Venture Capital
As one of few firms that advise on the complete spectrum of venture capital work – equity investments, growth or venture debt, fund formation and corporate venturing - we are intimately familiar with market deal terms, structures and trends (and the pitfalls to avoid!).
Decades of experience advising at the initial start-up phase, through the full series of equity funding rounds and growth or venture debt raises, any bolt-on acquisitions or joint ventures and ultimately through to an exit (including M&A transactions, secondary buyouts and IPOs ), means we provide clients with efficient and comprehensive support. At an early stage we can foresee and resolve issues which may have an adverse impact on a future fundraising or the potential exit, giving clients a real commercial advantage. In delivering advice and guidance, we take into account the development stage of each company coupled with its future plans. This enables clients to prioritise legal work streams in a cost-effective manner.
Working with clients who live and breathe cutting-edge technology is part of Bird & Bird's DNA. We advise innovative companies and investors that are heavily reliant on intangible assets from across a broad range of industries. These include insurtech, fintech, regtech, robotics, cybersecurity, cleantech, edtech, healthtech, biotech and life sciences, as well as companies with SaaS models which utilise AI or blockchain solutions or embrace the Internet of Things.
The venture team are supported continually by our other specialist departments. Our award-winning IP practice guides evolving companies in understanding how best to cost-effectively protect their assets (whether they are product designs, copyrights, including source code, trade secrets, brands or otherwise) and our market-leading commercial experts have a deep understanding of how businesses work and understand the key drivers applicable to our clients'' sectors. Our data protection team provides invaluable support to clients during this time of major regulatory change and our employee incentive and tax teams regularly advise on tax efficient structuring for investors, founders and employees.
