STAN Talks

On February 29, 2024, we hosted "STAN Talks: Legal Basics for Startups & Investing" at the Service Titan Armenia’s office in the heart of Yerevan. Hayk Mamaganyan, STAN Angel Investor and Founder of HVM Law firm, shared perspectives on the latest trends in fundraising and dealmaking from the legal perspectives. Hayk delved into the complexities and nuances that entrepreneurs and investors encounter in the different stages of the startup development, from incorporation to cap table, from SAFEs to C-Notes.

Key Takeaways

• 2023 was one of the toughest years for the global innovation ecosystem. It had the lowest VC funding since 2017. Startup valuations dropped but historically high. Startups started implementing smaller rounds. Many had down rounds. The ecosystem experienced massive lay-offs by tech giants.
• For 2024, the ecosystem has more positive expectations with a potential of moderate rebound. Investors will be more focused on profitability potential. Generative AI is a global trend, but investors are looking for viable use cases. Having AI is not a panacea for getting funding. We will witness more lay-offs to be announced this year.

While the global innovation and VC market is in a turbulent stage, the early stage and angel funding is demonstrating stability and in some cases a significant growth. However, given the market conditions, angel investors are gradually shifting from founder friendly SAFEs to Convertible Notes.
Beyond the informative sessions, the event featured extensive networking opportunities. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts.