When transitioning IP from the lab into a start-up business, the decision regarding how to structure that business is an important one – in fact, it can have a profound impact on the long-term success of the company. Why? Because the structure you ultimately choose will define the complexity of your business, and it will either help or limit your ability to raise capital. It may also subject you to, or shield you from, federal duties and taxes. And lastly, it will either protect personal assets from creditors or allow them the right to pierce the corporate veil.
For university-based start-ups, it’s even more vital to properly define the business structure so the university and other major stakeholders understand the risks and benefits of moving IP from lab to start-up and beyond.
Join Tech Transfer Central’s Distance Learning Division and our ace team of presenters, who will conduct a deep-dive webinar workshop into the various business types, their pros and cons, and their impact on key business issues. Here’s a brief look at the agenda:
- LLC, LP, C-Corp, S-Corp, Not for profit: Understand the differences and purposes of each structure
- Review pros and cons of each structure
- How each structure is set up to handle debt and financing options
- Addressing IP ownership issues
- Review real-life case studies: What went wrong and the outcomes
Meet your team of presenters:
Moderator:
Paul J. Corson
Director of Entrepreneurship
Office of Technology & Venture Commercialization
University of Utah
Paul supports the creation, incubation, and acceleration of faculty startups. Previously, he was Chief of Staff for the Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship in the University of California Office of the President, where he spearheaded efforts across the UC System to enhance, expand, and promote technology commercialization, as well as student and faculty entrepreneurship. Paul has also held executive-level positions in the public and private sectors, including Executive Director of Innovation Fund America; acting director of the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the U.S. Department of Commerce; and at multiple startup companies in the United States and abroad.
Presenters:
Blake E. Christian, CPA, MBT
Partner
HCVT, LLP
Blake Christian has 35 years’ experience as a CPA, and has been a Tax Partner at HCVT, LLP for over 23 years. He opened the firm’s Long Beach, CA, office and recently the Park City, Utah office. He provides tax consulting and compliance services to clients that include multinational, publicly traded corporations, as well as closely held owner-managed businesses. He has authored over 200 articles and is a frequent speaker on tax and economic matters.
Eric L. Miller
Co-founder and CEO
Avi-on Labs, CEO of SCVsoft
Eric is an entrepreneur and a leader in the energy efficiency, home and commercial energy control area for over 25 years. Eric has held a number of senior management positions with leading companies including Trilliant, Mohr Davidow Ventures, Itron, Silicon Energy, Foresight Energy, Kenetech, and AES. He has testified before the U.S. Congress, California Legislature, and Public Utility Commissions nationwide.
Elizabeth D. Sigety, Esq.
Partner
Fox Rothschild LLP
Liz is a Partner at Fox Rothschild LLP, a national law firm with approximately 800 attorneys in 22 offices coast to coast. She is co-chair of the firm’s National Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Practice and co-chair of the firm’s Franchising, Licensing and Distribution Practice. Liz focuses her practice on a wide variety of corporate work, with an emphasis on the representation of fast-growth, venture-backed companies and businesses that wish to expand through franchising. Liz is also Managing Director and Co-Founder of Delaware Crossing Investor Group, an angel investor network with chapters in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In this capacity, she has been investing and advising start-up companies in the PA, NJ, NY, CT and DE region for over a decade. She is also a frequent speaker and writer, especially on issues facing emerging businesses, franchised businesses and women-led businesses and serves on numerous committees and organizations in the venture capital and franchise arena.
