Understanding venture funding in cleantech

This Forum presentation will explain how the venture funding process works and key terms in venture funding transactions. It will also address issues which are particular to cleantech such as licenses from universities and national laboratories and government grants. The attendees will receive an annotated venture capital term sheet.

Presenter(s)

Mark Radcliffe is a partner and the former co-chair of the Technology and Sourcing Group of DLA Piper USA, LLP. He earned a B.S. in Chemistry magna cum laude from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Mr. Radcliffe's practice focuses on representing corporations in their intellectual property and finance matters. He has worked on hundreds of venture financings in his career for both investors and companies. He also advises companies on their intellectual property strategies. He has worked with cleantech companies and is Chair of the Solar Industry Group at the firm. His background in chemistry has proved to be particularly valuable in assisting cleantech companies. He and his group represent over forty startups in various industries.

In 1997, the National Law Journal named him one of the 100 Most Influential Lawyers in the United States. In 2004, he was named one of Northern California's Top 100 intellectual property Super Lawyers. He has been listed in the "The Best Lawyers in America," since 2005. The respected English publishers Chambers and Partners names him in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, describing him as "outstanding." In 1998, Harvard Law School designated him a "Distinguished Alumni". He has been quoted on intellectual property matters in Time Magazine, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Examiner, San Jose Mercury News and Daily Variety. Mr. Radcliffe has published articles in such legal magazines as the National Law Journal, Trademark World, Computer Lawyer, California Law Business and Copyright World.