Emerging Companies and Venture Capital

Emerging Companies

Robinson+Cole has assisted hundreds of start-up, emerging and fast growth companies during all stages of the business cycle, from seed capital to venture financing through exit strategy, mergers, acquisitions and IPOs. We have experience with a full range of industries, including biotechnology, business process outsourcing, consumer products, data analytics, digital media, entertainment, fashion and apparel, financial technology, food and beverage, health care, Internet and mobile device applications, manufacturing, media and analytics, medical device, software, and telecommunications. 

Our Services 

We provide our clients with practical legal assistance to help minimize the risks they face and to address the essential aspects of their businesses, including:

  • Choosing an appropriate business entity
  • Establishing ownership and equity rights
  • Licensing core technology
  • Protecting intellectual property
  • Structuring bridge, angel, and venture capital investments
  • Complying with licensing and tax requirements
  • Negotiating supplier and customer contracts
  • Preparing and implementing employment, proprietary information, and noncompetition agreements
  • Designing and preparing equity and equity-like incentive plans
  • Negotiating strategic agreements and joint ventures

Our Team

Our lawyers tailor their advice and solutions to meet the unique needs of early-stage companies, often with an eye toward future rounds of investment and exit strategies. Many of our lawyers previously worked in high growth businesses, and we understand that emerging companies want trusted advisors who provide practical and efficient legal advice.

Venture Capital

Robinson+Cole has extensive experience representing both venture-backed companies and venture capital firms in industries such as consumer products, finance, health care, food and beverage, technology, manufacturing, media and marketing, and retail. We understand the standards by which venture capitalists assess businesses, business plans and models, the types and terms of securities involved, and the dynamics of multi-investor groups and multiple series of equity. 

Our Services 

Our experience enables us to help clients navigate the often complicated issues involved in venture capital financings, as well as to provide advice and insight to those clients as they grow their businesses. We are well connected with leading venture capital firms across the country, and one of the most satisfying aspects of our work is facilitating appropriate introductions between clients seeking financing and investors with capital to place. 

Our Team

Our lawyers are actively engaged with the start-up, emerging company, and venture communities, serving as board members and participants of key industry groups, including the Angel Investor Forum, the Association for Corporate Growth, the Crossroads Venture Group, the MIT Enterprise Forum and the Growth Network of the Business Council of Fairfield County. 
 

    • Experience
      • A sample of our work includes the following transactions
      Continuity Venture Capital Q2 2012eTouches Venture Capital Q3 2012EVOL Venture CapitalFusion Optix Venture Capital Q2 2012HealthFleetHealth Warrior Venture Capital Q3 2012Kadenze - Q4 2013Orix Venture Capital Q2 2012PerkloudRevelry Venture Capital Q1 2013Verivo Venture Capital Q4 2013Verivo Venture Capital Q2 2013
    • News
      • November 14, 2017

        Robinson+Cole Sponsors ScaleUp CT Event

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      • October 26, 2017

        Robinson+Cole Participates in CVG's CT Tech Tour

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      • March 1, 2016

        Eric Kogan Quoted in Hartford Business Journal Publication

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      • February 23, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Lawyer Appointed to National Conference for Community and Justice Board of Directors

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      • February 12, 2016

        Matthew Guanci Appointed to the ACG Connecticut Board of Directors

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      • November 21, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Lawyer Participates in 2014 Innovation Summit

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      • August 19, 2014

        Eric Dale Quoted in HBJ Venture Capital Article

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      • January 22, 2014

        Eric Dale Elected President of Crossroads Venture Group Board of Directors

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      • October 21, 2013

        Super Lawyers® Names 61 Robinson & Cole Attorneys to 2013 List

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      • September 21, 2012

        Eric Dale Speaks at CVG 2nd Thursday "Marketing at the Speed of Light"

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      • December 19, 2011

        Boston Attorney Michael Wirvin Joins DCF Kids Fund

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      • October 12, 2011

        “What You Wish You Knew Before Selling Your Business” Prepares Business Owners for the Big Exit Event

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      • July 22, 2011

        Q2 Deal Report

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      • June 7, 2011

        “Competition for Capital in the Private Markets – What LP Investors Want in 2011” – A Signature Series Event at Robinson & Cole

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      • May 13, 2011

        Robinson & Cole Welcomes Partner Joseph B. White

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      • January 12, 2011

        Venture Capital is the Engine of Innovation in the Tech Sector

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      • January 5, 2011

        Robinson & Cole’s Deal Team Dominates Venture Deals in Q3

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      • November 8, 2010

        Program Examines Impact of the Dodd Frank Act on Non-financial Businesses

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      • August 6, 2010

        Private Equity Group Chair Sees Thaw of Venture Credit Capital Markets

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      • May 14, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Partner Says Venture Capital Data Portend Better Deal Flow

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      • March 10, 2010

        Robinson & Cole's Deal Team featured in Financial Sense Column on Trends in M&A Activity

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      • December 10, 2009

        Robinson & Cole Plays a Leading Role at Connecticut Digital Media Conference

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    • Publications + Presentations
    • "Term Sheets," presented by Stephen E. Cooper, as part of TechXel Stamford's Venture Expert Series. (11/20/2019)
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      "2015 Q3 Business Transactions Deal Report" (11/3/2015)

      "2015 Q2 Business Transactions Deal Report" (7/31/2015)

      "2015 Q1 Business Transactions Deal Report" (5/13/2015)

      "2014 Q4 Business Transactions Deal Report" (Feb 2015)

      "2014 Q2 Business Transactions Deal Report" (9/15/2014)

      "2013 Q4 Business Transactions Deal Report" (02/27/2014)

      "2013 Q3 Business Transactions Deal Report" (12/04/2013)

      "2013 Q2 Business Transactions Deal Report" (10/04/2013)

      "Navigating Business, Investment, and Legal Challenges Facing Entrepreneurs: Laying the Foundation for a Successful Start-Up," presented by Eric J. Dale, participated in Fairfield County Bar Association program that discussed the challenges faced by entrepreneurs seeking to build successful technology start-ups, including investment issues, management strategies, and matters relating to intellectual property protection (6/13/2013)

      "2013 Q1 Business Transactions Deal Report" (06/12/2013)

      "2012 Q4 Business Transactions Deal Report" (02/27/2013)

      "2012 Q3 Business Transactions Deal Report" (11/08/2012)

      "2012 Q2 Business Transactions Deal Report" (08/21/2012)

      "2012 Q1 Business Transactions Deal Report" (06/15/2012)

      "New Federal Case Will Have Practical Impact on Patent Litigation" authored by Amanda Gordon Schreiber (5/24/2012)

      "How to Prepare for and Present Business Opportunities to U.S. Investors," presented by Kathleen M. Porter, presented to CleanTech North entrepreneurs (4/4/2012)

      "2011 Q4 Business Transactions Deal Report" (03/30/2012)

      "CT's U.S. Attorney Announces Initiative against Financial Crimes" (02/28/2012)

      "Supreme Court Upholds Congressional Right to Change Copyright Protection" authored by Nuala E. Droney (01/20/2012)

      "Is Your Mobile Device Communications Policy Up-to-Date?" (01/09/2012)

      "2011 Q2 Business Transactions Deal Report" (12/23/2011)

      "SEC's Proxy Access Rule Vacated; Shareholder Proposals Regarding Proxy Access Permitted" (12/8/2011)

      "2011 Q3 Business Transactions Deal Report" (11/22/2011)

      "Advertising Law: NAD issues guidance for Facebook “like-gated” campaigns" (11/15/2011)

      "Join the Club? Guidelines to Avoid Litigation in the LBO Bidding Process" (11/04/2011)

      "What You Wish You Knew before You Sold Your Business," at Selling Your Business – A Case Study from Multiple Perspectives, presented by Eric J. Dale (10/6/2011)

      "Patent Reform Becomes Law" (09/30/2011)

      "Supreme Court Upholds Rights to Inventions under Bayh-Doyle Act" (07/06/2011)

      "Higher Standard to Show Invalidity of Patent Approved" (06/27/2011)

      "Supreme Court Heightens the Standard for Class Certification in Wal-Mart v. Dukes" (06/24/2011)

      "Can Connecticut's Economic Nexus Rule Withstand Judicial Challenge?" (11/11/2010)

      "FTC and DOJ Issue Revised Horizontal Merger Guidelines" (10/18/2010)

      "SEC Issues New Pay-To-Play Regulations on Investment Advisers" (07/20/2010)

      "Preferred Stockholders v. Common Stockholders: Who's Really the Preferred Stockholder?" authored by Eric M. Kogan (07/07/2010)

      "Court Rejects Bilski Patent Application but Leaves Door Open to Business Method Patents" (06/29/2010)

      "Patent Marking Audits: Shield Yourself From the Next Wave of Patent Troll Suits" (03/26/2010)

      "Letters of Credit - How a Seller Can Ensure Payment Even in a Bad Economy" (04/01/2009)

Our Team

Chair

Members