Corporate - Venture Capital | Overview

• Overview
• People
• Relevant Work
• News
• Publications

Our Venture Capital Practice is actively involved with organisations and initiatives in and outside London to support the growth and development of entrepreneurial businesses. Our practice is wide ranging, advising growing companies and entrepreneurs as well as "business angels" and seed and venture capital funds. We provide strategic and commercial advice to supplement our legal expertise and we pride ourselves on our ability to give a personal level of service.

Whether acting for founders, investors or the investee company, our approach to client relationships is that we are not just there to "paper the deal" but to be strategic partners and business advisers. If asked to do so, we are happy to make introductions to any of our established links within the industry.

Specialist Advice

Our practice encompasses:

• Corporate/Commercial - Structuring, drafting, negotiating and advising on all relevant investment documents (from both investor and investee perspectives). These include subscription and shareholders' agreements, articles of association and finance and security documents. We also have a broad range of commercial experience including drafting terms and conditions of business and commercial contracts.
• Tax - Advising both investors and entrepreneurs on how best to structure an investment tax efficiently. We also have expertise in share incentive arrangements, including advice on the availability of, and tax advantages associated with, enterprise management incentive (''EMI'') options (to incentivise key employees) and the enterprise investment scheme (''EIS'') (to give tax relief to investors).
• Employment - We are able to identify any key employment issues that arise and, whether acting for the entrepreneur or investor, produce clear and effective service agreements.
• Intellectual Property - We regularly advise growing companies on intellectual property and branding issues including trade mark and domain name searches and registrations. We also give growing businesses expert advice on protecting, enforcing and exploiting their intellectual property rights.
• Tax and Legal Planning for Business People - We advise individuals on personal taxation issues and assist with lifetime and estate tax planning. We have extensive experience with wills, trusts, administration of estates and other private client concerns as well as devising personal tax planning structures.
• eCommerce and Technology - Many of our clients are at the forefront of developments in e-commerce and technology
• Industry Expertise: Our clients are predominantly but not exclusively from media, entertainment and communications sectors enabling us to provide strategic advice from a position of strength.

What the Directories Say About Us

"Praised for its 'excellent knowledge and industry understanding'" The Legal 500, 2009
"Harbottle & Lewis LLP maintains an excellent reputation for advising TMT companies..." The Legal 500, 2008

Contact

For further information please contact Tony Littner.