Startup Cafe: The Practical Startup Legal and Finance Playbook
☕️ Startup Cafe: The Practical Startup Legal and Finance Playbook: What Every Founder Must Get Right Before Raising Capital
Hosted by Gregorio Santiago, Founder of The Consumer CFO
This session features a conversation with Holland and Knight’s venture experts Patrick Driscoll and Chris Rosene. The focus is on the essential legal and financial foundations every founder should understand before scaling or raising capital.
The content is designed for early and growth stage founders who want practical guidance on company structure, documentation, compliance, and investor readiness. They can expect clear takeaways, actionable advice, and real examples from venture clients.
We will cover:
Formation and documentation patterns investors expect
Cleaning up cap tables, SAFEs, and past agreements before fundraising
Cash, contracts, and controls for early growth
Red flags that slow down or stop deals
Agenda
8:45 - 9:30 am • Coffee and Socialize
9:30- 10:30 am • Talk and Presentation
December 10th, 2025
About: Gregorio Santiago
Gregorio is a veteran consumer-brand operator and the founder of The Consumer CFO, a boutique advisory firm specializing in fractional CFO services and data-driven financial strategy for emerging consumer brands.
His background spans video games, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages, where he has founded and scaled companies, managed high-stakes cash cycles, and developed a practical, disciplined approach to financial leadership. At The Consumer CFO, he helps founders build financial clarity, improve unit economics, and operate with confidence.
About: Patrick Driscoll
Patrick Driscoll leads client development for Holland & Knight’s Emerging Companies and Venture Capital practices. He brings nearly a decade of experience in venture capital, startup investing, and business development, including founding an award-winning VC fund supporting LGBTQ+-founded startups in AI, life sciences, sustainability, and legal tech.
Patrick previously served as a vice president at a multinational finance corporation, where he worked with top-tier funds, limited partners, and founders nationwide. He is a frequent speaker and advisor on venture capital and economic inclusion.
About: Chris Rosene
Chris Rosene is a corporate attorney in Holland & Knight’s Century City office, advising startups, growth-stage companies, and investors on entity formations, venture financings, and strategic transactions. Chris has guided hundreds of venture capital deals and helps founders and investors structure agreements and navigate governance and securities matters.
Before joining Holland & Knight, Chris practiced at several nationally recognized law firms and worked at a high-growth e-commerce company, giving him practical insight into the challenges and decisions that drive successful businesses.
ABOUT The KINN
The KINN is a membership network, accelerator, and collaborative workspace for conscious entrepreneurs, based in Venice, CA. Running tailored inner development and business accelerator programs for startups, providing executive coaching, accountability, and access to a top-tier LA-based community of entrepreneurs, creatives, intrapreneurs, and investors. If you're interested in learning more about KINN Membership, please visit http://thekinn.co/apply
About Startup Coil
Networking for innovators to connect with like-minded individuals, startups, and entrepreneurs. startupcoil.com
About Nerds of LA
Join Nerds of LA—where LA’s most innovative minds collide! We’re building the ultimate network by connecting with other powerhouse groups in the area, expanding our reach across the city. If you’re ready to link up with founders, VCs, AI visionaries, and innovators shaping the future, this is the group you’ve been looking for.
Pick your platform and join the conversation with LA’s tech community. 🤝 🦾
Highlights from previous special guests
Building Businesses from the Heart with Lavinia Errico, Co-Founder of Equinox
How to Scale Consciously with Ryan Blair
Founder Mental Health Pledge with Brad Baum
Art Show with Denise Di Novi
Operating Incubators with Reuben Vollmer
Malibu Love Affair with Brigitte Londo
Live Through Love with Ruben Rojas
Finding Stillness with Henry Mitchell
Smarter with Science! with Science Stanley and Zen Zachary
The Science of Charisma: The 7 Secrets of Public Speaking with Richard Greene
Unveiling the Human Experience with Paul Vincent
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KINN member Jeffrey Chernick partnered with Japan’s largest travel site to launch Kabuk.com — a free travel booking platform that offers:
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Through its parent company, Kabuk has direct partnerships with over 4,000 hotels in Japan, offering up to 40% off your stay.
Sign up at Kabuk.com, book your discovery call, and use the code KINN to receive $200 in travel credits if booked by October 31, or $100 thereafter.
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