Structure Law Group, LLP startup lawyers are proud to have represented startups that grew and expanded until they became major players in the tech industry. With locations in Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Austin, TX, and Portland, OR, we have locations in four of the largest tech hubs anywhere in the world. Our firm was there in the mid-’90s helping Silicon Valley entrepreneurs create the economic landscape of the future during the “dot com boom”. With decades of experience helping businesses get started, we are qualified to help your Portland startup get off the ground, secure funding for your venture, meet regulatory obligations, and keep your investors happy until your company is ready for the next phase of its life cycle.
SLG’s approach is to focus on the total life cycle of your company. This includes securing funding, growth management, and exit strategies. We will help you and the decision-makers at your company understand the pros and cons of every move you make. We help new businesses incorporate, choose a corporate structure, draft stakeholder arrangements, equity incentive programs, and more.
As your Portland area company continues to grow, SLG attorneys will be your trusted advisors as we help you balance the needs of your venture against the needs of your investors, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies. We can assist you in the sale or dissolution of your company if the time is right. We have helped both public and private companies manage transactions ranging from a few hundred thousand dollars to hundreds of millions of dollars.
Our Portland startup attorneys take pride in representing entrepreneurs in the earliest phases of their venture’s development. We work closely with your stakeholders to understand your company’s goals, culture, and benchmarks. With the resources and reach of a large firm, we provide the individual attention of a small firm. With our expert advice, your company can move forward confidently knowing it has made the best decisions concerning funding acquisition, tax and regulatory issues, liability concerns, and more. Below, we will discuss some of the relevant services we provide to Portland startups.
Crowdfunding for Portland StartupsCrowdfunding sites like GoFundMe and Patreon are becoming increasingly popular for small ventures. However, there are certain regulatory issues that apply to businesses that would not necessarily apply to individuals. Patreon and other crowdfunding donations are subject to SEC regulations when they apply to business ventures. Startups that are looking at crowdfunding as a means of securing capital must comply with SEC regulations to avoid legal problems that can arise from not understanding how the law applies.
The SEC requires that all crowdfunding transactions go through an intermediary such as a broker-dealer or a funding portal. The SEC further places caps on the total amount of capital
that can be raised on these sites and how much money a single investor may donate over a 12-month period. The SEC also requires substantial disclosures be made to investors, the crowdfunding platform, and the SEC itself. Violations of these requirements can result in “bad actor disqualification” which can result in the individual being barred from asking for money on these platforms again.
Startups considering crowdfunding as a platform will need a skilled Portland startup attorney to ensure they are in compliance with federal regulations. Such considerations can prevent substantial future losses.
Venture Capital for Portland StartupsTraditionally, capital for startups has been secured through venture capital and hedge funds. However, today’s startups have more options. The Portland corporate attorneys at SLG can help assist you during the process of securing funding by ensuring proper reporting and disclosures are made in accord with current regulations.
Moreover, SLG doesn’t just help your startup meet regulatory requirements. Our attorneys are well connected to industry insiders and facilitate introductions to our network of board members, financial advisors, operational advisors, as well as refer you to bankers and CPAs. SLG startup attorneys will help link your venture to experienced contributors who will help you lay the foundation for your future success.
Investor Agreements and Personal Investments for Portland StartupsSLG’s Portland legal team draft and update investor agreements to meet the changing needs of your venture. Our approach has a proven track record of success. We can help you structure stakeholder relationships through:
As your Portland startup continues to expand, SLG will help you balance the needs of venture capital and other investments against the goals of your venture. We can also help you avoid regulatory issues that emerge from donations made by friends and family or other personal investments.
Provisions in Investment Agreements Will Include the Following:Your company will need to make these choices in concert with your SLG Portland startup attorneys.
ICOs and Blockchain Funding for Portland StartupsInitial coin offerings, also known as ICOs, employ blockchain technology to help businesses use the latest technology to secure contributions. Any company can set up an ICO with the right technical skill, but there are legal pitfalls to the process that have landed some companies in trouble.
The SEC regulates securities, which means that some ICO tokens fall under the aegis of SEC regulation while other ICO tokens do not. Companies that offer equity stakes in the venture through the use of ICOs are subject to SEC regulations. However, companies can also offer utility tokens that offer company services in exchange for the investment. Companies that confuse the two have faced investor lawsuits, SEC fines, and major reputational damage. Obviously, you don’t want your startup mired in legal troubles before you’ve had a chance to make a name for yourself. Our attorneys can help you raise funds using ICOs safely and legally.
Business Loans for Portland StartupsWhatever can’t be raised using other channels can be offset in the form of a loan. However, loans can be tricky as banks generally require that bank debt has the highest priority. This can land you in trouble with other investors if you have made promises. SLG will help conduct a document review of your existing agreements to ensure that a loan does not interfere with assurances you’ve given to other vested parties. SLG’s Portland startup attorneys can help you avoid these pitfalls.
Contact a Portland Startup Attorney TodayStructure Law Group, LLP has helped startups emerge as major players in the tech industry. With offices in Los Angeles, San Jose, Austin, TX, and Lake Oswego, OR, we are ideally situated to help emerging tech industry companies secure funding, structure their business, and ensure their future growth. Call today at (503) 388-3000 to schedule an appointment or fill out our online form, and we can begin discussing your business plan immediately.