The Founder's Hour

From Idea to Exit: Happy Hour Conversations on Forming, Growing, and Selling a BusinessHosted by Lowenstein Sandler partners Eric Weiner and Laura Cicirelli, The Founder's Hour explores the legal and business considerations facing startups—from formation to exit. Each episode is based on a monthly in-person gathering at Lowenstein's New York City office, where members of the venture community come together to discuss the topic of the month. Episodes feature insights from the firm's tax, intellectual property, employment, and executive benefits teams—providing practical guidance for founders, executives, and investors navigating every stage of growth.

The Founder's Hour is a business podcast hosted by Lowenstein Sandler LLP, with 6 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Lowenstein Sandler LLP hosts The Founder's Hour, a business show with 6 episodes published.

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  Episode #5

  Raising a Priced Round — Understanding the Terms Beyond the Price

  Aug 25, 202645 minS1

  In this episode of The Founder's Hour Lowenstein partners Laura Cicirelli and Eric Weiner discuss a company's first equity financing and what founders should understand before entering a priced preferred stock round. The conversation explores how priced rounds differ from SAFEs and convertible notes, including more robust documentation, longer timelines, investor diligence, economics, liquidation preferences, governance rights, major investor rights, founder re-vesting, transfer restrictions, and drag-along provisions. The episode also highlights why the first equity financing can set the foundation for future rounds and why founders should work with counsel to understand the balance of power they are creating with investors going forward. Speakers: Laura Cicirelli , Partner, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Eric Weiner , Partner, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital

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  Episode #4

  Doing the Math — Valuation, Cap Tables, and Founder Dilution

  Jul 16, 202623 minS1

  In this episode of The Founder's Hour , Lowenstein partners Laura Cicirelli and Eric Weiner build on prior conversations about company formation, SAFEs and convertible notes, and venture debt to examine how valuation and cap table math affect founders over time. The discussion walks through the impact of equity incentive pools, convertible securities, pre-money and post-money valuation, and priced equity rounds, highlighting how each financing decision can change founder ownership and dilution. Cicirelli and Weiner also explain why founders should look beyond the headline valuation in a term sheet and understand how today's cap table decisions may shape future fundraising, incentives, and long-term growth. Speakers: Laura Cicirelli , Partner, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Eric Weiner , Partner, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital

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  Episode #4

  Doing the Math — Valuation, Cap Tables, and Founder Dilution

  Jul 16, 202623 minS1

  <p >In this episode of The Founder's Hour, Lowenstein partners Laura Cicirelli and Eric Weiner build on prior conversations about company formation, SAFEs and convertible notes, and venture debt to examine how valuation and cap table math affect founders over time. The discussion walks through the impact of equity incentive pools, convertible securities, pre-money and post-money valuation, and priced equity rounds, highlighting how each financing decision can change founder ownership and dilution. Cicirelli and Weiner also explain why founders should look beyond the headline valuation in a term sheet and understand how today's cap table decisions may shape future fundraising, i...

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #3

  Borrowing Smart — Venture Debt and Other Financing Alternatives

  May 21, 202643 minS1

  In this episode of The Founder's Hour , Debt Finance partner Raquel Smith joins hosts Laura Cicirelli and Eric Weiner to discuss venture debt facilities. They unpack the key terms founders should understand in venture debt financings, including common red flags, affirmative and negative covenants, financial covenants, and events of default. The conversation also explores the importance of building strong relationships within the venture debt ecosystem, along with the broader risks, strategic considerations, and potential pitfalls associated with venture debt financings. Speakers: Laura Cicirelli , Partner, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Eric Weiner , Partner, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Raquel Smith , Partner, Debt Finance

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  Episode #3

  Borrowing Smart — Venture Debt and Other Financing Alternatives

  May 21, 202643 minS1

  <p >In this episode of The Founder's Hour, Debt Finance partner Raquel Smith joins hosts Laura Cicirelli and Eric Weiner to discuss venture debt facilities. They unpack the key terms founders should understand in venture debt financings, including common red flags, affirmative and negative covenants, financial covenants, and events of default. The conversation also explores the importance of building strong relationships within the venture debt ecosystem, along with the broader risks, strategic considerations, and potential pitfalls associated with venture debt financings.</p> <p >Speakers:</p> <p > Laura Cicirelli, Partner, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital<br /> Eric Weiner, Partner, Emerging Companies & Venture...

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