Presentation on the legal aspects for foreign start-ups establishing themselves in Silicon Valley. This was part of a seminar on "How to take the first steps into Silicon Valley", organized by Confindustria and the Italian Consulate in San Francisco.

1. Antonio Valla
© 2013 Valla & Associates, Inc., P.C.
www.vallalaw.com
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2. How to Take the First Steps
into Silicon Valley
November 6,2013
2013 Valla & Associates, Inc., P.C
www.vallalaw.com
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3. Legal Aspects – Corporate & Tax

Corporate formation and entity selection



Mid and long-term view
Fast and easy to form and manage
Tax planning


Relatively low importance in the early stages
Tax rates are low, and fundamental tax
concepts are easy to understand
© 2013 Valla & Associates, Inc., P.C.
www.vallalaw.com
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4. Legal Aspects - Contracts

Freedom to Contract is
Pervasive
 You get what you
negotiate, not what
you deserve
 Statutory
framework is
limited, and generic
© 2013 Valla & Associates, Inc., P.C.
www.vallalaw.com
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5. Legal Aspects – Contracts Cont.

Freedom to Contract is Pervasive
 Common law adds a degree of uncertainty to
commercial relationships
 SO:

READ IT!! The contract language is fundamental
for a correct management of investment and
commercial risks
© 2013 Valla & Associates, Inc., P.C.
www.vallalaw.com
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6. Legal Aspects – Employment Laws


This is the West Coast and not the Far
West
HR management is fundamental to
growth, and requires an understanding of
the rules of the game
© 2013 Valla & Associates, Inc., P.C.
www.vallalaw.com
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7. Legal Aspects – Employment Laws Cont.


Highly-regulated area, and generally risky
environment for employers
Start-ups are not
immune
© 2013 Valla & Associates, Inc., P.C.
www.vallalaw.com
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8. Thank you…
E buon lavoro!
Valla & Associates, Inc., P.C.
California – New York
E-mail: antonio.valla@vallalaw.com
Phone: +1 925 705 7623
www.vallalaw.com
© 2013 Valla & Associates, Inc., P.C.
www.vallalaw.com
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