Strictly Business
A legal blog on private funds, startups, and venture capital.
Strictly Business
A legal blog on private funds, startups, and venture capital.
Alexander J. Davie
Alexander Davie is a corporate and securities attorney based in Nashville, Tennessee. Businesses of many varieties rely on his counsel and judgment throughout all stages of their growth. In particular, fund managers and investment management professionals seek the expertise Alex gained when he served as general counsel to a private investment fund. Alex also has significant experience and enjoys working with companies and entrepreneurial ventures, especially within the technology industry. As a believer in technology's ability to enrich people's lives and allowing people to connect with each other in new ways, he is passionate about helping tech startups achieve success. He is active in Nashville's startup community as a mentor at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center and participates in numerous other events geared towards making Nashville a nationally ranked location for starting a business.
The Legal Pitfalls of Rewards-Based Crowdfunding Campaigns
Rewards-based crowdfunding sites, such as Kickstarter and IndieGoGo, have become a common way to fund new ventures. This post describes the common legal pitfalls and the steps to take to alleviate those pitfalls.
Using Side Letters in Private Funds
At some point, while raising capital for a private fund, you will likely be asked by one or more potential investors to enter into a side letter. Here are some practical pointers on the top issues you'll encounter.
What Do Startups Need to Know About Data Privacy Law?
Startups that understand their obligations under privacy laws can reduce the likelihood of liability and ultimately compete more effectively by earning a reputation for protecting their customers.
3(c)(1) Funds vs. 3(c)(7) Funds
3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) refer to two different exemptions from the requirements imposed on “investment companies” under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In this post, we explain what you need to know.
Can Initial Coin Offerings Be Regulated As Securities? The SEC Says Yes.
Recently, the SEC publicized an in-depth investigative report which determined that initial coin offerings are subject to securities regulation. This post provides an update on this rapidly-developing area.
Accredited Investors vs. Qualified Clients vs. Qualified Purchasers: Understanding Investor Qualifications
Accredited investors, qualified clients, and qualified purchasers are three categories of investor qualification that are important to private fund managers. This post provides an explanation of the differences between them.
New Options for Raising Capital for Startups and Growth Companies
In recent years, Congress, the SEC, and state regulators have enacted a number of alternative exemptions designed to make capital formation easier for growing businesses. In this post, I’ll provide an overview of these newer options.
The Life Cycle of a Private Equity or Venture Capital Fund
Private equity and venture capital funds usually are organized to have a limited life cycle, often in the range of 7 to 15 years. In this post, we describe what you need to know about the different stages of that life cycle.
Convertible Equity Options for Startups: SAFEs and KISSes
There are many investment structures available when it comes to raising startup capital. A popular option is convertible equity, such as SAFEs and KISSes. In this post, we explain what you need to know.