Sweat equity: overrated hype or a real alternative to cash versus equity?

Sweat equity is much more than just a buzzword. It describes the inestimable value that founders and employees add to a startup through their hard work and commitment. Instead of investing financially, they contribute their time, skills and passion – and in return receive shares in the startup.

Profit participation rights – old but gold in mezzanine corporate financing?

Profit participation rights are a popular form of investment in companies, particularly in the area of venture capital/start-ups. They enable investors to participate in promising start-ups or companies and benefit from their success without directly influencing the management of the company. However, the seemingly relaxed concept of profit participation rights conceals a number of legal aspects that need to be considered.

Reviews of recent judgments by Micaela Schork, LL.M. and Patrick J. Kaatz

In the current issue of the magazine GRUR-Prax (issue 3/2024), two lawyers from our IP team have published reviews of current judgments in the areas of personality and media law and trademark law. Twice a month, GRUR-Prax provides a practice-oriented overview of important decisions and innovations in intellectual property law as well as copyright and media law.

Media-for-equity: Successful marketing financing for start-ups?

Companies need to advertise themselves and their products or services in order to develop their target market. However, advertising costs money, which in turn is not available to the necessary extent for start-ups and is also not always so easy to obtain on the (traditional) capital market. So how can this problem be solved? Media-for-equity is the key!

M&A transactions & ESG – match or no match?

Three letters have been on everyone’s lips for some time (not only) among investors: “ESG”. ESG stands for Environmental, Social, Governance and translates as “environmental, social and corporate governance”. Sustainability therefore no longer refers exclusively to environmental protection, but also to the social and corporate climate.