Panel Gives Startups Valuable Legal and Financial Advice

By Katy E. Ward

Startups were kick-started at Wednesday’s engaging panel discussion at Grant Thornton.  The panel, “Kick-Start Your Startup,” was a collaborative effort between Grant Thornton, New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC), New England Women in Energy and the Environment (NEWIEE), and Mintz Levin.

Ali Adler, the Northeast Regional Director of Cleantech Open, skillfully guided the four panelists through a well-rounded overview of business law, tax law and what’s happing in M&A and investments to a group of early-stage start-ups.  The speakers included Mintz Levin’s own Hannah Coman, who gave a business law overview and stressed the importance of founders’ agreements and issuing stock as soon as the entity is formed.  Alan Osmolowski and Stefanie Foisy of Grant Thornton touched on the tax implications of a LLCs, corporations and partnerships and other important considerations for a startup—I learned that a partner in a partnership (or LLC treated as a partnership) cannot be classified as an employee for tax purposes.  Finally, Tyler Dewing of Harris Williams &Co. updated the group on the M&A and VC market, providing a cleantech investment activity overview—did you know that VC investment through 3Q 2013 has already surpassed invested capital in 2012?

Thanks to Ali and all of the panelists for an informative session.

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  • Katy E. Ward

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    Katy E. Ward

    Contract Attorney

    Katy E. Ward practices environmental law and corporate and securities law at Mintz. Katy's environmental law practice includes litigating in state and federal court. Her corporate practice focuses on the venture capital space, representing venture capital firms and emerging companies.