Learn how to “legally” startup your business — from intellectual property protection and shareholder agreements to contracts and financing, getting the right legal advice at the right time to save you money, reduce stress and avoid the coming — and deadly — traps that can kill your startup.
Session 1 agenda – You’ve got an idea; Now what?
Presenters: Cameron
Piron (President,
Synaptive
Medical)
Cheryl
Reicin (Partner,
Torys
LLP)
Anatomy of a startup
Topics: Have a clear goal and timeline; Having a business plan - Is a business plan “a living document”? Should it change? Making the most of limited resources; getting to proof-of-concept and prototype
Broadcasting your idea
Topics: How to attract talent and a team without compromising confidentiality? Is there property in an “idea”? What is a CDA and how do you get one? How to avoid getting stuck at the CDA stage. Easy steps to take to increase value of your start-up
Can we be friends forever?
Topics: Do you need to formalize your “handshake” with your friends? What can go right? What can go wrong? The most cost effective way of ensuring that there are no misunderstandings
Incorporating a company
Topics: Do you really need to incorporate? When? Why? How? Incorporation vs. unincorporated structure; shareholders’ agreements; accounting needs; Canadian corporation versus offshore corporation; What role does taxation play in decisions?
Taking money from friends and family
Topics: Is this a good idea? Should you cut your friends and family in “on the action”? What can go right? What can go wrong? What is the best path forward?
Government funding
Topics: Government grants and how to qualify
Angel investors
Topics: What is an “angel investor”? Are they, in fact, “angels”? What to watch for? How do I locate an angel investor? Should I try to commercialize without angel investors?
VCs
Topics: What is a “VC”? Should I seek them out or avoid them? What to watch for? How do I locate a VC? in Canada? in the US? in China? in EU?
How to be friendly (attractive) to further investment
Topics: Series A through to IPO; tax structures
How to do an effective pitch
Topics: How to lose an investment in the first 5 minutes. How to bait the line and draw in the fish? How best to prepare? How best to deliver? Follow up and lessons learned.