HEUKING contributes legal expertise to the new edition of “The Venture Capital Playbook”
Comprehensive practical handbook for family offices and high-net-worth individuals has been released in a revised edition
AI startups, in particular, are currently evolving into some of the world’s most valuable companies, offering German investors the opportunity to participate in exceptional returns while helping to shape the future of this key technology. The same applies to startups in other sectors, such as Defense, Health/MedTech, FoodTech, AgriTech, to name a few. Yet many investors remain hesitant about venture capital – often due to limited familiarity with this complex asset class.
The updated edition of “The Venture Capital Playbook” by Angela De Giacomo offers a solution: The book demonstrates where venture capital fits within strategic asset allocation and how investors can avoid costly mistakes and seize opportunities by drawing on legal insights from HEUKING and the experiences of eleven families. Following the success of the first edition (1,000 copies sold out within a year), the internationally recognized new edition is available in stores as of October 14.
Consolidated HEUKING expertise for VC investments
Eight HEUKING experts have contributed their specialized knowledge in venture capital, investment funds, capital markets, and tax to this practical handbook: Ariane Neubauer, Dr. Oliver Böttcher, Roman Ettl-Steger (LL.M.), Christoph Prochnau (LL.B.), Mark Rossbroich (LL.M.), Dr. Christoph Gringel, Dr. Thorsten Kuthe, and Dr. Henrik Lay.
“We are delighted about the trustful collaboration with Angela De Giacomo and the opportunity to contribute our combined expertise regarding startups,” said partner and lawyer Ariane Neubauer.
Practical supplementary materials available
In addition to the book, HEUKING provides extensive materials, including:
- Overview of employee participation schemes for German startups
- Sample term sheet and cap table
- Due Diligence process from a legal and tax perspective
- IPOs of VC-funded companies
- Legal pitfalls associated with an exit
- Waterfall calculation
- Liquidation preferences and down round protection
- Indirect investments: Side letters
Insights from angel investors to multi-million families
The book offers a unique look into the VC world – from angel investors to families allocating multi-million sums to this asset class. Particularly valuable are the hands-on tips from HEUKING experts, who highlight legal pitfalls and provide concrete recommendations for action.
The guide is primarily aimed at family offices and high-net-worth individuals who are investing or considering investing in venture capital. At the same time, it offers VC funds and startups valuable insights into the mindset of their (potential) investors. Eleven in-depth interviews with experienced families and two VC funds round out the practical guide, providing authentic industry insights.
About the author
Angela De Giacomo has extensive practical VC experience. Until 2021, she led an international family office and subsequently served as CIO of Thomas Falk’s single-family office (eValue AG), overseeing more than 80 VC investments. During this time, she helped establish the fund-of-funds Vinthera. Her achievements have earned her recognition from Capital (“Top 40 under 40”), Focus (“100 Women of the Year”), and DUP UNTERNEHMER (“Top 50 Women for Germany’s Future”). “This book is the opposite of a theoretical collection: eleven families and eight HEUKING experts, together with me, present various ways to participate in VC and avoid costly mistakes. The result is a pragmatic guide that empowers every investor to invest professionally in the future,” explains Angela De Giacomo.
Availability
“The Venture Capital Playbook” is available via FAZ, Amazon, and in bookstores. For further information, please visit: https://fazbuch.de/produkt/the-venture-capital-playbook/
