A thoughtful strategic approach to equity structure and allocation is critical for all startups. Yet, over and over again, startups often make avoidable mistakes that can have catastrophic downstream effects. In our upcoming #DreamitLive, Managing Director Adam Dakin will speak with Geoff Starr, Esq., Partner at Cooley, about five common mistakes and how to avoid them. Geoff has developed much pattern recognition having counseled hundreds of digital health and medtech startups. Geoff will address your questions along with topics including:

• Improper allocation and vesting of founders’ equity. 

• Inaccurate, complex, and/or out of date cap tables.

• Setting an inappropriate valuation and/or using an uncapped note.

• Incorrect assumptions regarding funding requirements and milestone timelines.

• Unfounded assumptions regarding bridge round terms and participation. 

• Improper structuring of employee stock options

---

About Geoff Starr, Esq.

Geoff Starr focuses on representing clients operating in technology-focused industries, particularly life sciences, digital health, medtech and data analytics. He counsels clients on a wide variety of matters, including pre-incorporation/formation structuring, debt, equity and other capital-raising transactions, mergers and acquisitions (including cross-border and carve-out transactions), licensing transactions, and joint venture, partnering and other strategic alliances. Geoff also represents several national and international private equity sponsors and venture capital funds in their investment activities, as well as strategic buyers and sellers in their M&A transactions.