Startups

Founder’s AI Pitch Deck Can Become A Crime Scene

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This article was originally published on Law360 in June 2026. On April 17, federal prosecutors unsealed a 10-count indictment in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York charging the CEO and chief financial officer of iLearningEngines Inc., a corporate education and training company claiming to utilize artificial intelligence, withsecurities fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy and running a continuing financial crimes enterprise.[1] The criminal enterprise charge alone carries a maximum sentence of life inprison. It was not an isolated case. It … Read more

Musk-OpenAI Verdict Shows Value Of Early-Stage Governance

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SUMMARY A federal jury in Oakland ended the Musk v. Altman trial on May 18 without reaching the merits, finding Elon Musk waited too long to sue OpenAI. The statute of limitations ruling cleared a major legal challenge for OpenAI as it approaches a potential IPO. For founders and investors in mission-driven ventures, the case … Read more

New Jersey Just Built Its AI Future

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New Jersey is no longer just talking about artificial intelligence. It is building the infrastructure, the capital networks and the talent pipelines that serious AI development demands. The NJ AI Hub, now fully operational in West Windsor, has moved from ribbon-cutting ceremony to first cohort in a matter of months, and the implications for entrepreneurs, investors … Read more

The Section 4(a)(2) Offering Trap

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SUMMARY When raising capital, companies can use Section 4(a)(2) or Regulation D exemptions to avoid costly public offerings. While Section 4(a)(2) offers privacy and no federal filings, most attorneys prefer Regulation D because it preempts state securities laws, provides clearer legal standards and offers stronger protection against lawsuits. Section 4(a)(2) remains useful mainly for single-investor … Read more

Navigating Early-Stage Funding

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SUMMARY Tech startups should typically pursue friends-and-family and angel funding before approaching venture capitalists. This sequence offers crucial advantages: founders retain more equity (giving up 5-15% versus 20-30% to VCs), gain negotiating leverage through early traction, maintain operational autonomy and use simpler legal structures like convertible notes. Early capital provides time to experiment without board … Read more

AI Business Planning for Tech Founders

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SUMMARY AI business planning tools empower tech founders by automating market research, financial modeling and strategic planning, delivering data-driven insights and efficiency. Engineers leverage their analytical skills to critically evaluate and refine AI outputs, ensuring alignment with technical realities and investor expectations. This hybrid approach enhances accuracy, scalability and adaptability in business plans, bridging the … Read more

Business Plans: A Complete Guide, Part 2

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Part 1 covered the strategic and operational aspects of business planning. However, the legal foundation of an entrepreneur’s business also requires meaningful attention. Overlooking these elements can result in costly problems that threaten a business’s survival. A separate post will deal with the use of AI in creating business plans. Intellectual Property Protection Trademarks: Entrepreneurs should … Read more

Business Plans: A Complete Guide, Part 1

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Part 1 focuses on why an entrepreneur needs a business plan and what makes one effective. Part 2 will deal with legal considerations and other essential business matters. A separate post will discuss the use of AI in creating business plans. Why Your Business Plan Matters More Than You Think Many new entrepreneurs view business … Read more