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Raising money changes a company. Founders take on investors, a board and obligations that last for years.
We help startups get the legal foundation right before the first check arrives, and we negotiate financing terms that fit the company's plans. Our clients range from founders forming their first company to venture-backed companies raising later rounds, and our corporate practice extends to established companies that need help with governance, equity compensation and strategic transactions.
Attorney
What We Handle
Formation and Founder Equity
Choosing the entity, issuing founder shares with vesting, filing 83(b) elections and making sure the company owns its intellectual property.
SAFEs and Convertible Notes
Early financings that convert into equity at a later priced round.
Priced Equity Rounds
Term sheets, stock purchase agreements, investor rights and the charter changes a preferred round requires.
Cap Table and Equity Compensation
Option plans, grants and a cap table that matches the company's records.
Securities Compliance
Offering exemptions, Form D filings and state notice filings for each raise.
Board and Investor Governance
Consents, board meetings, investor rights and reporting obligations after the round closes.
Getting Ready for Investors
Investors' counsel will review the company's formation documents, board and stockholder consents, cap table, intellectual property assignments and key contracts. Gaps such as unsigned founder agreements, missed 83(b) elections or informal equity promises to early employees slow a round down and can change its terms. We find and fix these before diligence starts.
Representing Companies and Founders
We primarily represent companies and their founders, from a first SAFE with friends and family through priced preferred rounds led by institutional investors. On each round we explain how the terms affect control, dilution and future raises, so founders can decide which points are worth negotiating.
How We Help at Each Stage
Early Money
SAFEs and convertible notes, with the securities filings each raise needs.
Priced Rounds
Series Seed and Series A financings, often after an LLC-to-corporation conversion.
Closing a Company
How a Financing Comes Together
Preparation
Clean formation documents, a current cap table and signed IP assignments before investors look.
Term Sheet
Valuation, investment amount, investor rights and board seats are agreed in principle.
Negotiation
Final terms are worked out with the lead investor and its counsel.
Due Diligence
Investors review the company's legal records, contracts and capitalization.
Closing
Documents are signed, funds are wired and the company issues the new securities.
After Closing
Securities filings, investor updates and board governance under the new terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question that isn't answered here? Call us at (817) 631-8842 or send a message.
Ask a QuestionShould my startup be an LLC or a corporation?
Companies planning to raise venture capital are usually formed as Delaware corporations, because that is what most institutional investors expect. An LLC can fit better for a company funded by revenue or a small group of investors. We help founders weigh taxes, investor plans and administrative cost before forming.
What is the difference between a SAFE and a convertible note?
Both let a company raise money now and issue equity later, usually at the next priced round. A convertible note is debt, with an interest rate and a maturity date. A SAFE is not debt and has neither. Our articles on SAFEs and convertible notes cover both.
Do founders need vesting on their own shares?
Most investors expect it, and it protects the company and the other founders if someone leaves early. A founder who receives stock subject to vesting should consider an 83(b) election, which must be filed with the IRS promptly after the grant; the deadline is short and can't be extended.
What securities filings does a startup raise require?
Most private raises rely on an exemption from registration, often Rule 506(b) or 506(c) of Regulation D. Those offerings generally require a Form D filed with the SEC on a short deadline after the first sale, plus notice filings in the states where investors live.
More in Startups, Entity Formation, and Venture Capital
- SAFEs and Convertible NotesEarly-stage financings that turn into equity at the next priced round.Learn More
- Priced Equity RoundsSeries Seed and Series A preferred stock rounds, on the company side.Learn More
- Securities ComplianceExemptions, offering documents and filings for private capital raises.Learn More
- Founder Equity and VestingFounder stock, vesting, IP assignments and the first cap table.Learn More
- Equity CompensationOption plans, restricted stock and profits interests for employees and advisors.Learn More
- Business Entity FormationChoosing and forming the right entity, with documents that fit the owners.Learn More
- Operating Agreements and Formation DocumentsCompany agreements, partnership agreements and shareholder agreements.Learn More
- Entity ConversionsChanging entity type or home state without starting a new company.Learn More
- Shareholder and Buy-Sell AgreementsTransfer limits, buyout triggers and pricing terms the owners agree on in advance.Learn More
- Fund FormationStructuring and documenting venture capital and private equity funds.Learn More
- Dissolution and Wind-UpWinding up and terminating a Texas LLC or corporation the right way.Learn More
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