Fair Use in Copyright Law
Fair use is a flexible standard that lets artists borrow portions of prior works to use as building blocks for new art and literature.
PNW Startup Lawyer
Helping founders navigate corporate law, venture capital, and intellectual property.
SAFE Financings Explained Line by Line
A SAFE is a quick and simple doc startups use to raise seed capital. Although simple, there's still a learning curve. This post gives a line-by-line explanation of how a SAFE works.
Should Early Employees Get Anti-Dilution Rights?
Employee anti-dilution rights are problematic, unnecessary, and generally unfair to other stockholders.
Rules for Granting Employee Stock Options
Startups issue equity to employees under Rule 701. The gist of Rule 701 is that a company can issue equity (1) to an employee or service provider (2) as compensation, (3) under an equity plan, (4) but not too much equity.
Do I Need to Send My 83b to the IRS with my Annual Tax Returns?
No. The IRS recently changed this rule. If you received stock after Jan 1, 2016, you don't need to file your 83b elections with your annual tax returns.
Should I Incorporate in Washington or Delaware?
Both are good choices. Washington is cheaper. Delaware is familiar to out-of-state investors and lawyers.
Fix a Missed 83(b) Deadline
If you have missed the 30 day filing deadline, there are a few tactics lawyers can use to clean up this tax election.
83(b) Elections for Startup Founders
This tax filing should be called ‘free money for startup founders.’ Do not miss the 30 day filing deadline.
Vesting Schedules
A vesting schedule doles out equity grants over time, or according to project milestones.
Startup Employee Equity Compensation
Employee equity, including stock options and related tax issues.
Exits, Acquisitions and IPOs
Curated links on exits and acquisitions for technology startups.
Raising Capital for Startups
Curated links on raising seed and early VC capital for technology startups.
Convertible Debt vs. Equity
Curated links discussing the relative advantages of equity vs. convertible debt financing for early stage companies.
Startup Boards and Advisors
Curated links on finding the best board members and advisors for a startup.
Founder Agreements
Curated links on cofounder agreements, initial equity splits, issuing shares and making an 83b tax election.