financing your company:
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Technology Commercialization and Venturing Workshop: Financing Your
Company
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Center for Automation Technologies and Systems
September 13, 2006
Richard E. Honen, Esq.Phillips Lytle LLP
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Raising Capital: Business Plans
In any scenario, you will need some form of business plan
Include discussion of relevant market and realistic pro forma financials
Be prepared; think of it as your company’s resumé
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Raising Capital: Choice of Entity
Choice of business entity refers to corporation, limited liability company, or other form of organization
Involves tax and structural issues
A major factor is the extent to which you plan to seek venture capital investment
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Raising Capital: Characteristics of Debt, Equity and Grants
Debt needs to be repaid but is largely non-dilutive
Equity represents ownership –no present obligation to repay
Grants may often be the most available and familiar vehicle
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Raising Capital: Characteristics of Common and Preferred Stock
Common stock carries voting and ownership proportionate to the holding
Preferred stock carries a level of control and return disproportionate to the level of the holding
Preferred stock characteristics typically include provisions on dilution, return, voting, and treatment of founders’ equity
Same characteristics apply without regard to choice of business entity
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Types of Debt: Government Financing
Federal, state, county, municipal and other loan programs or credit enhancement programs are available
Underwriting process and terms are usually cognizant of a new company’s situation
The process can be slow, but often no slower then traditional equity given today’s capital environment
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Types of Debt: Traditional Asset Based Lending
If the company is credit-worthy or there is sufficient ancillary capital (other then intellectual property), bank financing may be available
Must be able to hit the bank’s ratios
Personal guaranties will normally be required
The presence of government or bank financing is often a comfort to later investors
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Types of Debt: Self Financing
Aging payables, factoring receivables, giving customers discounts for up-front payments, and skipping paychecks are all ways of financing growth through operations
Must have actual operations and some level of revenue
Frugality is no longer considered a bad business practice
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Types of Equity: Seed Capital
The capital used to start a venture
Usually comes from the founders or friends, and usually takes the form of common stock
Very few funds make seed capital investments
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Types of Equity: Angel Capital
Angels are high net worth individuals who often invest based on management, interest or geographic region
Angel groups are increasingly working together to make joint investments
Angels may be satisfied with common stock with some preferences
Local angel group www.techvalleyangels.com
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Types of Equity: Institutional Venture Capital
Venture capital funds invest much higher amounts than do angel investors
Funds always require preferred securities with full panoply of preferred rights
Must normally be beyond the concept or technology transfer stage
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Types of Equity: Strategic Investors
Large companies investing in their own space (or in a space in which the strategic investor wants a foothold)
Terms are similar to terms required by venture capital funds
Licensing or a customer relationship may often be a key component
Beware of the lack of the shared greed protection
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Hybrid Investments: Convertible Debt
Very popular for early stage companies
The investment is made as a loan, and is convertible to equity on the terms of the next venture financing
Very flexible
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Securities Issues: General Concepts
The process of raising money is governed by Federal and state securities laws
Disclaimers are often used to document the level of risk
More protections apply to non-accredited investors
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Negotiating and Practice Points
Keep your eye on the big picture
Concentrate on deal-level points and be aware of the strategy behind the acquisition
Understand why the other party needs a given point
Involve your advisors early
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Please call or mail with any questions or comments:
Richard E. HonenPhillips Lytle LLP
Omni PlazaAlbany, New York 12207
518-472-1224 x [email protected]
www.phillipslytle.com
© Phillips Lytle LLP 2006