Foley announced today that Foley VenturesSM Fund II, a venture capital fund exclusively dedicated to investing in or with Foley clients, successfully raised $2.6 million from its partners. Combined with the firm’s initial venture capital fund, Foley Ventures Fund I, the firm’s partners have raised a total of $6.6 million and invested in 32 clients.
The development of the Foley Ventures funds is a direct result of the firm’s extensive venture capital and private equity experience and insight gained through working with numerous funds and emerging growth companies. The firm’s partners recognized that clients need more than legal insights to succeed and funded Foley Ventures Funds I and II to invest in – or alongside – them.
“Establishing Foley’s active venture capital funds has proved to be very important in supporting our clients in their pursuit of capital to grow their businesses or to invest in promising early-stage businesses,” said Gabor Garai, chair of the firm’s Private Equity & Venture Capital Practice. “By having a vested financial interest in our clients’ businesses, we have demonstrated our commitment to their success by literally putting our money where our mouths are.”
Foley Ventures funds are designed to simplify the investment process. When an attorney is working with a venture fund client, Foley Ventures will invest in a portfolio company, which is projected to have adequate cash flow after the investment, for at least one year. For start-up or emerging companies, the fund will invest if the company receives a simultaneous investment from a professionally managed venture fund or angel group, and if adequate cash flow for one year is projected. Foley Ventures Fund II also allows for investment in other venture capital or private equity funds that are managed or sponsored by clients.
Foley attorneys across all practices ranging from intellectual property to government regulations, in any U.S. or international office, are free to submit qualified investment opportunities regardless of whether or not they invested in Foley Ventures. This provides the fund with an extensive and diverse deal flow.
Foley’s Private Equity & Venture Capital Practice is comprised of more than 200 attorneys focused on the full range of public and private debt and equity vehicles and their investment activities. By offering an array of legal services, including intellectual property, employee benefits, tax, finance, real estate and corporate transactions, attorneys can assist angel, private equity and venture capital funds with all aspects of their business from fund formation to exit strategy. Foley Ventures further enhances the high caliber of service the firm provides to clients and is among many service offerings available through the Private Equity & Venture Capital Practice.
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)