SSM is a women-owned boutique law firm with attorneys in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Seattle. We represent micro-venture capital funds, technology companies, and industry-adjacent service providers who are forming and scaling their companies, fundraising/deploying venture capital, selling to, merging with and/or acquiring other businesses. Additionally, we assist our clients in managing relationships with their former companies, employees, partners, investors, service providers, or customers. We are a completely virtual law firm and rely on innovative legal technology to provide a high-touch service.
Lindsey S. Mignano will present the the "Flips & Financing" session for the Smart Innovation Norway cohort in Palo Alto. This session will target Nordic entrepreneurs interested in either accessing the American market or raising capital within the United States, detailing specific incorporation strategies like setting up a subsidiary or performing a Delaware flip. The conversation will also explore various stages of a company's funding lifecycle, outlining practical steps for entities at different stages, from self-funding to securing venture capital.
September 5, 2024 - 5:00 - 7:30 pm PST - Venture Capital Financing: What You Should Know About Deal Terms Today for the Santa Clara County Bar Association Join us for a hosted happy hour and panel discussion on how technology companies structure venture capital investments from early to late stages, from note investments to term sheets/investment agreements in priced rounds. Panelists will also discuss how the current macroeconomic climate may affect the terms.
September 10, 2024 - 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PST - When Women Own Firms: How to Lead, Originate, and Develop Business as a Woman for the Santa Cruz Bar Association
What happens when women own their own law firms? How does this change the way they lead, mentor, and market their services? Join us for a discussion regarding race, gender, and intersecting social hierarchies as these powerful women law firm owners discuss how they've got to where they are today. Subtopics for discussion include:
How do women, those who identify as female, and women of color build a law practice and how might gender and/or race, for example, come into play?
The responsibility of female law firm founders to mentor and sponsor more junior attorneys.
How to build and manage relationships with clients, referral sources, and other third parties external to the firm in light of existing gender and racial biases in larger society.
September 13, 2024 - 10:00 am - 11:00 am PST - Delaware Flips & Financing for SwissNex San Francisco
Lindsey S. Mignano will present the the "Flips & Financing" session for the SwissNex cohort in San Francisco. This session will target Swiss entrepreneurs interested in either accessing the American market or raising capital within the United States, detailing specific incorporation strategies like setting up a subsidiary or performing a Delaware flip. The conversation will also explore various stages of a company's funding lifecycle, outlining practical steps for entities at different stages, from self-funding to securing venture capital.
September 26, 2024 - 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm PST - Truth and Power: Responsible Artificial Intelligence for the Bar Association of San Francisco
Artificial intelligence technologies are advancing rapidly, raising critical legal and ethical questions. As AI systems become smarter and more autonomous, we must ensure they are developed responsibly and aligned with our laws and values. This event will explore the role of the law in governing AI. Legal experts will discuss issues such as:
Ensuring AI systems respect privacy laws and civil liberties;
Preventing bias, discrimination, and unfair treatment by AI;
Establishing accountability when AI systems cause harm or make mistakes; and
Creating regulations and governance frameworks for responsible AI innovation.
September 27, 2024 - 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm PST - Women and Work:Defining Purpose, Flow, and Sustainability in Our Professional Lives for the Stanford Alumni Association's Women's Impact Network Annual Meeting
Lindsey S. Mignano will moderate “Women Entering the Workforce: How to Navigate the Post-College World & Get the Roles You Want.” Panelists will discuss the challenges and opportunities women face when they enter the workforce, and what happens to their lives over time as they navigate both personal and professional milestones.
Moderator and Speakers include:
Renessa Boley Layne, Founder of Creating Your Perfect Work
October 2, 2024 - 12 - 1 pm PST - Venture Capital Financing and Alternative Forms of Financing for Daybreak Labs
Lindsey S. Mignano will present on venture capital and alternative forms of financing for the cohort of Daybreak Labs in Livermore. She will discuss the current state of the venture economy for early stage startups, note versus priced rounds, and alternatives to venture financing such as grants, revenue-based financing, venture debt (after venture financing), etc.
October 8, 2024 - 6:30 - 8:30 pm PST - EmpowerHer: Navigating Legal Pathways and Entrepreneurial Success in National Women's Small Business Month for the Junior League of San Francisco
In honor of National Women's Small Business Month, Lindsey S. Mignano will present for the Junior League of San Francisco during October's Professional Women's Monthly Meetup. From LLCs to C Corporations, Lindsey will discuss the key considerations for entrepreneurs, including financing, taxation and QSBS concerns, liability, and corporate formalities.
October 9, 2024 - 12:00 - 1:30 pm PST - The State of Venture Capital: What Startups Need to Know for a Successful Raise for San Francisco Tech Week
Venture capital firms are more selective and demanding when it comes to financing these days, especially with regard to first financings by early stage startups. Join us for an informative panel where we’ll be discussing questions and topics such as:
When does it make sense to start approaching venture capital firms for investment?
What does it take for a startup to raise its first priced round these days?
What are early, growth, and late stage VCs investing in today?
What kind of business and financial metrics should a founder have in place before approaching venture firms for a priced round raise, whether Series Seed or Series A/B/C?
What do venture capitalists predict about the venture market for the remainder of 2024?
October 15, 2024 - 12:00- 1:00 pm PST - How to Raise Seed a Round for Los Angeles Tech Week
Since 2021, startups have struggled to procure venture capital while doing more with less. Venture firms have invested larger amounts but only in well-positioned companies. As more and more startups return to the market in 2024, what do they need to do and show in order to successfully raise their next round? Hear from our experienced panelists about the current venture ecosystem, what they are looking to invest in today, and how startups can best position themselves for a successful raise. Moderator and Speakers include:
October 21, 2024 - 3:30 - 4:30 pm PST - Flipping for Financing: Corporate Reorganizations for Venture in the United States
How do foreign companies establish their US operations? For many who just seek to expand their product and service offerings, it can be as simple as setting up a wholly-owned subsidiary. For others who are on the eve of an American venture financing event, it can be much more complex. Join Lindsey S. Mignano, cofounder of SSM, as she discusses how to set up a subsidiary or flip your company for venture finance opportunities in the United States. She will also discuss the current state of the venture market for early stage startups alongside select venture capital friends who invest in foreign-founded companies.
Moderator and Panelists Include:
Zamir Shukho, Vibranium.VC
Manan Mehta ( or .Samala), Unshackled Ventures
Helen Park, 500.Global
Lindsey S. Mignano, SSM (Moderator)
October 24, 2024 - 1:35 - 2:40 pm PST - Venture Capital 2024: Fund Formation, Fundraising, and Investing from Women in VC
In H2 2024, emerging managers of venture capital (“VC”) firms and startups alike have had a hard time raising capital. VCs are competing against the market and others for LP dollars, and startups are finding them to be even more selective and demanding when it comes to deployment of capital. Join us for an informative panel where we’ll ask female lawyers in fund formation and EC/VC as well as female VCs topics such as:
How do VCs form their funds and managing entities?
What are the average metrics such as minimum level of investments by LPS who are individuals versus entities, management fees, carry, and IRR, that we are seeing today across a variety of funds?
What metrics do VCs use to determine which startups to invest in?
How do VCs structure startup investment, whether through note or priced rounds?
What are the predictions for the venture market in 2025?
Moderator and Panelists Include:
Betty Ma, Open Core Ventures
Hope Newsome, Meris Law
Danielle D'Agostaro, WVV Capital
Megan Greer, Carta
Lindsey Mignano, SSM
Calina Thompson, Flagstar Bank (Moderator)
October 30, 2024 - 5:00 - 7:45 pm PST - What VCs Want: How to Raise Capital in 2024 for BridgeBank
Venture capital firms are more selective and demanding when it comes to financing these days, especially with regard to first financings by early stage startups. Join us for an informative panel where we’ll be discussing questions and topics such as:
When does it make sense to start approaching venture capital firms for investment?
What does it take for a startup to raise its first priced round these days?
What are early stage VCs investing in today?
What kind of business and financial metrics should a founder have in place before approaching venture firms for a priced round raise, whether Series Seed or Series A/B?
What do venturecapitalists predict about the venture market for the remainder of 2024?
How to extend your financial runway after a venture raise? Why do companies raise venture debt after a venture round?
November 12, 2024 - 12:00 - 1:30 pm PST - AI Adoption and Regulation: Equipping Lawyers to Guide Their Clients for the Santa Clara County Bar Association
Join us for a practical guide focused on division clients about the responsible and lawful use of deployment of artificial intelligence in business. This panel featuring in-house counsel from leading AI companies, will equip general practitioners with the knowledge to properly advise clients as they implement AI into their business, and to navigate the fast- evolving legal landscape surrounding AI implementation. We'll explore recent regulatory developments, potential legal risks, ethical considerations and best practices for integrating AI systems into various business activities. Key topics to be discussed include:
Overview of AI technologies and their business applications;
Recent and upcoming AI regulations: federal, state, and industry specific;
Practical considerations for AI implementation, including intellectual property, data privacy, and ethical concerns; and.
Hypothetical case studies and best practices for advising clients on AI adoption and compliance with audience participation.
February 24, 2025 - 3:30 - 4:30 pm PST - Flipping for Financing: Corporate Reorganizations for Venture in the United States for Nordic Innovation House
How do foreign companies establish their US operations? For many who just seek to expand their product and service offerings, it can be as simple as setting up a wholly-owned subsidiary. For others who are on the eve of an American venture financing event, it can be much more complex. Join Lindsey S. Mignano, cofounder of SSM, as she discusses how to set up a subsidiary or flip your company for venture finance opportunities in the United States. She will also discuss the current state of the venture market for early stage startups alongside select venture capital friends who invest in foreign-founded companies.