Robinson+Cole Sponsors ScaleUp CT Event

Robinson+Cole was a lead sponsor of the Connecticut Technology Council’s 2017 ScaleUp CT on November 2, 2017, in New Haven, Connecticut. The half-day event was designed to support emerging growth companies that excel in innovation and entrepreneurship. ScaleUp CT featured keynote speaker Steve Currie, vice president of Strategy at Communitech, one of the leading technology organizations in North America focusing on corporate innovation and scaling tech companies. The event also offered a series of panel discussions to help growing organizations scale up confidently and effectively. Among the many topics presented were how to market for growth, alternative financing to help companies grow, and how to create corporate connections. Robinson+Cole lawyer Jacqueline Pennino Scheib moderated the panel discussion "Planning for Growth." Ms. Scheib is on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Technology Council.

Robinson+Cole Participates in CVG's CT Tech Tour

Robinson+Cole lawyers Nathaniel T. Arden, Stephen E. Cooper, Eric M. Kogan, and Jacqueline Pennino Scheib were each actively involved in the week-long CT Tech Tour hosted by Crossroads Venture Group (CVG). The tour, which ran from October 16 to 19, 2017, featured a series of investor, entrepreneur, and business resource ecosystem programs at Upward Hartford, Fairfield University, Quinnipiac University, and CURE Innovation Commons. The highlight of each day of the tour entailed presentations and meetings with Paul Singh, entrepreneur in residence with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, as part of his North American Tech Tour. During the week, Mr. Arden, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Kogan, and Ms. Scheib participated in "Office Hours," where they provided feedback to entrepreneurs on various business concepts. On day two of the tour, Mr. Kogan and Mr. Cooper presented an educational program on "What Deal Terms Mean for Founders, Start-Up Teams, and Investors," where they examined term sheets, types of early stage financing, and Series A terms. Mr. Cooper and Ms. Scheib serve on various segments of the CVG Board of Directors. Robinson+Cole is a Deal Lead Sponsor of CVG.

Eric Kogan Quoted in Hartford Business Journal Publication

Eric M. Kogan provides insight on Connecticut's 2015 venture capital (VC) funding in the article "Tax credit shift boosts 2015 venture investment," which appeared in the Hartford Business Journal’s online publication HartfordBusiness.com on February 22, 2016. Mr. Kogan's take is that many Connecticut deals are encouraging start-up ventures, especially in technology, software, and health care technology industries. The Invest CT Fund, which provides tax credits to insurers that invest in Connecticut businesses, played a part in last year's venture capital activity. Most participating companies are, according to Mr. Kogan, "...early stage, with some later stage, focused on areas like emerging innovation and green technology." In sum, he says, "We have the makings of a robust emerging companies investor ecosystem right here in Connecticut."
 
Mr. Kogan is chair of Robinson+Cole's Business Transactions Group.

Robinson+Cole Lawyer Appointed to National Conference for Community and Justice Board of Directors

Robinson+Cole lawyer Matthew J. Guanci, Jr., has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Conference for Community and Justice's (NCCJ) Connecticut/Western Massachusetts chapter. The NCCJ is a human relations organization that promotes inclusion and acceptance by providing education and advocacy while building communities that are respectful and just for all. Through advocacy, conflict resolution, and education, it advocates understanding and respect among all races, religions, and cultures. As the first NCCJ region established in the country, the Connecticut/Western Massachusetts chapter has a strong 80-year history.

Matthew Guanci Appointed to the ACG Connecticut Board of Directors

Robinson+Cole Lawyer Participates in 2014 Innovation Summit

The 2014 Innovation Summit was full of inventive, enterprising entrepreneurs and Robinson+Cole lawyer Eric J. Dale had the honor of introducing the "Tech Companies to Watch" selected to participate in the summit's pitch fest. Forty select firms participated in the pitch fest, delivering a three-minute pitch to a panel of judges who picked the best and awarded cash prizes. 

This was the 8th annual event presented by the Connecticut Technology Council, the Angel Investor Forum, the Crossroads Venture Group, and CURE on November 12 at the Oak Dale Theater in Wallingford, Connecticut. Mr. Dale is chair of the Business Transactions Group at Robinson+ Cole and president of the Cross Roads Venture Group. 

Eric Dale Quoted in HBJ Venture Capital Article

Eric J. Dale, chair of Robinson+Cole's Business Transactions Group, was quoted in HartfordBusiness.com, a publication of the Hartford Business Journal (HBJ), on August 11, 2014. The article "After a slumber, CT venture capital roars again" offers positive news on venture capital's investment revival in Connecticut. Mr. Dale reflected on this phenomenon in the venture capital market, saying, "It's not that there are so many more deals as it is that the dollar volume is up so much." He added that the state may be experiencing the beginning of a growth cycle. Please click here to view the entire article. In addition to his practice at Robinson+Cole, Mr. Dale is president of the Crossroads Venture Group.

Eric Dale Elected President of Crossroads Venture Group Board of Directors

Super Lawyers® Names 61 Robinson & Cole Attorneys to 2013 List

Eric Dale Speaks at CVG 2nd Thursday "Marketing at the Speed of Light"

Boston Attorney Michael Wirvin Joins DCF Kids Fund

“What You Wish You Knew Before Selling Your Business” Prepares Business Owners for the Big Exit Event

Mr. Dale’s talk focused on the components of a purchase agreement and what business owners can do to get the greatest value out of the most important business transaction they might ever make - the sale of their company.

The seminar also featured perspectives from Ben Maini of Reynolds & Rowella, Jon Rubin of Westbury Group, and Greg Singer of Bernstein Global Wealth Management.

Q2 Deal Report

“Competition for Capital in the Private Markets – What LP Investors Want in 2011” – A Signature Series Event at Robinson & Cole

Among key trends noted at the breakfast were the following:

1. Greater focus by LPs on GPs’ ability to generate better returns through active management of their portfolio companies, and a growing feeling that PE funds investing in smaller companies and focusing on operational improvements might offer better investment prospects for LPs.

2. Credit availability and rebounding prices have once again made leverage attractive, and it is making a strong comeback. This could lead to increased pressure on funds to use overly aggressive leverage models in structuring deals.

3. Pre-IPO hype over social media giants like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter has resulted in a sharp valuation increase for companies in this space that is expected to continue. Whether this will lead to a conforming rise in valuations in related sectors is unclear, but there has already been a clear uptick in information technology/Internet company valuations since late 2010.

4. Pressure on management and other fees generated by fund managers as well as other structural techniques to better align interests of GPs with those of LPs.

“Competition for Capital – What LP Investors Want in 2011” was part of Robinson & Cole’s ongoing Signature Series of events for clients and friends of the firm. Stay tuned for news about upcoming presentations.

Cambridge Associates is a provider of independent investment advice and research to institutional investors and private clients worldwide. Services include investment consulting, outsourced portfolio solutions, independent research, and performance monitoring and tools across all asset classes.

Robinson & Cole Welcomes Partner Joseph B. White

Venture Capital is the Engine of Innovation in the Tech Sector

New associate Paula Pescaru assisted in drafting the article in Connecticut Innovations.

Robinson & Cole’s Deal Team Dominates Venture Deals in Q3

Below is a list of the deals for the third quarter, the Robinson & Cole deals are in bold.

Program Examines Impact of the Dodd Frank Act on Non-financial Businesses

Mr. Roos has advised banks, insurance companies, diversified financial service companies, and other public and private entities on many regulatory and transactional matters for more than 30 years. Mr. Roos has served as chair of the financial institutions and consumer law sections of the Connecticut Bar Association. He currently serves as general counsel to the Connecticut Mortgage Bankers Association, Inc. and as Connecticut state chair of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys.

Private Equity Group Chair Sees Thaw of Venture Credit Capital Markets

Overall, Dale said he is seeing a thawing of the venture credit capital markets, especially from the small angel investors market and larger deals over $5 million. Where deals continue to be slow, however, are those between $1 million and $3 million. “We are seeing smaller and larger deals, but there is still a gap in the market,” Dale said. It’s difficult to make money on early stage investments; Angel investors, on the other hand, tend to be long-term investors who are not ‘doing this for a living,’ so they are more willing to be patient and think long term in terms of the return.

“State missing National Trend, See Venture Capital Slowing in Q2” appeared in the Hartford Business Journal on August 2, 2010. To read the article click here.

Robinson & Cole Partner Says Venture Capital Data Portend Better Deal Flow

Mr. Dale noted that while the numbers indicate positive growth, the huge investment increases could be a timing issue. Deals could have been put on hold late last year and then completed in the first quarter of 2010, which led to the sharp increase. But if the second quarter shows another meaningful uptick in investment activity, it will confirm that the “market has bottomed out and that investors are opening their wallets again.”

“Venture Deal Data Suggest Better Days Ahead” by Greg Bordonaro appeared in the May 3, 2010 edition of the Hartford Business Journal. For more information about the MoneyTree Report, click here.

Robinson & Cole's Deal Team featured in Financial Sense Column on Trends in M&A Activity

Among the deals the group participated in last year are the following:

• One of Robinson & Cole's private equity clients, PNBK Holdings, was interested in acquiring a controlling interest in Patriot National Bancorp in Stamford, which has $937 million in assets and 19 branches, but was facing financial pressures from growing loan losses. PNBK Holdings, led by Michael Carrazza, proposed investing up to $50 million to purchase 33.3 million newly issued shares of common stock. The deal landed in litigation but has been salvaged and is on target to close soon.
• Represented Nielsen Co. in the sale of eight of its publications, including the Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Adweek, Brandweek, Mediaweek, the Clio Awards, Backstage, and Film Journal International, selling them to e5 Global Media.

Please click here to read the article.

Robinson & Cole Plays a Leading Role at Connecticut Digital Media Conference

CT Digital Media and the Connecticut Venture Group co-sponsored the 2009 conference. Business Transactions Group lawyers Eric J. Dale and Eric M. Kogan are co-founders of CT Digital Media, and Mr. Dale is president of the Fairfield County chapter of the Connecticut Venture Group and serves on its board.