hosting, and content delivery agreements.
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Strategic Partnerships and Joint Ventures: Negotiating and structuring the whole gamut of strategic partnerships and joint ventures, including in IP, development, international growth, and teaming.
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Exit Transactions: Acquisition and sale transactions, including spin-outs; IPOs; follow-on public offerings; S-3 shelf registrations; PIPEs transactions; and 144A debt financings.
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Executive Compensation: Equity incentive plans, bonus arrangements, and carve-out plans.
Experience Highlights
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Aperia Technologies Inc., a manufacturer of devices for commercial vehicles, in formation, venture capital financings, strategic collaborations, and other general corporate matters.
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DBL Partners, a venture capital fund, in numerous venture capital investments.
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Luminous Computing in corporate matters and in negotiation of a wide range of IP license and services agreements in support of the development of a photonics-based supercomputer for artificial intelligence applications.
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In-Q-Tel, the independent, strategic venture organization established by the US government to support the missions of the CIA and the broader US intelligence community, in dozens of investment transactions involving early stage technology companies.
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Nanoscale Components, a battery technology company, in financings and strategic partnerships.
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Nielsen BioSciences, a biologics company, in general corporate, employment, executive compensation, and strategic transactions matters.
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Novartis and Pfizer, biopharmaceutical companies, in numerous investments in early stage biotechnology companies through their respective strategic venture arms.
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Onymos Inc., an app platform, in its formation and financings.
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Revolution Ventures in numerous venture capital investments.
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Simpl Inc., an Indian payments company focused on the buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) space, on general corporate and finance matters, including a $40 million Series B preferred equity financing led by IA Ventures and Valar.