The decision to sell or continue ownership of a family business is complex. Business owning families who recognize early the importance of both the financial and non-financial considerations of a potential sale are more likely to make good transition decisions.
No matter what stage of the business cycle you are in, you should always have a defined strategy for your business operations and potential exit. For many family business owners, the sale of their business will be the single largest transaction of their lives. Yet many enter this transaction not fully prepared. To ensure you maximize your sale, the...
While many business owners are struggling to find qualified successors, family members oftentimes oppose proposed sales to outsiders because they think they should have the chance to take over the business. Research from Rothstein Kass suggests that advance planning can minimize family squabbles and ensure smoother business transitions.
As technological advances are disrupting and transforming companies in every sector, the traditional investing landscape is also being disrupted. Venture capital is at the core of the transformation and has become a critical component of a long-term investment strategy. With the potential for attractive returns and significant impact to society, ve...
It's no secret that cryptocurrency markets and the larger digital assets economy have been roiled by recent instability, resulting in discussions about how regulatory initiatives, rising inflationary pressure, and public adoption trends will affect industry participants long term. To help navigate this challenging environment, a collection of ...
The blockchain/crypto space continues to evolve at a blistering pace, with bitcoin reaching an all-time high of $65k in mid-April up from its $29k price at the beginning of 2021. The growth was fueled by a number of converging factors and game-changing developments in the crypto space. In addition to a crypto market update, this year-in-review repo...
The tech industry has been undergoing a difficult period. Economic instability, high inflation, and rising interest rates have prompted tech companies to reevaluate their business strategies, adjust their growth plans, and revisit their staffing models. At the same time, there have been remarkable advancements with generative artificial intelligenc...
Leaders of founder-owned businesses embarking on a liquidity event often have never been through a sale process or conducted a formal capital raise. It’s a complex process—so they often turn to outside advisors for guidance. In preparation for it, consider the questions advisors are likely to ask, as well as which questions might produce the best p...
ChatGPT and other generative AI tools are expanding and changing the way work is done. From a legal perspective, there are issues to consider when it comes to using generative AI in the workplace. Some of those issues were clear after two lawyers did an experiment testing ChatGPT’s ability to write a blog post on a legal topic.
Many liquidity events involving founder-owned companies face the same underlying challenge: The business owner and outside investors often have diverging perspectives on everything from debt to reliance on third-party advisors to how they think about the future. Bridging this divergence is crucial in finding the right partner and maximizing the val...
There are a lot of upsides to using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, but there are also a lot of risks. In this edition of Warner’s Emerging Media and Technologies Industry Update, Brian Wassom offers tips and guidance on what businesses can do to protect themselves against AI pitfalls that could put them in the legal hot seat. Watch the vi...
When selling your business, choosing the right team of advisors can make or break the deal. Some business owners may question whether to hire an investment bank to help with the transaction—perhaps to save on transaction fees or because there is already a specific buyer in mind. Before deciding to “go it alone,” consider the quantifiable value...
Selling a business is a calculated, and often very personal, decision many owners make. Some consider selling due to the lack of a solid succession plan, an unclear path to continued success or a desire to spend time elsewhere. Regardless of why, the ultimate consideration is often around timing and potential valuation. You could be asking yourself...
The growth of ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence (AI) tools is not slowing down. From small startups to multinational corporations, employees across the spectrum are leveraging ChatGPT to enhance their productivity and streamline their workflows. Given the potential risks—including confidentiality and personal data and privacy violations—ass...
For a business owner considering the sale of their business, there are two competing goals: maximizing the proceeds from the sale and minimizing the transfer taxes that will be due on the owner’s enhanced estate. With additional insights, Warner Partner Beth O’Laughlin discusses possible ways to accomplish both of these goals through gift and estat...