Rich is the leader of Phillips Lytle’s Startups Practice Team. He focuses his practice in corporate, finance and venture capital law, as well as complex mergers and acquisitions and commercial litigation. Rich provides corporate counsel to a broad spectrum of companies – from startup to Fortune 50 – and has lectured extensively, particularly on topics of corporate law, venture capital and entrepreneurship.
Rich has guest lectured at the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University, Albany Law School of Union University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the University at Albany, Ithaca College and Siena College, and has served as an adjunct professor at Union Graduate College (now Clarkson University).
Rich authored the chapter on “Legal Issues Affecting Private Equity and Venture Backed Companies” in Representing Private Equity and Venture Capital Backed Portfolio Companies (Aspatore/Thomson Reuters 2010) and was an Editorial Board Member and a chapter editor of “White’s New York Business Entities” (LexisNexis Matthew Bender), a leading treatise on New York corporate law. He is a former general editor for the LexisNexis Practice Insights (LexisNexis Online) and has written many articles on business and corporate issues for local publications.
Rich has served as a judge and mentor in numerous business plan events throughout New York State, including the New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC) – New York’s premier collegiate regional and statewide business plan competition – 43 North, the New York State High School Business Plan Competition, Venture B Plan and competitions sponsored by FuzeHub, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Communitech (Canada). Rich testified before a Joint Session of the New York State Legislature on behalf of Universities of Upstate New York Venture Forum (UNYTECH) in support of a proposed $25,000,000 seed stage fund for university-based startups. This grew out of his testimony regarding the need for a State-sponsored seed investment fund before the Task Force on Diversifying the New York State Economy through Industry-Higher Education Partnerships. Rich has spoken as a panelist for the New York State Writer’s Institute on “The First Amendment & Free Speech Under Attack” (with Floyd Abrams and others; moderated by Ashleigh Banfield), and is a recurring panelist on “The Roundtable” on WAMC, a local NPR Affiliate. In addition, he has spoken at the annual meetings of the Licensing Executives Society (LES) discussing “Large Company-Small Company Collaborations,” the National Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Conference discussing venture investing, the Vermont Investors’ Forum and the American Ceramics Society.
Judge, Commercialization Competition, The New York State Innovation Summit, October 2024
Panelist, Pre-Presidential Debate Special Roundtable Panel, WAMC, September 2024
Presenter, “Forming and Structuring Your Company Like a Boss,” SUNY Startup Summer School, July 2024
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, May 21, 2024
Moderator, “Venture NY: Upstate Ecosystem Builders,” Upstate Capital of New York podcast, May 2024
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, April 29, 2024
Judge, 2024 New York Business Plan Competition, Upstate Capital Association of New York, April 2024
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, March 21, 2024
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, March 19, 2024
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, February 6, 2024
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, November 21, 2023
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, October 24, 2023
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, October 3, 2023
Speaker, “Start-Up Company Investment Readiness,” CNY Biotech Accelerator, September 2023
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, August 22, 2023
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, July 18, 2023
Presenter, “Forming and Structuring Your Company Like a Boss,” SUNY Startup Summer School, July 2023
Speaker, “Legal Agreements for Gamers,” Level Upstate 2023, RPI, July 2023
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, June 14, 2023
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, May 3, 2023
Judge, 2023 New York Business Plan Competition, Upstate Capital, April 2023
Judge, Panasci Technology Entrepreneurship Competition, University at Buffalo’s Blackstone LaunchPad, March/April 2023
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, March 30, 2023
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, March 22, 2023
Panelist, “Conquering the Investment Challenge,” MedTech 2022, November 2022
Judge, FuzeHub’s 2022 Commercialization Competition, New York State Innovation Summit, October 2022
Panelist, “Concept to Commercialization” and “Funding Sources,” Capital Region BioInnovation Forum, Center for Economic Growth, October 2022
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, September 28, 2022
Panelist, WAMC Roundtable, September 15, 2022
Panelist, The Roundtable, WAMC, July 2022
Speaker, Level Upstate 2022, RPI, July 2022
Speaker, “Forming and Structuring Your Company Like a Boss!”, SUNY Startup Summer School, July 2022
Speaker, IgniteU Summer Accelerator: SME Presentation, June 2022
Speaker, “Startup Funding”, Concept to Commercializations Virtual Series, CNY Biotech Accelerator, Upstate Medical University, June 2022
Presenter, “Protecting Your Ideas,” Science Meets Business Seminar, Office of Biotechnology and Business Development (OBBD), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, June 2022
Judge, New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), Upstate Capital Association of New York, April 2022
Panelist, The Roundtable, WAMC, April 2022
Speaker, “Venture Capital and Early Stage Capitalization,” 2022 MWBE & VOB Accelerator, IgniteU NY, March 2022
Panelist, “The $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Bill,” The Roundtable, WAMC, November 2021
Panelist, “The Supply Chain Action Plan,” The Roundtable, WAMC, November 2021
Judge, FuzeHub Commercialization Competition, New York State Innovation Summit, November 2021
Lecturer, “The Business Idea Factory,” Cornell University, October 2021
Panelist, “The National Reconciliation Bill: Is the U.S. a failed state?,” The Roundtable, WAMC, October 2021
Panelist, “The Innovation Surrounding Renewable Energy,” The Roundtable, WAMC, October 2021
Speaker, “Update 2021,” New York State Bar Association, October 2021
Mentor, Orientation, Albany Law School, August 2021
Speaker, “Forming and Structuring Your Company Like A Boss,” SUNY Startup Summer School, July 2021
Judge, Final Round, New York Business Plan Competition, Upstate Capital, May 2021
Guest Lecturer, “Protecting Your Ideas,” Cornell University, The Business Idea Factory, October 2015, October 2016, October 2017, October 2018, April 2021
Guest Lecturer, “Protecting Your Ideas,” The Business Idea Factory, Cornell University, April 2021
Guest Lecturer, “DPOs and SPACs,” Business Law Survey Class, Albany Law School, March 2021
Mentor, “Pitch Please,” Blackstone Launchpad, UAlbany, March 2021
Mentor, LystenLab: The Gen Z Incubator, LystenNetwork, March 2021
Speaker, “Venture Capital and Technology Insights, and How to Best Scale Your Startup Ideas and Initiatives,” SUNY Schenectady Entrepreneur Class, February 2021
Panelist, VentureB Series, Center for Economic Growth (CEG), February, 2021
Exposium Presentation, Virtual I-Term, Tech Valley High School, February 2021
Judge, Capital Region Clash Invitational Tournament, Albany Law School, January 2021
Speaker, “Ask Me Anything” (Legal Q&A on Startups, VC Funds and Search Funds), Entrepreneurship Club, Columbia Business School, January 2021
Panelist, VentureB Series, Center for Economic Growth (CEG), November 2020
Judge, Virtual Pitch Competition 2020, Blackstone Launchpad, UAlbany, November 2020
Mentor, Spark Tank Competition, Siena College, Stack Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, October 2020
Guest Lecturer, “Law, Technology and the Socratic Method,” Questar III New Visions STEM Program, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, October 2020
Panelist, The Roundtable Panel, WAMC, January, March, April, May, August 2020
Guest Lecturer, “Forming and Structuring Your Company Like a Boss,” SUNY Startup Summer School, The Research Foundation for SUNY, July 2020
Guest Lecturer, “Legal Agreements for Gamers,” Level Upstate Summer Program, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, July 2020
Guest Lecturer, SUNY Startup Summer School, The Research Foundation for SUNY, June 2020
Panelist, “Leading in the Midst of COVID-19,” BizLab-Clarkson Lunchtime Entrepreneurship Series, April 2020
Guest Interview, The Unconventional Path: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Stories and Ideas With Bela and Mike, April 2020
Panelist, “Strategies to Help Entrepreneurs Survive the Pandemic,” The Entrepreneurs Network (TEN) Boot Camp, March 2020
Mentor, Mentor Mingle, Blackstone Launchpad at UAlbany, February 2020
Guest Lecturer, “Financing the Business Transaction: Equity,” Albany Law School, Business Law Survey, February 2020
Panelist, VentureB Series, Center for Economic Growth (CEG), February 2020
Moderator, “Navigating Start-up Capital,” New York State Innovation Summit, October 2019
Speaker, Opportunity Pathways Networking Reception, Albany Law School, August 2019
Guest Speaker, BizLab-Clarkson Lunchtime Entrepreneurship Series, July 2019
Judge, New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), April 2019
Speaker, “The Capital Region’s Startup Landscape: What We’ve Done and What We Still Need to Do,” Albany Roundtable’s Civic Luncheon Series, March 2019
Panelist, “Pathways to the Profession,” Albany Law School Open House, February 2019
Speaker, “Are Lawyers Entrepreneurs?,” The Unconventional Path Podcast, November 2018
Moderator, “Beyond Venture Capital: The Deal Economy,”Albany Business Review State of the Region Breakfast, September 2018
Guest Lecturer, “Legal Considerations for Startups,” Starting Up a New Venture, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, March 2016, March 2017, October 2017, March 2018, October 2018, April 2021
Speaker, “30 Yrs. Educating Upstate NY about Venture Cap & Angel Investing,” Startup Grind Albany, January 2018
Guest Lecturer, “Financing the Business Transaction: Equity,” Albany Law School, Business Law Survey, January 2018
Panelist, The Roundtable Panel, WAMC, January 2018
Judge, Commercialization Competition 2017, FuzeHub, November 2017
Moderator, “How to Raise Investor Capital Panel,” Commercialization Competition 2017, FuzeHub, November 2017
Panelist, “The First Amendment & Free Speech Under Attack,” “Telling the Truth in a Post-Truth World,” New York State Writers Institute Event, October 2017
Speaker, “Welcome Remarks,” StartUp Tech Valley Season 5 Kick-off, September 2017
Guest Lecturer, “The Legal Workshop,” REVEAL Summer Accelerator Program, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, June 2017
Panelist, The Roundtable, WAMC Radio Show, May 2017
Moderator, StartUp Tech Valley Event, April 2017
Moderator, “Growing Businesses Through Acquisition,” UVANY, March 2017
Guest Lecturer, “Legal Considerations for Startups,“ Siena College, Seminar in Entrepreneurship, February 2017
Guest Lecturer, “Financing the Business Transaction: Equity,” Albany Law School, Business Law Survey, February 2017
Guest Lecturer, “Business Formation Best Practices,” Clarkson University, Entrepreneurship, September 2016
Guest Lecturer, “Protecting Your Ideas,” Ithaca College, Entrepreneurial Innovation, August 2016
Presenter, “Founders’ Agreements,” REVEAL Summer Accelerator Program, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, July 2016
Moderator, “Getting Funded,” UVANY Venture Forum, June 2016
Presenter, “Legal Considerations for Startups,” Stocchetti Summer Accelerator Program, June 2016
Panelist, The Roundtable, WAMC Radio Show, May 2016
Guest Speaker, “Technology and the Law,” Questar III New Visions STEM Program, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, May 2016
Guest Lecturer, “The Legal Workshop: Understanding Term Sheets,” Albany Law School, Tech Valley Center of Gravity, March 2016
Speaker, The Legal Workshop: Founders’ Agreements, Albany Law School, March 2016
Speaker, “Negotiating Term Sheets for Equity Financing,” The Entrepreneurs Network (TEN) Growth Strategies & Resources to Execute Boot Camp, October 2015
Speaker, “Understanding the Fundamentals of Licensing in the Context of Raising Capital from the U.S. Perspective,” IP, Trademark & Copyright Workshop, September 2015
Guest Lecturer, “Financing The Transaction: Equity,” Albany Law School, Business Law Survey, September 2015
Guest Lecturer, “Protecting Your Ideas,” Ithaca College, Entrepreneurial Innovation, August 2015
Speaker, NY EXCEL CLEANTECH Program, Skidmore College, August 2015
Speaker, “Good and Bad Economic Indicators,” Northeast Public Radio WAMC, January 2015
Activities & Professional Associations
Present Activities
Albany Business Review, Leadership Trust, Member
Innovate 518, Capital Region Innovation Hot Spot Advisory Committee, Member
WAMC radio, Affiliate on Technology and Venture Capital
Questar III New Visions Program, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Guest Speaker
The Center for Economic Growth, Former General Counsel, Executive Committee Member, and Director
Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce, Former Board Member
Past Activities
FuzeHub, Inc., Manufacturing Innovation Fund Selection Panel, Chair
New York Business Plan Competition, Capital Region, University at Albany – School of Business, Judge, April 2018
IgniteU NY Summer Accelerator, Office Hours, June 2017
RPI Business Model Competition, Judge, April 2017
Union Graduate College (now Clarkson University), Legal Aspects of Business, Adjunct Professor, Fall 2015
Author, “Viewpoint: How Rich Honen Analyzes a Startup’s Potential,” Albany Inno, March 2022
Author, “During Startup Week, Let’s Take Tech Valley to Next Level,” Pulse, LinkedIn, August 2018
Author, “5 Questions To Ask Your Startup Attorney,” 43North, August 2014
Author, “Building Angel Networks in New York State,” Guest Column, New Jobs New York, July 2006
Author, “Lawyers Must Understand How to Close, Not Kill, A Deal,” Albany Business Review, August 2003
Author, “New Law Will Raise The Bar On Bankruptcy,” Albany Business Review, April 2001
Co-Author, “Bank’s Counsel Works Just To Protect The Bank’s Interest,” Albany Business Review, May 2000
Co-Author, “Company Must Know How To Protect Its Intellectual Property,” Albany Business Review, December 1999
Co-Author, “Recent Law Allows for Historic District Tax Breaks,” Albany Business Review, June 1998
Author, “Non-Competes Help Protect Firm’s Information,” Albany Business Review, June 1997
Publications
Chapter Author, “Legal Issues Affecting Private Equity and Venture Backed Companies,” 2010 Inside The Minds® Series, Representing Private Equity and Venture Capital Backed Portfolio Companies (Aspatore/Thomson Reuters), December 2010
Contributing Author, Legal Handbook for Early Stage Business, Albany Law School, The Center for Law & Innovation, October 2009
Editorial Board Member, “White, New York Corporations,” (LexisNexis Matthew Bender), 2006
Editor, “Judicial Dissolution,” Chapter 11 of “White New York Corporations,” (LexisNexis Matthew Bender), 2006
Co-Author, “From Concept to Commercialization: Practical Insights on the Intersection Between Intellectual Property and Corporate Law,” Bright Ideas (a publication of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the New York State Bar Association), Fall 2003
Author, “Venture Capital Investing in Emerging Growth Regions,” Capital Growth Interactive Venture Guide, April 2001
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