Services we provide
We have everything you need to launch and grow a successful business.
Troutman SEED's holistic approach combines the resources of an experienced, multi-disciplinary team into an affordable package for Startups and Emerging Growth Companies that are accepted into the program. The unique, discounted program includes a nominal entry fee, a full suite of Key Legal Documents, efficient and effective legal counseling, and, for no additional charge, mentoring in areas such as board development, company management, business plan review, and investor relations. In addition to the legal services offered though our SEED Program, SEED clients also benefit from our active and visible participation in the national ECVC community through the receipt of curated content, thought leadership initiatives, invitations to Troutman Pepper Locke sponsored events and networking opportunities that include other start-up companies, angel investors, family offices, seed and venture capital funds, strategic investors and other industry and ecosystem.
We have experience and depth in areas critical to emerging businesses, such as:
- Choice-of-entity analysis and equity allocation
- Organizational documents, including, Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaw, EIN and application
- Confidentiality, Non-Disclosure and Assignment Agreements
- Restricted Stock Agreements and Founders’ Arrangements, including vesting and forfeiture provisions
- Cap table design and ongoing capitalization support
- 83(b) election forms and instructions
- Consulting and Advisor Agreements (cash and equity based)
- Corporate governance and maintenance, including Board of Directors and Stockholder consents and governance support
- Friends and Family, angel and seed rounds (SAFEs, convertible notes and Series Seed Preferred Stock)
- Venture Capital and Growth Equity Financings (Series A Preferred Stock and beyond)
- Strategic investments and corporate venture capital transactions
- Venture debt and credit facilities
- Fundraising strategy, market terms and investor relations
- Intellectual property strategy and portfolio development (patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets)
- Intellectual property assignment, protection and enforcement strategies
- Technology, SaaS and software licensing agreements
- OEM, reseller, distribution and channel partner agreements
- Open source policies and compliance
- Customer and vendor contracts
- Terms of Use / Terms of Service and Website/Application Policies
- Strategic partnerships and joint ventures
- Supply, manufacturing and distribution arrangements
- Privacy-by-design counseling for products and platforms
- U.S. and international privacy compliance, as relevant to your sector
- Data security policies, incident response plans and data processing agreements
- Counseling on hiring practices and terminations
- Employment, independent contractor and consultant arrangements
- Employee handbooks and workplace policies
- Equity incentive plans, stock options and other equity-based compensation
- Employee benefits and related counseling appropriate for Emerging Growth companies
- Fintech, health care, life sciences, AI, digital health, and other industry-specific regulatory guidance
- Licensing and regulatory approvals
- Government Contracts
- Export controls, sanctions and other trade compliance issues
- Pre-dispute counseling and risk mitigation strategies
- Coordination with litigation teams if disputes arise
- Mergers, acquisitions and strategic combinations (buy-side and sell-side)
- Secondary liquidity programs and structured liquidity transactions
- IPO readiness and coordination with our capital markets and public company teams (for later-stage clients)