Funding & Capital Raising
Securities Straight Talk Vol. 2: Out With the Old (Rule 505), In With the New (Rule 504) 

The SEC released its final ruling that amends Rule 504 and repeals Rule 505, altering Reg D as we know it. In a nutshell, the SEC has combined the best of Rule 504 (unlimited investors, no accredited investor requirement, no burdensome disclosures) with the best of Rule 505 (a $5,000,000 offering limit).


Funding & Capital Raising
Securities Straight Talk Vol. 1: Securities Laws Matter To Startups (Yes, Yours Too) 

So, what exactly is a security, and how does it relate to my startup? In this blog series, we will provide the straight talk on federal and state securities laws to help you navigate the web of regulation.


Intellectual Property
The Oddish Intersection of Property Rights and Augmented Reality

Pokémon Go, and similar apps, have now forced us to consider a new right that may be tied to property: your virtual rights.


Crowdfunding
Texas State Securities Board Approves New Crowdfunding Rules

As I wrote last week, crowdfunding in Texas is literally, right around the corner. By a 4-0 vote yesterday, the Texas State Securities Board approved rules to regulate equity crowdfunding in Texas. The rules will go into effect in late […]


Crowdfunding
SEC Releases Long-Standing Proposed Crowdfunding Rules

Finally! Ten months after they were supposed to be released, the SEC released the proposed crowdfunding rules to the general public on October 23, 2013. The proposed rules are currently in the middle of the 90-day comment period, and as […]


Funding & Capital Raising
House Passes October 31 Deadline For Section IV Of JOBS Act

On May 15, 2013, the House approved H.R. 701, a bill that requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to finalize Section IV of the JOBS Act by October 31, 2013. Section IV of the JOBS Act, titled Small Company Capital […]


Sports & Gaming
General Update on Pick’em Contests

For our Fantasy Sports and Gaming clients, VW Senior Attorney Blake Hart has provided an update on the evolving situation with Pick’em contests!


General Business
Corporate Transparency Act Q&A

We answer some FAQs about the Corporate Transparency Act, which requires most businesses to file a Beneficial Ownership Information report to report certain information regarding the business, its beneficial owners, and company applicants.


Corporate Governance
ESOP v. Stock Options: What’s the difference?

We often get clients asking for an ESOP Plan when they are actually thinking of a Stock Option Plan or Equity Incentive Plan. In this blog, we go over the difference between an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Stock Options.


Funding & Capital Raising
Venture in the Middle: Bridge Rounds in a Down Funding Environment

Venture financings are at a two-year low, which is predictable given the current state of the economy. But startups need capital even during downtimes, so bridge rounds tend to increase. Here are a few tips for navigating bridge rounds in a down funding environment.