Startups Emerging Companies
Louis Lehot fervently believes in nurturing startups and emerging companies in their journey from garage to global. He has helped more than 200 startups and is deeply familiar with many of the most innovative sectors and industries, including biotechnology and life sciences, fintech, proptech, edtech, AI, big data, quantum computing, software as a service (SaaS), and blockchain marketplaces among many others. As he guides them along the way, Louis Lehot helps his clients choose the right form, obtain advisors and financing, protect their intellectual capital, build the right team and compensate it appropriately, plan for hypergrowth, create partnerships and form joint ventures, conduct mergers and acquisitions, and consider multiple exit strategies, ultimately determining the optimal course.
An ardent collaborator and trusted advisor, Louis Lehot has earned the admiration and loyalty of his clients. In their words:
- “Louis Lehot is a trusted counselor. He tells it like it is, even if it isn’t what you want to hear.”
- “I can count on Louis to be in my corner, no matter what.”
- “He makes himself available, 24/7.”
- “Louis listens as well as he advises. He leads with his heart and brings out the best in everyone he meets.”
- “His professional network is like no other—he has contacts world-wide.”
Among Louis’s recent emerging company representations is his work with healthcare AI startup Doc.ai in negotiating strategic investment, commercial, and licensing deals with Anthem, and in its subsequent sale to Sharecare. He subsequently counseled Sharecare in its merger with Falcon Capital Acquisition Corp., a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC). After acquiring Doc.ai, Sharecare was reportedly valued at $4 billion.
Louis and his team also represented Zonehaven in its acquisition by Genasys Inc. (NASDAQ: GNSS), the global leader in critical communications systems and solutions. Zonehaven is a fast-growing provider of software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions for emergency evacuations. Zonehaven provides planning, training, and resources to first responders, public safety agencies, and communities to manage evacuations and repopulations successfully.
Bankjoy, a Detroit-based fintech company, relied on Louis Lehot to lead it through a Series A financing round funded by Bessemer Venture Partners, CheckALT, SoftBank Opportunity Fund, LP and three credit unions.
Louis, along with his team, represented crop science company FluroSat in its all-stock acquisition of soil health startup Dagan. The combined companies, controlled by FluroSat shareholders, relaunched as Regrow, a New Hampshire-based business focused on providing “resilient agriculture” solutions.
The above transactions are a small sampling of Louis’s recent work with startups and emerging companies. Regardless of his clients’ waypoints along their journey, Louis’s passion for assisting them comes through in everything he does.