Spin-off SIG Webinar #8

Spin-off SIG Webinar #8

Splitting the Pie: Equity Negotiations Between Universities and Startups

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Who deserves equity in a university spin-off, and how much? These questions create some of the most contentious negotiations in knowledge transfer, and the answers can make or break a startup's future fundraising potential.

This panel tackles the practical challenges knowledge transfer offices face daily: What’s the effect of adding royalties and milestone payments on top of equity stakes? Should faculty who won't join as founders still receive equity? How much should universities take? We'll start with cap table fundamentals (how shares are allocated and how dilution works), then dive into real-world scenarios where theory meets messy reality.

Topics include:

  • Cap table fundamentals: share allocation, dilution, and vesting
  • Determining fair equity splits between founders, university, and early contributors
  • Royalties plus equity: when to use both, and when one approach is enough
  • Country-specific requirements and how they shape deal structures

The panel brings diverse experience from Cambridge, USC, venture capital, venture studios, and pharmaceutical licensing. Participants are encouraged to share their own challenges and lessons learned in structuring these deals.

Panelists: Declan Weldon (Cambridge Enterprise), Matt Wichrowski (VC and author), Rubén Darío Flores Saaib (Ligand Pharmaceuticals, formerly USC and General Inception), and Martin Raditsch (CARMA FUND Management and Innovectis GmbH). D'vorah Graeser, founder of RocketSmart AI, will moderate.

This webinar is organised by the Spin-off SIG. Join the Spin-off SIG to stay tuned.

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Testimonials

testimonial

The event had something to offer all members of the TT community from entry level to mid-career and beyond.

John Gleeson

University of Limerick, Ireland

testimonial

The course Software Specific Challenges is a must for every TTO/KTO professional, especially for those working with Social Sciences and Humanities!

Brechtje Vreenegoor

Radboud University, Netherlands

testimonial

The expert-panel discussion educated me in strategic and meritorious choice of inventions to approach investors and manage investment funds for establishing a spin off.  

Ram Siddappa

Erasmus MC, Netherlands

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The best opportunity to learn and discuss common issues and interests directly with peers.

Ian Nicoud

LURIS, Netherlands

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Good opportunity to discuss common issues with fellow professionals and to get updates about the community.

Giuseppe Visimberga

Leiden University, Netherlands