Agtech and Foodtech Legal Series
Event summary
Get ready for the conversations that matter with the Agtech and Foodtech Legal Series, our focused webinar program delivering practical legal insights into key corporate, IP, regulatory and partnering issues.
Cooley lawyers at the forefront of agtech and foodtech will lead four hourlong sessions, providing clear, actionable guidance for critical legal decisions. Scheduled ahead of World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit and Future Food-Tech San Francisco – both of which Cooley proudly sponsors – this series will prepare you to step into key meetings ready to discuss what’s next.
For more information, please email Jess Karas.
Sessions
Session 1: From Founding to Funding: Structuring Your Agtech Company for Growth
Thursday, February 19, 2026
9:00 am PT // 10:00 am MT // 11:00 am CT // 12:00 pm ET
A solid corporate structure is the backbone of agtech success. Cooley lawyers Laurie Bauer and Alex Elmore will explain how to choose the right entity type, design an equity structure that scales and build governance that drives growth. They will cover how to align these decisions with funding goals, navigate venture financings, negotiate with investors and address the nuances that make agtech business models distinct.
Session 2: Preparing Your Company for IP Diligence: Building a Defensible, Scalable Portfolio
Thursday, February 26, 2026
9:00 am PT // 10:00 am MT // 11:00 am CT // 12:00 pm ET
Investors and strategic partners examine intellectual property early – and often. Cooley lawyers Chris Holly and Dan Knauss join Mallory Embree, co-founder and chief science officer at Native Microbials, and Hannah Murnen, chief technology officer at Graphyte, for an insightful discussion regarding how founders and technical leaders can craft a defensible, diligence‑ready IP portfolio.
This panel will examine:
- Proven best practices in ownership, invention harvesting, freedom to operate and portfolio strategy.
- Real‑world lessons from scaling science‑driven companies in competitive markets.
- Practical guidance to strengthen your IP position and accelerate growth.
Whether you’re building your first portfolio or refining an existing one, this session will equip innovators with strategies to navigate IP with confidence.
Session 3: Food as a Vehicle for Wellness: Navigating Regulatory Pitfalls for Foodtech Companies
Thursday, March 5, 2026
9:00 am PT // 10:00 am MT // 11:00 am CT // 12:00 pm ET
As food, supplements and therapeutics converge, regulatory compliance becomes a strategic imperative. Led by Cooley lawyers Sonia Nath and Laura Akowuah, this session will explain how US Food and Drug Administration frameworks govern marketing claims for functional foods. Attendees will learn how to position products and craft marketing claims that avoid enforcement risk and unlock opportunities in the evolving wellness space.
Session 4: Partnering With Academia: Structuring Collaborations for Innovation and IP Ownership
Thursday, March 12, 2026
9:00 am PT // 10:00 am MT // 11:00 am CT // 12:00 pm ET
Academic partnerships can be a catalyst for discovery – and a minefield for IP rights. Cooley lawyers Marya Postner and Fred Dorey will share practical strategies for negotiating material transfer agreements, sponsored research deals and licensing structures. Attendees will discover how to balance academic priorities with commercial objectives, maintain freedom to operate and secure downstream exclusivity.
Happy hour reception during Future Food-Tech San Francisco
Keep the conversations going beyond the conference at our happy hour reception on March 19 at 5:00 pm. Join us at Marianne’s at The Cavalier for a relaxed reception bringing together industry leaders to trade insights, spark new relationships and reconnect with the people driving change across the ecosystem.
Space is limited.
Related Contacts
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