Equity compensation can be an opaque and awkward topic for first-time academic founders. Join us for a webinar that is an in-depth look at venture capital perspectives on the economics of university startup formation, particularly founders’ equity. OUP will review an analysis of the equity structures of over 90 startups combined with our collective insights…
Software-based technologies present challenges to the most experienced university technology managers when it comes to licensing. These technologies are often not patentable, released under an open source license, or the software is frequently rewritten – making the original code less valuable. Therefore, faculty frequently don’t disclose software, and companies commonly avoid licensing software IP from the universities.
A discussion on the differences in licensing to startups based out of Israel, China, and the UK by experts who have worked in these regions. David Ai, formerly of City University in Hong Kong, Amir Naiberg, formerly of Yeda Research and Development Co, in Israel, and Teri Willey, formerly of Cambridge Enterprise, will talk about particular variances in license clauses and startup structures that US tech transfer offices may encounter when licensing to entities incorporated in these countries.
Hardware is hard. Large capital requirements, long development timelines, and fickle customers are classic critiques that VCs focus on when evaluating a hardware startup. Yet substantial investments in quantum computing, semiconductors, and additive manufacturing prove that an industry-changing vision with cutting edge technology can overcome investor hesitations about the sector. And while the numbers show that investment dollars into software outpace hardware, the reality is the two keywords no longer separate the industry as many hardware entrepreneurs and investors have learned the benefits of software-enabled “things.” Is the market returning to hardware bets? What do investors want to see in 2018? What are avoidable pitfalls of pitching a hardware story?