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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.
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.”
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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