Currently, Founder of Dryvrs, a mobile platform for on-demand designated drivers. Licensed attorney with startup law experience. Serial entrepreneur. Background in startup consulting, fundraising and investment advisory on early stage startups.
Serial entrepreneur, angel investment advisor, founder, and startup lawyer. Extensive experience with product development, fundraising, operational development, growth, marketing, and strategic direction. I can provide advice on a wide range of issues related to your startup.
I have experience on both sides of fundraising equation. I have been on the startup side as both a founder and early employee, and on the financing side, and an investment advisor to angel investors. I have recently raised angel funding for my company, and have been involved in the fundraising process for dozens of others from both a consultant perspective and from an external diligence perspective. I can offer advice on what both sides of the equation are looking for and how to find the middle ground.
I'm a licensed attorney in the state of California, with extensive background in the startup community. I have provided legal services related to corporate formation, fundraising, due diligence, business contracts and more. I can help with any legal issues related to your startup.
So long as you're not using any privileged information that was obtained in an illegal manner (i.e. as a former employer) and are not infringing on any of the competing company's intellectual property, there is nothing illegal about improving upon an existing idea.
There may be some nuances to your specific scenario depending on your location, the company etc., but in general, competing with an existing company using public information is absolutely fine. Open competition is a cornerstone of capitalism. In my experience, a large majority of innovative companies have been contemplated by others, but the truth is that turning that idea into a successful company is 10% idea, 90% execution.
If you would like to discuss the facts of your specific situation in more detail, feel free to set up a call.