Copylawyer Blog

Published // Brainnovations 2

In this update published on LinkedIn Pulse and titled “Brainnovations 2nd Cycle is Accepting Applications”, Einat Katzenell of Katzenell Dimant encourages braintech entrepreneurs to submit applications to participate in Brainnovations – IBT’s launchpad program supporting early stage startups.

I had the pleasure of working with Einat and providing Editorial Services for this piece.

Einat Katzenell is the Founding Partner of Katzenell Dimant and provides strategic and practical legal advice to hi-tech, life sciences and biotechnology entrepreneurs, investors, early stage and mature companies, academic institutions and business initiatives.

From the update: “Brainnovations 2nd Cycle is Accepting Applications“:

“As you may know our firm has been a strategic partner of Israel Brain Technologies (IBT) since its inception back in 2011, and we are proud of our ongoing contribution to IBT’s monumental effort to promote advances in neurotechnology.

This month will see the culmination of IBT’s activities, as Brainnovations – IBT’s launchpad program, enters its final phase and the talented participants prepare for presenting their accomplishments before angels, VC’s, life science multinationals, incubators and other investors at the upcoming demo day.”

Link to the full update.

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Published // Investment Incentives

In this long-form post published on LinkedIn Pulse and titled “2 Major Benefits for Seed and Pre-seed Investments in Israeli Companies”, Einat Katzenell of Katzenell Dimant explains why Israeli companies qualifying as early stage companies under the amended Angels Law should consider applying for grants under the “early stage companies” Program 8.23 of the OCS.

I had the pleasure of working with Einat and providing Editorial Services for this piece.

From the post: “2 Major Benefits for Seed and Pre-seed Investments in Israeli Companies“:

“When presenting your startup to potential investors, there are two advantages available under Israeli law that you might want to emphasize, which could make investing in your startup much more attractive, particularly at the seed and pre-seed stages.

The first advantage is the tax benefits under the “Angels Law”, and the second is the $1:$1 grant under the “early stage companies” OCS program.

The “Angels Law” in its original form failed to achieve its goals, as only a few companies and angel investors capitalized on the benefits offered by the Angels Law. This law was recently amended to extend the applicability of the tax benefits, and as of January 2016 also applies to investments in “early stage” companies. The amended Angels Law also solves issues of uncertainty for the investors in terms of qualifying for the tax benefits that was determined only 3 years after the investment took place.”

Link to the full post.

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Published // Brainnovations

In this long-form post published on LinkedIn Pulse and titled “Accelerating Braintech Innovation”, Einat Katzenell of Katzenell Dimant shares insights from her work with Israel Brain Technologies and its launchpad program – Brainnovations, and explains why braintech doesn’t fit the common rubric.

I had the pleasure of working with Einat and providing Editorial Services for this piece.

From the post: “Accelerating Braintech Innovation“:

“While other areas of high technology categorically take a B2B or B2C approach to marketing, Braintech doesn’t quite fit the common rubric. Consider the identity of your customers (the who) and the means by which they’re going to pay for your product (the how) – it’s plain to see that neurotechnology is in a class of its own.

Resolving the who and how issues at the very early stages of development is critical, because even though achieving scientific validation is fantastic – proving something works doesn’t in and of itself mean that it can be commercialized.

Imaging, cranial stimulation, implant technologies, cranial surface measurements, cell therapy and brain chemistry pharmaceuticals are some of the current technologies available on the market, and for the most part are used in medical institutions, specialized clinics, universities and research centers, and ultimately paid for by the insurance companies.”

Link to the full post.

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Published // Cybersecurity Labor Shortage

In this long-form post published on LinkedIn Pulse and titled “Cybersecurity Execs Losing Sleep Over Labor Shortage”, Einat Katzenell of Katzenell Dimant describes one of the biggest challenges cybersecurity startups are facing.

I had the pleasure of working with Einat and providing Editorial Services for this piece.

From the post: “Cybersecurity Execs Losing Sleep Over Labor Shortage“:

“Like any other branch of the hi-tech industry, cybersecurity startups must show a viable business model and a market for their products in order to raise capital. But while cybersecurity entrepreneurs might have it relatively easy convincing Angels and VCs of their business opportunity, viability, and immediate need and market size, they’re having the hardest time finding qualified employees to take their ideas forward.

The cybersecurity market is big. How big? That depends on which reports you’ve been reading. I’ve seen industry PR (like this one) suggesting a current market of $100 billion, with projection upwards of $170 billion by 2020. Whether or not you believe these figures (and one should always be cautious when citing sponsored research) it’s not unreasonable to argue the market for cybersecurity solutions is not going to shrink anytime soon.”

Link to the full post.

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Published // Option Grant Mistakes

In this long-form post published on LinkedIn Pulse and titled “10% of the Company, or My Favorite Option Grant Mistake”, Ran Dimant of Katzenell Dimant describes some typical mistakes in granting Employee Stock Options (ESOs) and shares his personal favorite.

I had the pleasure of working with Ran and providing Editorial Services for this piece.

Ran Dimant is a Founding Partner of Katzenell Dimant and provides strategic and practical legal advice to public and private companies, equity crowdfunding platforms, startups, founders, investors and various business initiatives.

From the post: “10% of the Company, or My Favorite Option Grant Mistake“:

“Many mistakes can be made when granting employee stock options (ESOs), but while most will cause damage measured in dollars and cents, there is one major mistake that, in addition to having financial consequences – can hinder the company’s ability to manage its equity, and that, my friends, is dramatic.

The Nature of ESOs

We all know ESOs are the preferred incentive of fast-growing companies, elegantly linking remuneration to success without burdening cash-flow. From a legal aspect, it’s important to understand that ESOs are “compensation contracts” between an employer and an employee, and the rights and obligations of the parties are on the contractual level.

It is this nature that makes most ESO grant mistakes relatively simple to resolve, at least from a legal standpoint.”

Link to the full post.

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