Dickinson Wright helps founders, investors, and growing companies navigate every stage of the business lifecycle—from formation to funding, operations, and exit. We combine legal guidance with practical business insight to support your company’s growth.
Starting Your Company
Launching a company begins with a solid foundation. We guide entrepreneurs through the steps needed to structure a business for long-term growth.
Services include:
- Pre-formation planning, entity selection, and company formation
- Founder equity, vesting structures, and cap table planning
- Corporate governance and ownership structuring
- Equity compensation (ISOs, NQSOs, RSUs, profit interests)
- Hiring, retention, and early team compensation planning
- Joint ventures, strategic alliances, and outsourcing arrangements
Raising Capital & Financing
We help companies raise funds efficiently at every stage, from seed rounds to late-stage financing.
Our services include:
- Friends & family, angel, pre-seed, seed, and priced preferred rounds
- SAFEs, convertible notes, venture debt, and bridge financings
- Crowdfunding and alternative funding structures
- Accelerator, incubator, and venture studio arrangements
- M&A, spin-offs, divestitures, and venture-backed exits
Venture Capital & Investor Support
We represent venture funds, corporate venture arms, institutional investors, and family offices throughout the investment lifecycle. We help clients understand deal terms, market standards, and potential outcomes.
We focus on:
- Reviewing and negotiating financing documents to protect economic, governance, and information rights
- Anticipating future financing rounds and exit scenarios
- Identifying provisions affecting dilution, control, and portfolio value
Commercial Agreements & Partnerships
Clear contracts keep business operations moving. We draft and negotiate agreements that support sales, partnerships, and product development.
We assist with:
- SaaS, software licensing, and technology agreements
- Product development and strategic partnership contracts
- AI/LLM development, training, and licensing agreements
- Terms of service, privacy policies, and data processing agreements
- Manufacturing, distribution, and service agreements
Business Support & Resources
Beyond legal guidance, we connect clients to investors, networks, and additional expertise across the firm.
We provide:
- Access to venture capital firms, angel investors, corporate venture arms, and family offices
- Pitch deck development and investor meeting preparation
- Counsel from Employment, Intellectual Property, Tax, Immigration, Litigation, Real Estate, Bankruptcy, Corporate Governance, Securities, Data Privacy & Cybersecurity, and Technology Transactions practice groups
