Startup Fundamentals 2: Developing a Funding Strategy

If you are an entrepreneur looking to turn your idea into a viable startup, join us for a 3-hour workshop hosted by Access Silicon Valley. This session aims to provide essential legal and business knowledge to help you create a fundable and scalable startup within the startup ecosystem.

This workshop is the second of three in the Access Silicon Valley Startup Fundamental Series, tailored for startup founders, executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, and developers. Attendance at all three workshops is beneficial, but this workshop can be attended independently, even if you missed the first.

We appreciate the support of our event sponsor, Snell & Wilmer.

WORKSHOP CONTENT

In this session, Roger Rappoport, a former entrepreneur and founder of Access Silicon Valley, will lead an interactive discussion. Roger, a partner at Snell & Wilmer and co-leader of its Emerging Growth and Venture Capital practice group, will share insights on how successful startups in Silicon Valley create and execute effective funding strategies to secure investments from angel, seed, and venture capital investors. Gain knowledge on the optimal ways to raise the necessary funds to launch and grow your startup.

Topics to be Discussed:

• Creating a funding strategy tailored to your startup
• Timing and amount of funds to raise, and potential investors
• Risks associated with raising too much or too little from investors
• Recognizing your company's valuation inflection points
• Understanding seed, angel, and venture capital funding differences
• Exploring alternative funding options
• Choosing suitable funding instruments for each funding round, including convertible notes, SAFEs, common stock, and preferred stock
• Evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of equity sales, convertible instruments, and venture debt
• Finding and connecting with the right investors
• Strategies to enhance your company's pre-money valuation

Materials Provided:

All registered participants will receive a comprehensive 50-page digital workbook containing an actionable step-by-step guide on the day of the event.

Event Schedule:

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Dinner and networking

6:00 PM - 6:15 PM - Introductions of speakers and sponsors

6:15 PM - 7:30 PM - Startup workshop Part A

7:30 PM - 7:45 PM - Break

7:45 PM - 8:45 PM - Startup workshop Part B

8:45 PM - 9:00 PM - Question and Answer session

Seating is limited, so please secure your spot early.

About the Presenter:

Roger Rappoport, a partner at Snell & Wilmer and co-leader of the Emerging Growth and Venture Capital Practice Group, is an experienced advisor to startups and emerging growth companies, as well as the investors who support them. With over 20 years in the startup ecosystem, Roger specializes in venture capital and angel financing, including convertible notes, SAFEs, and other debt financing options. His expertise also encompasses mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, distribution, development, manufacturing, licensing transactions, executive compensation, and equity incentive plans.

He has a wealth of experience advising both startups and established emerging growth companies, particularly in sectors such as software, information technology, Internet, communications technology, cleantech, and life sciences. Roger has co-authored several publications, including “Investor Agreements in a Financing Transaction” in *Financing California Businesses*, and articles on considerations for startups regarding loans under the Paycheck Protection Program and changes in convertible instruments for early-stage financing.

Roger frequently speaks and participates in panels on topics related to company formation and funding strategies. Prior to law school, he founded a technology company that generated $10 million in revenue.

He maintains strong connections with investors in Silicon Valley and is an active angel investor. As an attorney, he has participated in numerous transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and venture capital financing.

Additionally, Roger is the founder of Access Silicon Valley, a platform that connects entrepreneurs globally with leading Venture Capitalists and experienced entrepreneurs. Explore the Access Silicon Valley Video Fireside Chat Series, featuring discussions with representatives from prominent VCs like Andreessen Horowitz, Foundation Capital, Floodgate, Venrock, Canaan Partners, and others.