Seminar Title: Going Your Own Way: Technology Startups

Abstract of Talk: We will explore the basics of starting a technology company, including formation considerations, funding issues, and “how it works.” Students will leave with an appreciation of the opportunities and challenges present when launching an independent commercial enterprise, as well as an appreciation of how an entrepreneurial mindset can be a of value in an established company.

Biographical Sketch of the Speaker: John Lanza is a partner and intellectual property lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP where he excels at helping companies identify and maximize the corporate value of their intellectual property assets. He provides strategic advice to his clients regarding the acquisition, transfer and enforcement of intellectual property rights and counsels them regarding their business operations in the face of adverse intellectual property rights. John is co-chair of the firm’s Manufacturing Industry Team, and is also a member of the firm's Electronics and the Private Equity & Venture Capital Practices and the Technology Industry Team.

More importantly, he is a Georgia Tech graduate, MSEE ’88 and BEE ’87.