With the startup financing ecosystem facing a severe disruption due to COVID-19, many companies are finding that the reduced pace of venture capital activity and the pressure on valuation and other deal terms is making venture debt an attractive alternative. Please join us for a webinar featuring a panel of specialists in the area of venture debt. Together they will address the following topics:

• What is venture debt, and how is it structured?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of venture debt, compared to venture capital?
• In what situations can venture debt be a good choice for a startup company?
• What is the process for lining up and closing a round of venture debt financing?

The session will include plenty of time for the panelists to answer attendee questions.

Panel Leader:

• Paul Ellis, Managing Partner, Paul Ellis Law Group LLC

Panelists:

• Chris DeMayo, Christopher M. DeMayo, CPA, MBA, Partner, Practice Leader: Technology and Emerging Growth Services, Withum
• Alicia Fuller, Senior Market Manager, Silicon Valley Bank
• Kevin Zeidan, Managing Director, Hercules Capital

About the panel:

Paul Ellis, Managing Partner, Paul Ellis Law Group

As Managing Partner of the 8-lawyer firm, Paul Ellis Law Group, Paul counsels on issues including formation, early-stage and venture financing, joint venture and strategic partnering relationships, employment, equity plans, mergers and acquisitions, and, together with his colleagues, protection and licensing of intellectual property. Beyond the internet/mobile/IT industries, he has practiced in industries including telecommunications, healthcare, manufacturing, banking, real estate, consumer products and entertainment. He has represented companies ranging from startups to multinationals, as well as funds and individual and institutional investors. Paul is a board member of NY Tech Alliance and organizes its events on legal issues for startup through midsize tech companies. He holds a BA from Harvard and a JD from Georgetown.

Christopher M. DeMayo, CPA, MBA, Partner, Practice Leader: Technology and Emerging Growth Services, Withum

Chris is a partner at Withum and serves as the firm’s Practice leader for the Technology and Emerging Growth Services Group. With over 15 years of experience, he has dedicated his time to servicing this industry and tech community and has had the privilege of working and building relationships with some of the most well-known and successful technology and emerging growth companies in the space. In addition to servicing his clients, his responsibilities include representing the firm in the marketplace, developing marketplace strategies, leading the growth and success of the firm’s technology and emerging growth practice. Read more about Chris at https://www.withum.com/our-people/christopher-m-demayo

Alicia Fuller, Senior Market Manager, Silicon Valley Bank

Alicia Fuller is a Senior Market Manager for Silicon Valley Bank leading the bank's technology practice in New York City. She is responsible for the leadership, client relationships and sales for enterprise software and consumer technology companies in the region. Alicia has nearly 13 years experience at SVB working with clients in various relationship management and debt product roles.

Prior to this role, Alicia was a Managing Director for Silicon Valley Bank in the Arlington, VA office where she oversaw the Bank’s efforts in partnering with emerging and growth companies in the innovation economy throughout Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC.

Alicia holds a BA in Finance from Virginia Tech. She is passionate about helping to support and promote female founders and works to create an equal playing field in the tech industry.

Kevin Zeidan, Managing Director, Hercules Capital

Kevin Zeidan has more than 22 years of experience in the innovation sector working with VCs, start-ups and public companies. Kevin has forged solid relationships with top-tier VC firms, banks, debt funds, and C-level executives because of his commitment to bring value and financial intelligence to the venture and technology communities.

Specialties: venture debt, senior/junior lien and payment terms, working capital, MRR lines of credit, no covenant growth capital loans, bridge loans, venture capital, relationship management, banking, and finance.

Kevin is currently a Managing Director at Hercules Capital where he is focused on originating, executing and managing new investment opportunities.