Brad Lehrman and Lommen Abdo are founding "agitators" of MOJO Minnesota:
Brad Lehrman and Ernest Grumbles, Co-Founders of MOJO MN
MOJO Minnesota is an innovation advocacy force comprised of like-minded business leaders working to fuel entrepreneurship and reignite Minnesota’s culture of innovation. We are business advisors, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors and attorneys passionate about creating jobs and economic growth through the power of Minnesota based technology companies. Our goals are to provide a unique voice and support to Minnesota-grown innovation and shine the light on amazing new technologies developed here that will propel us into becoming a top 5 nationally ranked state for innovation and growth. We will do this through state policy advocacy, creating and hosting unique and interactive events and fostering an active and growing dialog that connects like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, industry groups and corporate partners in bringing Minnesota’s rich innovation heritage back into national prominence.
For more information about MOJO Minnesota, visit www.mojominnesota.com. See more about the recent launch event on YouTube.
|
The pathway to a successful emerging growth company is full of wrong turns, dead ends and a few landmines. To successfully navigate the potential pitfalls, you will need experienced advisors who have " been there and done it". Our team of lawyers are experienced business counselors and former venture capital professionals who have advised companies from inception to IPO. We bring a strategic perspective to our clients business transactions and leverage our extensive networks to achieve strong business minded results. We look forward to guiding your emerging business down a pathway to success.
Lommen Abdo represents clients with a wide variety of Emerging Growth Business / Venture Capital issues. We are available to assist our clients, both individuals and businesses, with private placements, public offerings, and other capital raising endeavors. We offer advice to clients regarding compliance with state and federal laws and regulations and work with them on disclosure, registration and other matters.
Brad Lehrman, the chair of Lommen Abdo's Emerging Growth/Venture Capital practice, was the founder and president of Portage Capital, Inc. and was founder and fund manager of Portage Equity Investments, two early stage accredited venture capital funds whose portfolio companies included emerging growth software, medical device, biotech, health sciences, telecommunications, semiconductor, IT technology and publishing companies.
"Brad's more than just an attorney," notes Jeff O'Dell, who has known and worked with Lehrman for more than 10 years, and who is the founder and CEO of Bewiki, LLC. "He's always strong on business strategy and has provided not only strategic legal counsel but investment, moral support and a good sense of humor. He's an advancer, someone who can move things down the field with an acute understanding of corporate finance."
"Lehrman's real-world perspective and understanding of corporate finance, along with his infectious enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit, make him a valuable businessman and attorney to have on your side," says Jeff Wright, Vice President, Midwest Wind Finance, which finances wind energy projects across the country. "He's extremely well connected and has strong relationships with other investors."
"I don't make any strategic moves without Brad Lehrman's counsel," adds Howard Milstein, President of Medi-Stem USA, a medical device company. "He's creative, clever and 'gets it' immediately in any business setting. He's a man of great vision and understands the processes to realize that vision, plus he has an enormous network. He knows who to pull together to promote development and growth. Plus, I consider him a personal friend as well as a trusted business advisor."
Lommen Abdo is a partner of the Minnesota Cup, a statewide business plan competition hosted by the University of Minnesota and Wells Fargo. Minnesota Cup partners are companies that offer support and resources to early stage growth companies in Minnesota and also to the competition. At the heart of the Minnesota Cup competition is the idea that the ongoing vitality of our state economy in large part depends upon the continuous discovery and nurturing of innovative, trendsetting entrepreneurial ideas. It's these ideas that have the powerful potential to grow and become the next great business success story in our state. Lommen Abdo attorney Brad Lehrman serves as a member of the review board of the Minnesota Cup, the group that determines the winner. For more information about the Minnesota Cup, visit http://www.breakthroughideas.umn.edu/.
We would be pleased to answer any questions you may have about the services of our Emerging Growth/Venture Capital attorneys. Any questions may be directed to:
In Minnesota:
Brad Lehrman at 612-336-9317 or blehrman@lommen.com, or 800-752-4297.
Additional Information:
A Gift for Grads: Start-Ups - If you have a son or daughter graduating from college this year, you’ve probably gotten the word. When meeting this year’s college grads it’s best not to ask: “Hey, what are you doing next year?” Too many recent graduates don’t have an answer. They can’t find jobs even remotely related to their fields. This year’s graduation theme is: “Don’t ask. Can’t say.” We owe our young people something better — and the solution is not that complicated, although it is amazing how little it is discussed in the Washington policy debates. We need three things: start-ups, start-ups and more start-ups. Read the rest of Tom Friedman's New York Times article.
An article appeared on medcitynews.com about MOJO (MN), a group of like-minded Twin Cities business leaders (co-founded by Brad Lehrman) concerned with the decreasing trend of innovation investment in the state of Minnesota.
Angel Investor Tax Credit Now Available in Minnesota! The House and Senate passed a package of tax cuts that legislators call the "jobs" bill, and it was signed into law on April 1, 2010. This is great news for the entrepreneurial community and will help reignite Minnesota's culture of innovation.
A list of key contacts is provided for Minnesota state agencies coordinating the federal stimulus money.
"How Positive Psychology Can Boost Your Business" from the February 13, 2009 Business Week. It's a reminder that optimism is a component to entrepreneurial success!
Lommen Abdo client, Midwest Wind Energy, featured in December 2008 Finance & Commerce article entitled "Green: Renewable-energy sector has high hopes for Obama administration."
Listen to the podcast of an interview with Brad Lehrman focusing on what business owners can do to increase their chances of gaining venture capital.
How to Build a Bulletproof Startup, from Business 2.0
Issues Influencing Finance Structure and Investment Decisions: A Case Study, by Brad Lehrman and Stephen Charbonnet
The Kauffman Foundation is working to further understand the phenomenon of entrepreneurship, to advance entrepreneurship education and training efforts, to promote entrepreneurship-friendly policies, and to better facilitate the commercialization of new technologies by entrepreneurs and others which have great promise for improving the economic welfare of our nation.
Venture Capital Funding Quarterly Transaction Reports:
- Alternative Energy·Clean Tech·Energy·Environmental
- Biotechnology · Pharmaceutical · Medical Devices
- Internet · Digital Media · eCommerce · Software
- Telecom · Wireless · Mobile · Communications