In substantially all of the major world markets, we have dedicated technology lawyers who support young German technology companies on their growth trajectory through all stages. As one of the top tech law firms in the world, we are particularly committed to bringing the American and German entrepreneurship ecosystems closer together.
For this purpose, we have launched the Orrick Legal Ninja Series (OLNS). With this series we will provide overviews on current legal trends and take deeper dives on certain legal topics that are particularly relevant for start-ups and their investors. This series will be co-authored by a multidisciplinary team of attorneys from our national and international offices. It is our goal to tap into the rich reservoir of the venture capital and technology law know-how of our international platform and make it available to the exciting German entrepreneurship and innovation scene.
Why “Ninja Series”? This title might simply reflect the fact that some of us watched a little too much TV in the 1990s. But, seriously, “Ninja” has come to signify “a person who excels in a particular skill or activity.” That’s what the Orrick team strives to be when it comes to providing tailored advice to growing tech companies and their investors. We hope that the OLNS also empowers you to be Ninja entrepreneurs.
For an overview of our German Technology Transactions Companies Practice, including recent transactions and further publications, click here.
#1: Venture Debt
Venture Debt - A potentially attractive complement to equity financings for start-ups that already have strong investors on board. This is a highly flexible instrument with very little dilutive effect for founders and existing investors.
#2: Convertible Loans
Due to flexibility and reduced complexity compared to fully-fledged equity financings, convertible loans are an important part of a start-up's financing tool box-up. In a nutshell: A convertible loan is generally not meant to be repaid, but shall rather be converted into an equity participation in the start-up at a later stage.
#3: Employment Law for Tech Companies
Young technology companies are focused on developing their products and bringing VC investors on board. Every euro in the budget counts, personnel is often limited, and legal advice can be expensive. For these reasons, legal issues are not always top of mind. But trial and error with employment law can quickly become expensive for founders and young companies.
#4: Corporate Venture Capital
Corporates are under massive pressure to innovate to compete with new disruptive technologies and a successful CVC program offers more than capital – access to company resources and commercial opportunities are key features that justify CVC’s prominence. This guide serves to share best practices for corporates and start-ups participating in the CVC ecosystem and also to ask important questions that will shape future direction.
Raising capital in the U.S. market is becoming a strategic consideration for many fast-growing German tech companies. This guide will show how European tech companies – and German ones in particular – get ready for fundraising in the U.S.
January.16.2020
December.10.2019
March.09.2020
December.03.2019
February.04.2020
November.07.2019
February.18.2020
November.21.2019
