Ben Straughan
- Firmwide Co-Chair, NewSpace Industry Group
Ben advises high-growth technology and consumer product companies in early-stage and venture financings, governance, mergers and acquisitions, and research institution spinouts.
As co-chair of Perkins Coie’s NewSpace practice, Ben Straughan assists startups and early-stage companies addressing the unique issues our clients face when doing business in the space economy. Ben understands corporate financial matters, routinely counseling clients on angel and venture capital transactions. His clients span industries in which intellectual property is a key component, including space, software and SaaS, consumer packaged goods; food and beverage; gaming, e-commerce, cloud migration, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML).
Ben is a regular speaker on emerging companies, financing, and M&A. Prior to law school, he worked as a certified public accountant. Ben is in the unusual position of having trained as a transactional tax lawyer at the beginning of his career. As a result, he particularly enjoys corporate transactions in which tax or financial matters play a key role.
Education & Credentials
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif
- University of Washington, B.A., Accounting
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
Related Employment
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Washington D.C., Associate
- Martin/Grambush, Kirkland, WA, Staff Accountant
Professional Recognition
Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2017-2024
Named a Greater Seattle Technology Ecosystem “Top Corporate Lawyer,” iInovate Leadership Network, Study & Entrepreneur’s Guide, 2017
J. Shan Mullin Annual Community Leadership and Service Award, Perkins Coie, 2022
Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
(AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Washington State Bar Association (WSBA), Executive Committee of the Business Law Section, Immediate Past Chair, 2011-2012, Chair, 2010-2011; Chair, 2009 Mid-Year Meeting; Secretary, 2007-2008
- WSBA, Partnership/LLC Law Committee of the Business Law Section, Member
Community Involvement
- University of Washington, Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship, Advisory Board Member
- Northwest Entrepreneur Network (NWEN), Chair of the Board, 2008-2009; Board Member, 2007-2010; Co-Chair, Breakfast Committee, 2009-2010, Co-Chair, Entrepreneur University Steering Committee, 2006
- The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE) Seattle, Board of Advisors, 2006-2007
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Mergers & Acquisitions
Represented ThankView LLC in its Merger with EverTrue Inc.
Served on the deal team representing ThankView LLC in its merger with EverTrue Inc. and combined strategic investment by Rubicon Technology Partners.
Acquisition of Assets from Regional Medical Center
Represented buyer, an S corporation in the health services industry, on acquisition of occupational medicine practice of regional medical center. Drafted and negotiated asset purchase agreement and related agreements, including lease assignment agreement and assignment and assumption agreement.
Acquisition of Software Development and Integration Companies
Advised international technology consulting company in connection with acquisitions of various software development and integration companies. Advised on a variety of agreements in these transactions, including letter of intent. Drafted and negotiated asset purchase agreement, employment agreement, escrow agreement and software technology license agreement.
Sale of Software/Internet Company
Advised owner and founder of internet and software development business, an S corporation, on sale of division assets to national cable television and internet entertainment company, a private equity-backed LLC. Negotiated letter of intent, merger agreement and related documents, including employment agreements and employee compensation plan.
Sale of Retail Company
Advise controlling shareholder on sale of retail company to publicly-held national retail chain. Edit and negotiate Asset Purchase Agreement, Lease Agreement, Escrow Agreement, Bill of Sale, Assignment and Assumption Agreement and Contribution Agreement.
Merger of International Wire Transfer Company
Represent international wire transfer corporation in its merger/acquisition by a private equity backed rollup company, with former Western Union personnel among the management team members. Negotiate various agreements in these transactions including the letter of intent, merger agreement, employment agreements, processing agreement, agent agreement, bank agreement, consulting agreement and escrow agreement.
Acquisition by Meteor Solutions, Inc.
Represented Meteor Solutions (f.k.a. Fyreball) in the acquisition of Reach Machines, Inc.
Sale of assets by Westover Scientific Inc.
Represented Westover Scientific in the sale of its Fiber Division assets to JDS Uniphase Corporation.
Acquisition of TreeHugger Inc.
Represented TreeHugger Inc. in its acquisition by Discovery Networks.
Acquisition of WorldClass Strategy Inc.
Represented WorldClass Strategy Inc. in its acquisition by Halyard Partners.
Sale of Escapia, Inc.
Represented Escapia, Inc., an on-line travel with an enterprise business selection and consumer application, in the sale of its business to a venture-backed portfolio company.
Sale of Inhabitat.com
Represented Inhabitat.com, a weblog devoted to sustainable architecture and sustainable design, in its sale to Internet Brands Inc.
Sale of Radiant Imaging, Inc. and ZEMAX Development Corporation
Jointly represented two sellers in the electronic display and optical instrument industry in the sale of their businesses to a private equity fund. Negotiated terms of sale and resulting limited company structures.
Westover Scientific, Inc. dba Advanced Microscopy Group
Represented medical device company and sole shareholder in sale of all the outstanding capital stock to publicly-held acquiror.
Meteor Solutions
Represented Meteor Solutions, Inc. in its asset sale to Covario, Inc.
Suffirm Media Ltd.—Acquisition of Carolean Capital Partners, LLC.
Represented Suffirm Media Ltd. in the acquisition of assets of Carolean Capital Partners, LLC.
Emerging Companies
Virtual Therapeutics Corporation
Represented Virtual Therapeutics Corporation in its Series A financing.
Door To Door Storage, Inc. Financing
Represented Door To Door Storage in a Series B preferred stock financing.
Escapia, Inc. Financing
Represented Escapia in a preferred stock financing.
Meteor Solutions, Inc. Financing
Represented Meteor Solutions (f.k.a. Fyreball) in a Series A preferred stock financing.
Wishpot, Inc.
Represented Wishpot, Inc. in its preferred stock financing.
nuun & Company, Inc. Preferred Stock Financing
Represented nuun & Company, Inc., a manufacturer of electrolyte replacement and hydration beverage products, in a preferred stock financing.
nuun & Company, Inc. Convertible Note Financing
Represented nuun & Company, Inc. in its Convertible Note Financing.
Motiga, Inc. Preferred Stock Issuance
Represented Motiga, Inc. in its issuance of Series A Preferred Stock.
Venture Capital
Series A Investment for private equity fund
Represented private equity fund/limited partnership on series A stock purchase agreement. Negotiated financing term sheet, series A stock purchase agreement, investors rights agreement, voting agreement, contribution agreement, invention agreement and employment agreement. Supervised due diligence process.
Investment in Venture Fund Spinoff
Represented venture capital fund and limited partnership on series B investment in software development company creating user interfaces with cross-device and platform functionality. Negotiated term sheet, voting agreement, stock purchase agreement, warrants, software acknowledgement letter, proprietary inventions agreement, investors rights agreement, escrow agreement and legal opinion.