How Attracting VCs Online Can Attract Legal Headaches

By Nina Kaufman

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

With Foursquare landing $20 million in a recent venture capital funding deal, entrepreneurs are starting to ask, "Why not me, too?" Increasingly, they're turning to internet sites to attract investors who otherwise might never have heard of them. But is that a legally prudent way to go?

Using the internet to interest VCs in your business idea can gain you a lot of exposure. But it can also ensnare you in a legal net if you're not careful. There's the need to balance the increased "eyeballs" with concerns about confidentiality.

Plus, not phrasing the post carefully could run your company afoul of the many state and federal securities laws. Robert Bertsch, Esq., co-founder and CEO of RaiseCapital.com, on how to handle these thorny issues.

Nina L. Kaufman, Esq. is an award-winning New York City attorney, edutainer and author. Under her Ask The Business Lawyer brand, she reaches thousands of entrepreneurs and small business owners with her legal services, professional speaking, information products, and LexAppeal weekly ezine. She also writes the Making It Legal blog.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

AI Could Cause 99% of All Workers to Be Unemployed in the Next Five Years, Says Computer Science Professor

Professor Roman Yampolskiy predicted that artificial general intelligence would be developed and used by 2030, leading to mass automation.

Business News

Mark Zuckerberg 'Insisted' Executives Join Him For a MMA Training Session, According to Meta's Ex-President of Global Affairs

Nick Clegg, Meta's former president of global affairs, says in a new book that he once had to get on the mat with a coworker.

Business News

United Airlines Says It Is Adding Extra Flights in Case Spirit 'Suddenly Goes Out of Business'

Rival airlines, including United and Frontier, are adding new routes as Spirit cuts 12 cities from its schedule.

Buying / Investing in Business

From a $120M Acquisition to a $1.3T Market

Co-ownership is creating big opportunities for entrepreneurs.