This one-day course gives venture capital professionals a clear, commercial understanding of the key legal agreements used in VC transactions. Through practical examples and industry practitioner-led discussion, participants will explore how term sheets, investment agreements, and articles of association reflect the commercial priorities of both investors and founders. The focus is on deal dynamics rather than legal fine print, making it ideal for those looking to engage more confidently in VC deal execution.
Audience
GP Firms: This course is designed for professionals focused on Venture Capital.
Individuals: Ideal for VC professionals seeking a practical grasp of the legal, commercial and documentation aspects of venture capital deals.
Please see the Legal Agreements in PE programme for a private equity lens.
Key topics include
- Terms, investment agreement and articles
- Loan agreements
- Due diligence
- Warranties and indemnities
- Tax and management incentives
- How to get the most out of your lawyer and more
What will delegates take away?
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Commercial Insight into VC Documentation
Gain a clear understanding of how legal agreements reflect the commercial priorities of venture capital investors and founders. -
Practical Application
Apply knowledge through real-world examples and interactive discussion, improving your ability to contribute meaningfully to deal structuring and execution. -
Enhanced Collaboration with Legal Advisors
Develop the ability to engage more effectively with legal counsel by understanding the rationale behind key clauses and structures.
Benefits to employers
- Stronger Deal Execution Capability
Delegates return with sharper commercial awareness, enabling them to support deal teams more effectively and reduce reliance on external advisors for basic documentation queries. - Improved Internal Communication
Teams benefit from a shared language and understanding around VC documentation, improving collaboration between investment professionals and legal/compliance teams. - Risk Awareness & Mitigation
Delegates are better equipped to spot potential commercial risks in documentation early, contributing to more robust deal outcomes.
FAQs about this course
What should I expect on the day?
Please arrive with plenty of time to register. Breakfast will be provided along with lunch and refreshments, with a drinks reception at the end of the day. The course will kick off with introductions followed by content from multiple speakers as per the agenda.
What’s the dress code?
Smart casual.
What should I bring with me?
You may wish to bring something to work on/ to take notes, such as a laptop or iPad (we will provide note pads and pens).
Will materials be shared with delegates?
Yes, all materials, including slides and case studies, will be shared with delegates.
Format
In-person, London
Course Director
The course is led by Alex Cochand. Learn more about him below.
Alex Cochand
Alex Cochand is a Director at SEI Ventures. He was previously a Partner at Q Ventures, heading the investment team. He managed the origination and investment process. He has worked in the venture space for over 9 years and in that time, he has completed over twenty-five transactions. He has a broad range of experience from corporate finance through to launching a CVC and working within tax efficient funds.
Guest speakers
The course features guest speakers with a wealth of expertise and experience from across the private capital industry. Click a speaker below to learn more about them. Please note, guest speakers may vary depending on the course schedule.
Charles Baker
Charles advises emerging technology companies and their investors on venture capital transactions throughout the business life cycle. He enjoys complex cap table modelling and has extensive experience structuring and leading equity financing rounds from term sheet to close.
Earlier in his career, Charles spent time as in-house counsel at a prominent UK fintech company.
Elinor Picton
Elinor specialises in venture capital, supporting high-growth companies in the technology sector. She advises on every stage of the life-cycle, from early-stage funding, through growth capital, international expansion, and to M&A. Elinor also advises institutional, corporate and family office investors on their investments into fast-growth companies.
Recent experience includes advising Vinted on its €340m secondary sale led by TPG, Maze on its $31m series A investment led by Theory Ventures and a syndicate of investors on the $140m series A investment into Draig Therapeutics.
Ellen Dewhurst
Ellen is an associate in the emerging companies and venture capital team in London. She specializes in advising early stage life sciences and technology companies and their investors in all stages of the company's life cycle, including equity financings (from seed round through to exit), as well as more general corporate matters and corporate governance.
Ellen also has experience in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and corporate re-organisations. Before joining Cooley, Ellen was an associate in the corporate team at Hogan Lovells in London. Ellen studied Human Genetics at UCL, where she completed a masters, and honed her passion and enthusiasm for developments in the field of life sciences.
Fleur Benns
Fleur Benns is a Partner in the London office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she is a member of the firm’s employee benefits and compensation practice. Fleur has over 20 years of experience specializing in employee incentives and benefits, with a particular focus on the technology and life sciences sectors.
She counsels on cross-border transactions and has extensive experience in advising on incentive arrangements in the context of both acquisitions and investments in the UK.
Howard Palmer
Howard is recognised as one of the UK's leading advisers on venture capital investments, especially on deals in the cleantech and fintech sectors. He specialises in advising on both M&A and venture capital investments, working for both companies and investors. Clients say they value his meticulous and highly practical advice.
Recent experience includes advising GeoPura on its £56m investment round, Zeelo on its $23m series B investment led by Blue Earth Capital and Dawn Capital on multiple investments, including a €45m series B investment into Blackwall and a $35m series B investment into inforcer.
Jon Gill
Jon is a Partner in Eversheds Sutherland's Corporate team specialising in venture capital, private equity and M&A transactions in the TMT sector. Jon advises high growth companies and entrepreneurs on equity fundraisings across the full lifecycle, from seed to Series A, through to later stage growth rounds and exit. He also advises venture capital funds and private equity investors on platform investments, bolt-on acquisitions and the realisation of value on exit.
Jon’s recent transactions include acting for Silvertree Equity Partners on their buy-out of Orbus Software, acting for the shareholders of UCL spin-out Senceive on their sale to Eddyfi Inc, and acting for Huboo Technologies on their £14m Series A raise.
Nick Crabtree
Nick Crabtree is a Partner in the Corporate and Venture Capital Groups. Nick specialises in venture capital. He advises on a full range of corporate transactions involving early-stage and venture-backed companies, including investments, acquisitions, joint ventures and commercial transactions, and exits.
Nick’s practice centres around technology-focussed fast-growth companies, spanning a variety of sectors. Nick advises companies, founders, and institutional and individual investors, through the company lifecycle from inception, funding and growth to exit. He has particular expertise in venture-backed M&A transactions.
CPD accreditation
This course is CPD accredited by the CPD Certification Service for 6 hours. By attending this course, you will receive a digital certificate from Diplomasafe. This certificate allows you to share and save your new CPD accredited qualification on LinkedIn, adding instantly verifiable credentials and strengthening your professional profile.
