Legal Masterclass: From Negotiation to Notarization
In this Impact Funding Session, FASE and CMS unpack the legal realities of early-stage fundraising. Together with Dr. Martin Eichholz (Counsel at CMS), we will discuss the key documents, negotiation dynamics, and legal processes founders should understand before signing investor agreements and entering the closing process.
This session will provide practical guidance on legal best practices for early-stage funding rounds, including:
Understanding the term sheet: key clauses & common pitfalls
Investment and shareholder agreements: what you’re signing and why it matters
Preparing for the notary appointment: process, requirements, tips
Negotiation tips from practice for more confidence when talking to investors
This session is designed to create space for practical exchange and open questions. Bring your specific challenges, questions and topics to the discussion, and we will address as many as possible during the Q&A at the end.
Why join? As investor conversations become more concrete, fundraising quickly shifts from pitch discussions to legal and strategic decision-making. Founders are expected to navigate term sheets, assess negotiation dynamics and understand the implications of legal agreements, often under significant time pressure. Having a solid understanding of the legal foundations early in the process can help founders approach negotiations with more clarity, confidence and strategic awareness.
About FASE & CMS
FASE is Europe’s leading impact finance advisor, specializing in corporate finance and investment advisory for impact ventures, managed accounts, and impact funds. Since 2013, it has facilitated 110+ transactions, mobilizing over €110 million through a network of 2,300+ impact investors. As co- initiator of the European Social Innovation and Impact Fund (ESIIF), FASE pioneers financing solutions for large-scale impact.
CMS is an international law firm with a global footprint and also Germany’s largest law firm. In Germany it has offices in Berlin, Hamburg, Leipzig, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich. Aside from covering all matters of business law, the firm has a particular venture capital focus and is consistently ranked tier 1 in this area of law.