The Silicon Beach Conference focuses on a major theme of interest to entrepreneurs, investors and the lawyers who represent them. This year the conference will consider “exits” – by addressing the questions of whether, when and how entrepreneurs and their investors should structure a transaction that allows investors to cash out of their investments in whole or in part, such as going public, a sale of the venture or an alternative structure that potentially generates cash for investors.
This conference will include a panel of entrepreneurs and investors serving as a mock board of directors of a hypothetical company. These directors have decided to explore potential transactions and have invited lawyers and financial advisors to make presentations about various alternatives. The first session will include lawyers and financial advisors making presentations to the “board” (and the audience) on IPOs and Direct Listings (such as the recent Slack transaction). A second set of presenters will then meet with the “board” and discuss M&A, joint ventures and licensing agreements as alternative transactions for the board to consider. Finally, the “board” will spend time discussing the various presentations and the broad questions of whether the venture should remain independent or engage in one of the transactions.
Fenwick partner Joshua Geffon will be speaking on a panel titled "M&A and Other Structures" from 10:45am to noon.