Agenda

8:30amRegistration & Breakfast

9:15amWelcome & Introduction

9:30amFiduciary Duties and Navigating Conflicts of Interest

Navigating conflicts of interest in venture-backed companies is critical for board members. This panel will explore key legal and governance considerations, including conflicts between founders and investors, special considerations for exit transactions and down rounds, and best practices for mitigating risks. Industry experts will share insights on handling these challenging board dynamics.

10:15amCoffee Break

10:30amThe Evolving VC Funding Landscape: Key Insights for Boards

Venture capital funding is undergoing significant shifts, driven by economic conditions, technological advancements, and changing investor sentiment. This panel will explore the latest trends in VC financing and their implications for board decision-making, from early-stage funding to growth rounds. Experts will discuss the evolving roles of traditional VC funds, crossover investors, and corporate venture capital (CVC). Additionally, the panel will examine the rise of secondary markets and new liquidity options, offering insights into how boards can navigate these developments to support long-term company growth.

11:15amManaging Risk: AI, Cybersecurity, and Other Regulatory Challenges

One of the board’s key obligations is to oversee regulatory and other risks. Experts on governance, AI, cybersecurity, and other sources of risk will discuss recent developments and strategies to manage these risks.

12:00pmLuncheon & Keynote Address

1:30pmCompensation in Startups: Balancing Incentives, Liquidity, and Governance

Approving and overseeing stock options and other executive and board compensation structures are critical board responsibilities. This panel will explore recent trends in equity awards, company-sponsored liquidity programs, and the unique challenges that arise when exits are delayed. Experts will provide insights on balancing incentives, retaining top talent, and ensuring alignment with long-term company success.

2:15pmBoardroom Dynamics in VC-Backed Boards

Board dynamics are complex and constantly evolving, especially in venture-backed companies. This panel will explore how founders, investors, and independent directors navigate decision-making, governance, and interpersonal relationships. Experts will provide actionable insights on running efficient board meetings, fostering productive discussions, and aligning diverse stakeholders.

3:00pmCoffee Break

3:15pmLeadership in Crisis: Handling Transitions, Layoffs, and Shutdowns

Startups often face difficult moments that test leadership, governance, and integrity. This panel will explore some of the toughest challenges—CEO and founder transitions, internal investigations, major layoffs, and insolvency. Panelists will share firsthand experiences on navigating these crises with professionalism while addressing the legal, ethical, and reputational risks involved.

4:00pmBoard Composition & Structure: Scaling Governance from Startup to IPO

As startups evolve from early-stage funding to public offering, board composition and structure must adapt to meet new challenges. This panel, featuring experienced board members, founders, and advisors, will explore how board needs shift over time, the importance of diversifying expertise, and strategies for structuring boards to ensure effective governance at every stage of growth. Panelists will share insights on assembling the right mix of skills, balancing investor and independent perspectives, and fostering a board that supports long-term success.

4:45pmClosing Remarks

Location Information

  • Cooley NYC Offices
  • 55 Hudson Yards, New York, NY, 10001 US
  • Google, Bing, MapQuest

Speakers

Abe Cable Professor of Law and Faculty Director, UC Center for Business Law SF. *VCBA Steering Committee Member

Professor Abe Cable joined the UC Law SF faculty in 2011. Prior to joining the faculty at UC Law SF, he was a partner at Miller Nash LLP, in Portland, Oregon. In ten years of practice he worked on a broad range of matters, including private and public offerings of securities, angel and venture capital investments, sale of subprime mortgage-backed securities, and negotiation of software licenses. He has been a visiting professor at Berkeley Law and an adjunct professor at Willamette University College of Law and University of Oregon School of Law.

Evan Epstein Executive Director, UC Center for Business Law SF & Adjunct Professor of Law, UC Law SF. *VCBA Steering Committee Member

Professor Epstein is a corporate governance expert and has advised founders, executives, directors and investors for over 18 years in Silicon Valley and internationally. In 2023, Professor Epstein was named one of the most influential leaders in corporate governance by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) as part of the 2023 NACD Directorship 100™, an annual list of leading corporate directors and governance advocates. Evan is also the founder and managing partner of Pacifica Global, a corporate governance advisory firm based in San Francisco. He is the host and author of the Boardroom Governance Podcast and Newsletter. Prior, Evan was the Executive Director of the Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Center for Corporate Governance, a joint initiative between Stanford Law School and the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Matt Blumberg CEO, Acrolinx; Co-Founder and Chairman, Bolster

New CEO of Acrolinx. Multi-time CEO and founder of technology companies from $0-100mm in revenue. Author of Startup CEO, Startup CXO, and Startup Boards. Host of The Daily Bolster and Country Over Self podcasts.

Priya Cherian Huskins SVP, Management Liability, Woodruff Sawyer

Priya Cherian Huskins is a recognized expert in D&O liability risk and its mitigation. In addition to consulting on D&O insurance matters, she counsels clients on corporate governance, including ways to reduce their exposure to shareholder lawsuits and regulatory investigations.

Priya is a frequent speaker on D&O issues and a regular guest lecturer at Stanford’s Directors’ College. She has appeared on CNBC and been quoted in publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal to the Financial Times. She is also the editor of the D&O Notebook, a blog that analyzes and summarizes issues as they arise in the areas of D&O liability, insurance and corporate governance.

Priya serves on the board of directors of Realty Income Corporation (NYSE: O) and NMI Holdings, Inc.(Nasdaq: NMIH). She also serves on the advisory board of the Stanford University Rock Center for Corporate Governance and on the boards of Woodruff Sawyer and the Long Term Stock Exchange. In 2024, Priya became an NACD Directorship 100 honoree.

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Contact Us

For substantial or content questions (and group discounts), please contact Evan Epstein at [email protected]

For registration and/or payment questions, please contact Leslie Hernandez at (415) 565-4740 or [email protected] 

For other logistics questions, please contact Maggie Connor at [email protected]

 

Register

Make sure to apply for the program first prior to completing the registration form below.

Registration is $1,450 per attendee. The fee is fully refundable with email notice received before October 22, 2024. After that date, refunds will not be issued, but registration may be transferred to the next VCBA event. Credit card payment is accepted online. If a different means of payment is preferred, please contact Leslie Hernandez at [email protected].

Please contact Evan Epstein for special group discounts (5 or more people) at [email protected]

$1,450.00
$1,450.00

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