MONTHLY CHANCE MEETINGS
Monday, March 4th, 5 - 7 pm @ The Virginian Saloon
Please register below
Sometimes all you need is the right connection and a little inspiration. Well, what are you waiting for? Find both at our free monthly networking event. You never know...
Theme: Startup Survival Guide— Key Legal Insights to Help Entrepreneurs Navigate the Journey Safely
Join us on Monday, March 4th from 5-7 pm at The Virginian Saloon for a “fireside chat” tailored specifically for entrepreneurs with attorneys LizAnn Eisen and Ian Smith. We'll delve into the critical legal pitfalls that can ensnare even the most promising startups. From intellectual property to contracts and compliance, we'll equip you with the knowledge and strategies to safeguard your venture's success. Don't let legal complexities hinder your entrepreneurial journey – arm yourself with the insights you need to navigate confidently and thrive!
Our esteemed speakers...
Acting Professor of the Practice, Cornell Tech & Cornell Law School | Sr. Partner, Strategy & Regulatory, Braven | Former Deputy Director, Division of Corporation Finance, SEC
LizAnn is a trusted advisor to companies, organizations and individuals facing complex business and legal challenges. She is a highly accomplished professional with a remarkable career that spans the legal, academic, and public sectors. Her career has been shaped by working collaboratively to identify opportunities, implement value-enhancing strategies and solve problems. LizAnn brings an unusual range of business, strategy and regulatory expertise in both large organizations and startups. She regularly advises entrepreneurs, evaluates and invests in businesses, and serves on public, private and governmental boards.
LizAnn is an Acting Professor of the Practice at Cornell Law School, and has taught at Cornell in Ithaca and Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island since 2018. At the end of 2018, LizAnn retired from Cravath, where she had been a Corporate Partner since 2005, and had a wonderful 20 plus-year career. Her practice focused on domestic and international public and private corporate finance transactions, corporate governance and reporting matters, M&A, and liability management transactions. She has worked across many industries, including technology, financial services, industrials and consumer products.
From January 2022 to September 2022, LizAnn served as the Deputy Director, Disclosure Operations, Division of Corporation Finance at the SEC. In that seat, she led a team of over 350 people overseeing the disclosure review program for ‘33 and ‘34 Act disclosure, including in emerging areas such as fintech and digital assets, and division-wide performance evaluation, risk oversight and strategy.
LizAnn’s experiences have deepened her passion to work with entrepreneurs as a valuable sounding board to them on strategy, regulatory matters and talent. She was on the board of a SPAC and serves on the board of CEA company capitalizing on emerging market trends. Since 2018, through teaching at Cornell Tech, she has spent time with entrepreneurs early in their startup journey. This complements her role as a Senior Partner, Strategy & Regulatory, at Braven, an early-stage investment firm, and as an independent advisor to startups in fintech, digital health and consumer products.
Ian Smith brings to the table a wealth of experience in identifying and capitalizing on new business opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, and leading teams to achieve collective goals.
At the helm of a pioneering travel company situated in the historic and vibrant heart of Rome, Italy, Ian showcased his strengths by carving a notable niche in the travel industry. In addition to his significant achievements in the travel industry, Ian also made a formidable foray into the field of Real Estate Development--focusing on the dynamic and competitive market in the California Bay Area.
Upon returning to his home state of Wyoming, Ian's built on his passion for law and advocacy took center stage by attending law school. After earning his law degree, Ian made the strategic decision to return to Jackson, Wyoming, where he founded his own law firm focusing on bankruptcy and secured transactions. He was soon recruited by Wylie Baker, a firm locally renowned for its prowess in complex real estate transactions.
In a strategic pivot, Ian joined Pirate Ship, stepping into the role of Director of Corporate Development. In this capacity, he led the charge on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), skillfully negotiating partnerships that propelled the company forward in a competitive tech landscape. Ian's expertise in identifying synergistic opportunities and executing complex transactions played a pivotal role in Pirate Ships growth and expansion.
Ian's leadership and strategic vision at Pirate Ship soon led to his appointment as General Counsel, a role in which he has excelled over the past year. Overseeing a team of more than 40 outside counsel attorneys, Ian has adeptly managed a broad spectrum of legal matters. His portfolio includes international taxation, business transactions across borders, intellectual property concerns, corporate restructurings, and cybersecurity, showcasing his comprehensive understanding of the legal challenges and opportunities facing global tech companies today.
Under Ian's guidance, Pirate Ship's legal strategies have become more robust, proactive, and aligned with the company's ambitious goals. His ability to steer the company through a complex legal landscape, combined with a strategic approach to risk management, has safeguarded Pirate Ship’s interests and laid a strong foundation for its future endeavors.
NEWS AND NOTES
NEW ENTREPRENEUR VIDEO: KEELY'S CAMP!
COACHING GIRLS TO BE THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS IN SKIING AND BEYOND
Keely's Camp was founded in 2011 as the first ski racing camp for girls in North America. Her experience in both TEAMS and Start-Up Success have lent focus, efficiency and fortitude to her thriving company.
Keely's Camp was founded in 2011 as the first ski racing camp for girls in North America. In this short video Founder Keely Kelleher explains how Silicon Couloir's TEAMS and Start-Up Success programs have leant focus, efficiency and fortitude to the company.
CLICK HERE FOR THE KEELY’s CAMP VIDEO.
SILICON COULOIR 2023 ANNUAL REPORT
We invite you to read about our accomplishments, vibrant community, and more in this Annual Report. We hope this report inspires you and confirms the remarkable and unique value that Silicon Couloir brings to our community.
VISIONARY VENTURES:
BUILDING AN ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM
"An entrepreneurial ecosystem refers to the interconnected group of individuals, organizations, institutions and resources that collectively contribute to the development and growth of entrepreneurial activities within a specific region, " explains Kristine Brandt, Silicon Couloir staff member. "The best way to empower makers, doers and dreamers is by growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem around them. This supportive environment enhances the entrepreneur’s capabilities and provides a foundation that fosters innovation, growth, and sustainability over the long term."
NOONTIME KNOWLEDGE THURSDAY, MARCH 14TH:
THE SKILL AND ART OF NEGOTIATIONS
To successfully navigate the challenges and opportunities in business, negotiation is an essential skill to master. Please join us on Thursday, March 14th from 12-1:30 at Center for the Arts Conference Room for a free, educational, and engaging Noontime Knowledge to dive deeper into practical approaches and strategies of negotiating. Attendees will have the opportunity to practice the skills they learn.
CONFERENCE IN STYLE AT THE COWORK SPACE
We are pleased to announce a new larger conference room at The Cowork Space with Logitech for seamless connectivity. Our new technology was made possible with a grant from The Community Foundation of Jackson Hole. The conference room is available at no cost to members and can be rented by non-members.
Contact Kristine@siliconcouloir for more details or to schedule a tour, or click the button below for the conference room webpage.
ANNOUNCING THE ILLA APP
ILLA is more accessible than ever via the app store.
Ladies, get connected and get after it!
LEARN MORE ABOUT SILICON COULOIR
HAVE NEWS TO SHARE?
As always, please feel free to send news of your company's press, events, successes, and milestones to Gary@siliconcouloir.com and we'll do our best to feature them in our newsletters!
ARE YOU A COMMUNITY CARETAKER?
Silicon Couloir strengthens our Teton regional community by empowering the entrepreneurial ecosystem. More than just business development, we believe in enriching our community character and enhancing our mountain town culture. Help us support business pioneers in the Tetons by becoming a community caretaker!
To offer your time or talent, please email us at Gary@siliconcouloir.com.