SEC Chair Paul S. Atkins’ recent remarks on Nov. 12, 2025 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia signal one of the most constructive regulatory developments the digital asset industry has seen in years. His “Project Crypto” framework reflects a meaningful shift toward clarity, predictability, and principled application of the federal securities laws. For innovators, […]
On September 30, 2025, SEC Commissioner Mark T. Uyeda issued an important update on the Commission’s ongoing efforts to implement the Treasury Clearing Rule, a major regulatory initiative aimed at enhancing the resilience and transparency of the U.S. Treasury market. The statement outlined recent progress, identified remaining open questions, and encouraged continued engagement from market […]
On September 2, 2025, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Division of Trading and Markets and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (“CFTC”) Divisions of Market Oversight and Clearing and Risk (together, the “Divisions”) issued a joint staff statement (the “Joint Statement”) as part of a new cross-agency initiative titled Project Crypto–Crypto Sprint.1 Project […]
As your business grows, your company may begin operating in states other than the original state of organization or incorporation, such as hiring employees in another state, signing contracts (and providing goods or services) with out-of-state clients, or opening a second location. What many business owners don’t realize is that crossing state lines in these […]
In 1994, Congress amended the U.S. Patent Laws to create a new type of patent filing called a provisional patent application, and with this came a good deal of confusion – even to this day.
Hi, I’m Laura Rippy. I am a Managing Partner at Alumni Ventures. I’m thrilled to be here. Tell Us About Your Journey I think of venture capitalists as one of two arcs, either they come in as a financial person who makes their way into investing in early stage companies, or they come in as […]
Introduction to Venture Capital Securing venture capital is a pivotal step for early-stage scaling companies aiming to expand. Venture capitalists (VCs) provide essential funding in exchange for equity stakes, enabling startups to accelerate their development and market reach. This guide outlines how to find venture capital, when to seek it, and effective strategies for attracting venture […]
Introduction to Angel Investors Securing funding is a pivotal step for early-stage scaling companies aiming to expand their operations. Angel investors can be a valuable source of funds, both at the ideation stage, and particularly for businesses that have already developed a product or service and are ready to take their growth to the next […]
The experimental use exception is a common law defense to patent infringement that was first articulated in Whittemore v. Cutter, 29 Fed. Cas. 1120 (C.C.D. Mass. 1813). In Whittemore, the court approved a jury instruction for determining patent infringement as requiring the alleged infringer to have intended to profit from the making or use of […]
I often have conversations about financing with passionate entrepreneurs. The advice I give is that before approaching financing sources, it’s critically important to make sure that the company’s “foundational puzzle pieces” are in place in order to increase the probability of fundraising success. Unless each of the four is in place, you’re likely to create a negative first impression.
Equity financing is a pivotal stage for startups seeking to scale operations and gain market traction. Understanding the terms that venture capital investor will request in connection with an equity investment, typically first encountered within a term sheet, is crucial for entrepreneurs to make informed decisions and protect their interests. The National Venture Capital Association […]
Tell Us About Your Journey I was born in Switzerland. At around 19 years old, I moved to United States for college in Ohio. That was my journey in the United States to start. I didn’t actually plan on staying, but then I got all these opportunities for a master’s degree, which I moved to […]
Tell Us About Your Journey My journey actually starts growing up in an immigrant family. Both my parents moved to the US from Germany to a country where they didn’t know anybody. They didn’t speak the language, and they had enough money for a plane ticket back if things didn’t work out. Fortunately, through a […]
Mirah
Limited liability companies have become an increasingly common form of business organization, primarily because of ease of management. They are also easy to form: most states do not even require a written operating agreement. Many entrepreneurs may find that they are just too busy to hash out an operating agreement – or are tempted to […]