Alston & Bird Attorneys to Address the Relationship Between University Spin-Offs, Intellectual Property Issues and Accessing Venture Capital
Recognizing that venture capital firms, with assets over $40 billion, have emerged as one of the primary sources of financing for technology based economic development, the non-profit Association of University Related Research Parks (AURRP) is presenting a conference on “Venture Capital & Technology Business Development.”
Paul F. Pedigo, an attorney in the international law firm Alston & Bird LLP, will participate in the conference. Alston & Bird is also one of the conference sponsors; the two-day event will be held on January 28 & 29, 1999 at the Marriott University Park in Tucson, Arizona. The conference will focus on the role of venture capital in facilitating the development and growth of community and university based research parks and technology incubators. The Association of University Related Research Parks (AURRP), is a national not-for-profit organization which promotes technology-led economic development by bridging the academic, technology and public sectors. In addition, the AURRP is the only association specifically addressing the concerns of research parks and technology incubators. Paul F. Pedigo, partner in Alston & Bird’s Intellectual Property-Patent Solicitation Practice Group, will discuss how university spin-offs and start-up companies can position themselves to attract venture capital investment, as well as the critical issues in negotiating and structuring venture capital transactions. Their presentation will link the intellectual property and financing issues, including: * Intellectual Property and Patent Issues in University –Based Technology Transfer and Commercialization Programs; * Intellectual Property Concerns in Accessing Funding; * Positioning New Projects and Developments to Attract Private Investment; * Understanding the Criteria Used to Evaluate Prospective Deals; * Key Elements in Negotiating and Structuring Venture Capital Agreements. Mr. Pedigo, based in the Firm’s Charlotte, NC office, concentrates in the areas of chemical, pharmaceutical, and mechanical patent solicitation, infringement and validity opinions, technology licensing and counseling. He has provided counsel for a number of emerging technology-based companies on using their intellectual property to finance growth, including through venture capital and private placements. Co-sponsored by the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park, the conference also features a presentation by Peter Likens, the President of the University of Arizona. Other speakers include venture capitalists, research park and incubator managers, economic developers, technology transfer professionals and technology firms, who will provide invaluable insight into the most important issues: * Understanding Venture Capital and its Availability in Various Stages of Funding; * “Angel Networks”: Establishing Successful Relationships with Private Investors; * “Return on Investment” Incubators – Taking a Stake in Your Tenants; * Capital Formation and Technology Investments from State and Regional Programs; * Government Financing Programs & Resources for Research & Development; * University Spin-Offs and Venture Capital. Alston & Bird's IP practice, with more than 100 intellectual property and technology attorneys, is one of the top five nationwide and is the largest in the Southeast. The Firm's Intellectual Property Practice Group has 78 attorneys involved in intellectual property, 50 of whom are registered before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The Firm has more patent capacity than any general practice firm in the eastern U.S. and ranks in the top echelon among all general practice firms in the nation. In addition to the traditional areas of mechanical and chemical engineering, chemistry, electronics and biotechnology, the attorneys have diverse backgrounds in emerging technologies including genetic engineering, immunology, microelectronics and computer technology. Alston & Bird has been helping businesses in the Southeast protect their ideas for over 75 years. Last year alone they filed over 1,000 patent applications in more than 30 countries worldwide. Alston & Bird’s Transactional Practice Group offers extensive experience in securities and finance matters. The Group’s substantial experience in corporate finance, securities law, real estate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and high tech and emerging growth issues, creates a natural synergy with Alston & Bird’s expanding intellectual property and technology practices and their clients. The Firm’s intellectual property, technology, and capital markets practices serve the needs of emerging growth companies in all areas of technology and in all stages of financing. Alston & Bird with more than 450 attorneys serving both domestic and international clients, is one of the largest and oldest law firms in the country. With offices in Atlanta, Georgia, Washington, D.C., and Charlotte and the Research Triangle in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Firm provides a full range of services to clients doing business throughout the U.S. and overseas. In addition to intellectual property and technology, Alston & Bird's practice areas include: capital markets and investments; finance and public finance; financial institutions; international; trial and appellate; health care; real estate; environmental; antitrust and investigations; bankruptcy, reorganizations and workouts; tax and fiduciary; and labor and employment.
Paul F. Pedigo, an attorney in the international law firm Alston & Bird LLP, will participate in the conference. Alston & Bird is also one of the conference sponsors; the two-day event will be held on January 28 & 29, 1999 at the Marriott University Park in Tucson, Arizona. The conference will focus on the role of venture capital in facilitating the development and growth of community and university based research parks and technology incubators. The Association of University Related Research Parks (AURRP), is a national not-for-profit organization which promotes technology-led economic development by bridging the academic, technology and public sectors. In addition, the AURRP is the only association specifically addressing the concerns of research parks and technology incubators. Paul F. Pedigo, partner in Alston & Bird’s Intellectual Property-Patent Solicitation Practice Group, will discuss how university spin-offs and start-up companies can position themselves to attract venture capital investment, as well as the critical issues in negotiating and structuring venture capital transactions. Their presentation will link the intellectual property and financing issues, including: * Intellectual Property and Patent Issues in University –Based Technology Transfer and Commercialization Programs; * Intellectual Property Concerns in Accessing Funding; * Positioning New Projects and Developments to Attract Private Investment; * Understanding the Criteria Used to Evaluate Prospective Deals; * Key Elements in Negotiating and Structuring Venture Capital Agreements. Mr. Pedigo, based in the Firm’s Charlotte, NC office, concentrates in the areas of chemical, pharmaceutical, and mechanical patent solicitation, infringement and validity opinions, technology licensing and counseling. He has provided counsel for a number of emerging technology-based companies on using their intellectual property to finance growth, including through venture capital and private placements. Co-sponsored by the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park, the conference also features a presentation by Peter Likens, the President of the University of Arizona. Other speakers include venture capitalists, research park and incubator managers, economic developers, technology transfer professionals and technology firms, who will provide invaluable insight into the most important issues: * Understanding Venture Capital and its Availability in Various Stages of Funding; * “Angel Networks”: Establishing Successful Relationships with Private Investors; * “Return on Investment” Incubators – Taking a Stake in Your Tenants; * Capital Formation and Technology Investments from State and Regional Programs; * Government Financing Programs & Resources for Research & Development; * University Spin-Offs and Venture Capital. Alston & Bird's IP practice, with more than 100 intellectual property and technology attorneys, is one of the top five nationwide and is the largest in the Southeast. The Firm's Intellectual Property Practice Group has 78 attorneys involved in intellectual property, 50 of whom are registered before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The Firm has more patent capacity than any general practice firm in the eastern U.S. and ranks in the top echelon among all general practice firms in the nation. In addition to the traditional areas of mechanical and chemical engineering, chemistry, electronics and biotechnology, the attorneys have diverse backgrounds in emerging technologies including genetic engineering, immunology, microelectronics and computer technology. Alston & Bird has been helping businesses in the Southeast protect their ideas for over 75 years. Last year alone they filed over 1,000 patent applications in more than 30 countries worldwide. Alston & Bird’s Transactional Practice Group offers extensive experience in securities and finance matters. The Group’s substantial experience in corporate finance, securities law, real estate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and high tech and emerging growth issues, creates a natural synergy with Alston & Bird’s expanding intellectual property and technology practices and their clients. The Firm’s intellectual property, technology, and capital markets practices serve the needs of emerging growth companies in all areas of technology and in all stages of financing. Alston & Bird with more than 450 attorneys serving both domestic and international clients, is one of the largest and oldest law firms in the country. With offices in Atlanta, Georgia, Washington, D.C., and Charlotte and the Research Triangle in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Firm provides a full range of services to clients doing business throughout the U.S. and overseas. In addition to intellectual property and technology, Alston & Bird's practice areas include: capital markets and investments; finance and public finance; financial institutions; international; trial and appellate; health care; real estate; environmental; antitrust and investigations; bankruptcy, reorganizations and workouts; tax and fiduciary; and labor and employment.