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Global firm launches Melbourne start-up school
A global law firm has successfully rolled out a new education program for start-ups, based in the Victorian capital.
Emma Musgrave
Herbert Smith Freehills announced last week that it has launched the Herbert Smith Freehills Startup School, a program dedicated to supporting Australian entrepreneurs through their ventures.
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According to a statement from HSF, the Herbert Smith Freehills Startup School program consists of six practical workshops run by experienced lawyers from the firm, along with some of its pre-eminent partners from the start-up sector, including Greenwoods & Herbert Smith Freehills, Edgelabs, rampersand, Lux Group, Cannings and Zeus Consulting.
In addition, the workshops cover a range of topics including e-commerce and intellectual property; tax structuring and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs); employees and contractors; contracting and commercialisation; enabling investment; and strategic communications.
On what led to the decision to launch the program, HSF said it aims to “educate entrepreneurs on areas of key legal risk that impact investment opportunities, and provide mechanisms for early intervention and prevention”.
“It also provides founders with legal triage skills so that they can identify material legal issues as they arise,” the firm said.
Herbert Smith Freehills executive counsel Kate Carlile noted that the program allows for entrepreneurs to hear from experienced founders on the pitfalls and challenges of launching their own start-up, and are encouraged to share their own experiences while bouncing ideas off one another.
“As a firm, we’ve had the privilege of advising many of Australia’s most successful start-ups throughout different stages of their journey – from acting on their initial capital raisings through to developing their employee share schemes and advising on their initial public offerings and other exits,” Ms Carlile said.
“Now we’ve partnered with some leading names in the sector to share our expertise and network with the next generation of Aussie entrepreneurs.
“Startup School participants will receive a host of relevant commercial and legal insights and will have the opportunity to connect with investors and build relationships within the start-up sector and the wider Melbourne business community.
“Australia’s young and vibrant culture offers fertile ground for entrepreneurs to capitalise on their bold vision. We’re delighted to play a part in helping to foster the spirit of innovation in Australia.”
