Foley has been selected as the 2013 and 2014 premium law firm sponsor of TechStars Chicago, the local affiliate of TechStars, the #1 start-up accelerator in the world. The three-month Chicago program launched today and will conclude with a Demo Day on August 28, when participating companies present their businesses to potential investors.
Foley will provide various services for TechStars Chicago and its resident companies, including legal counsel across diverse practice areas and industries, as well as on-site office hours. Participating companies will have access to the firm’s offices and conference spaces nationwide, and may be eligible for venture capital investment from Foley VenturesSM funds, which are exclusively dedicated to investing in or with Foley clients. The Foley team will be led by Chicago Partners Christopher Cain and Lisa Conmy and Senior Counsel Galen Mason.
“Our sponsorship of TechStars Chicago is yet another example of Foley’s commitment to encouraging growth of the local start-up and technology communities,” said Myles Berman, managing partner of Foley’s Chicago office. “We understand the value emerging companies bring to strengthening both the local and national economy, and are thrilled to participate in the premiere accelerator program in the country.”
TechStars provides resident companies with seed funding from more than 75 top venture capital firms and angel investors, intensive mentorship from prominent entrepreneurs and support from local partners in such areas as legal, travel, banking and web hosting services.
“Foley is the perfect combination of local hands-on presence with a national footprint,” said Troy Henikoff, managing director of TechStars Chicago. “The Foley team has demonstrated a real commitment to this market, bringing experience from multiple offices and years of doing venture capital deals around the country to right here to Chicago. Most importantly, they know how to help our entrepreneurs in a down-to-earth way that balances size and personal attention.”
About Foley & Lardner LLP
With approximately 900 attorneys in 21 offices, Foley & Lardner LLP provides award-winning business and legal insight to clients across the country and around the world. Our team-based approach, innovative technology, and focus on value and client service are continually recognized by our clients and the legal industry. Foley has been named one of the elite BTI Client Service 30 for nine of the past 10 years in a survey* of Fortune 1000 corporate counsel. In addition, Foley received 20 national first-tier rankings on the 2013 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list and was named to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 list for technological innovation that enhances business value.
*The BTI Consulting Group (Wellesley, MA)
About TechStars Chicago
TechStars Chicago, formerly Excelerate Labs, is one of the nation’s premier accelerator programs for technology startups. The program has graduated 30 companies, which have gone on to raise more than $30 million in funding to date. Named one of Forbes Magazine’s Top 10 Hottest Startup Incubators, TechStars Chicago operates out of the 1871 co-working space in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. For more information, visit http://www.techstars.com/program/locations/chicago/.
