199. Mastering the Art of Fundraising: Legal Insights for Founders w/ Rajiv Samani | Joelson

Episode 199: Anshika Arora (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshika-arora-ab5021137), today’s host from The BAE HQ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bae-hq) and the founder of Eternity (https://eternity-uk.com/) welcomes Rajiv Samani, Corporate Associate at Joelson.

This podcast episode discusses the legalities of fundraising with angel investors, exploring the differences between angels and VCs, key legal documents, managing investor expectations, and common mistakes founders make. Expert insights from Rajiv, a corporate associate at Joelson, offer practical advice on term sheets, investor rights, due diligence, and balancing authority with angel investors. The discussion also highlights tax relief schemes and negotiation strategies for founders.

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Show Notes: 

00:00 - Intro

01:27 - Typical fundraising process with angels vs. VCs.

02:29 - Explanation of term sheets and key legal documents.

04:06 - Advanced subscription agreements and their role in early-stage fundraising.

04:37 - Negotiable terms founders should focus on in discussions with angels.

05:41 - Key investor rights and balancing founder control.

07:30 - Challenges with traditional banks vs. innovation banking.

07:54 - Due diligence process for angel fundraising.

10:29 - Balancing board seats and authority with investors.

12:29 - Common legal mistakes and SEIS/EIS eligibility importance.

15:43 - Aligning investor expectations for follow-on rounds and exits.

17:19 - Closing thoughts and shout-outs to inspiring individuals.

19:25 - Rajiv shares how listeners can connect and seek advice.

20:11 - Final advice on networking and asking for help.

Rajiv Samani:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajiv-samani-124a58100

Joelson: 

https://joelsonlaw.com/