Webinar: Early-stage Investment Instruments in Startups – SAFEs and Convertible Notes

Navigating early-stage fundraising can feel complex, and understanding the tools investors use is a critical first step.

Join us for a webinar on the basics of SAFEs and convertible notes, where we break down two of the most common instruments used in early-stage financing. Designed specifically for entrepreneurs out of academic institutions, this session demystifies key concepts, highlights practical considerations, and helps you approach fundraising with greater confidence. We’re excited to feature Adam Sterling of Stanford University, who guides us through the fundamentals, alongside commentary from Manny Stockman of OUP, offering insights from the venture capital perspective.

Whether you’re preparing to raise your first round or simply want to better understand the language of these investment instruments, this session provides a clear, accessible foundation.

What you’ll learn:
• What are SAFEs and convertible notes, and the differences between them
• When and why each instrument is used
• Key terms founders should understand before signing
• Practical insights from both legal and investor perspectives

This webinar is geared to faculty founders, postdocs, grad students and other academic research-driven entrepreneurs looking to translate innovation into impact.