Friends,In last month’s newsletter, we highlighted how software as a service (SaaS) and defense technology are pulling ahead heading into 2026, as capital concentrates around enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, federal spending priorities, and sectors delivering near‑term return on
Louis Lehot
Louis Lehot is a legal professional associated with Foley & Lardner LLP, a law firm that publishes content focused on corporate governance, capital markets, and emerging legal issues. The publications often cover topics such as board evaluations, IPO readiness, SPAC transactions, venture capital trends, and the impact of artificial intelligence on legal and business landscapes. The content is aimed at CFOs, finance leaders, general counsels, private equity partners, and board members, providing insights into regulatory compliance, strategic planning, and market dynamics. The discussions emphasize practical guidance for navigating complex capital market shifts, corporate governance challenges, and technology-driven changes in the legal environment.
Latest from Louis Lehot - Page 4
Q1 2026: A Record Quarter, a Compressed Market, and a Window That Won’t Stay Open
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Q1 2026 broke every VC record. Crunchbase reports $300 billion deployed globally, a 150% jump year-over-year, nearly 70% of all VC deployed in all of 2025.
- AI captured 80% of venture dollars. $242 billion went to AI startups. Four
…
Business & Legal Developments | March 2026
Friends,In last month’s newsletter, we highlighted how startup‑on‑startup mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is accelerating heading into 2026, driven by artificial intelligence (AI)‑fueled competition, tighter fundraising conditions, and a rising initial public offering (IPO) bar that is pushing founders to…
Leading the Capital Conversation: Inside Today’s Funding Strategies for CFOs
Well, Christina Bui of Robert Half has done it again! For the third year in a row, she’s put together a 🌠 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿-𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹 that includes Louis Lehot of Foley & Lardner LLP, Eric Benhamou of BGV, Avneet Kaur…
2026 IPO Market Outlook: Momentum, Deregulation, and the Path to Liquidity
By Louis LehotKey Takeaways
- Several key factors influenced the IPO market in 2025, including policy-aligned sectors and valuation resets, and these dynamics are expected to remain important throughout 2026.
- Companies in AI, space tech, crypto, fintech, and defense dominated the IPO
…
Business & Legal Developments | February 2026
Friends,In last month’s newsletter, we highlighted how private equity accelerated exits amid rising liquidity pressure and how venture-backed startups leaned into record levels of founder-led mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to compete in an artificial intelligence (AI)‑intensified market. Both trends…
Crypto Asset Strategy for Corporate Legal Leaders: What CLOs and GCs Should Know and Do in 2026
The digital asset revolution is no longer a distant possibility. It’s here, reshaping the way companies manage money and transact globally, interacting with customers and vendors. Until now, legal departments could afford to wait and see as the regulatory environment…
Louis Lehot Co-Authors 2026 M&A Technology Playbook
Foley & Lardner LLP partner Louis Lehot co-authored The Legal Intelligencer article, “State of Tech M&A: A 2026 Playbook for Founders Who Want to Win,” providing a practical guide for founders of emerging companies considering mergers and acquisitions.Lehot…
From Ritual to Results: Turning Board Reviews Into Action
(January 08, 2026) — Louis Lehot and Kelly S. Boyd of Foley & Lardner LLP discuss how to turn board evaluations from a compliance exercise into a system for self-correction, strategic alignment and improved performance, moving beyond process to achieve outcomes.Boards today…
Business & Legal Developments | January 2026
Friends,In last month’s newsletter, we examined how strong venture capital (VC) momentum and artificial intelligence’s (AI) dominance collided with extended liquidity timelines to reshape exit strategies. While funding and deal activity surged, delayed initial public offering (IPO) windows fueled…