COVID-19 and the novel corona virus pandemic has disrupted daily life as we know it and caused the U.S. and world economies to free fall into a massive downward spiral.

A distinguished panel of venture capitalists will discuss how this global crisis has affected the Silicon Valley and global startup ecosystem in general and funding for startups in particular — and what to expect going forward.

Please come with your questions and comments.

About the Panelists:

Ephraim Lindenbaum, Managing Director, Advance Ventures

Ephraim Lindenbaum is the founder and managing director of Advance Ventures, a Silicon Valley ­based venture investment fund and venture accelerator that invests in seed and early­ stage start­ups. Founded in 1999, Advance Ventures has consistently achieved meaningful exits with its portfolio companies across its core market sectors.

Nuno Goncalves Pedro, Venture Partner, Grishin Robotics Venture Capital / Managing Partner, Strive Capital

Nuno Goncalves Pedro is a venture partner with Grishin Robotics Venture Capital, a Sand Hill Road venture capital firm focused on smart hardware investments. He is also the founder and managing partner of Strive Capital, a quantitative early-stage venture capital fund focused on early-stage consumer mobile and deep software (artificial intelligence and blockchain). At the same time, Nuno has served and continues serving as a board member for various start-ups and non-profits in the US, Europe and Asia.

Joe Jasin, Managing Director, DNA Partners

Joe Jasin is Managing Director of DNA Partners, LLC, an early stage venture capital investment firm. DNA invests in digital media value chain technology companies based in the U.S. and China. Joe spends about 20 to 30 percent of his time in China. Joe has over 20 years of experience in a career that spans globally in the mobile/wireless and digital media industries, having establishing a robust cross border presence in the U.S. and throughout Asia.

About the Moderator:

Roger Royse, Haynes and Boone, LLP

Roger Royse is a partner in the Palo Alto office of Haynes and Boone, LLP and practices in the areas of corporate and securities law, domestic and international tax, mergers and acquisitions, and fund formation. He works with companies ranging from newly formed tech startups to publicly traded multinationals in a variety of industries. Roger has been an instructor or professor of legal, tax and business topics for the Center for International Studies (Salzburg, Austria), Golden Gate University School of Law and Stanford Continuing Studies and is a frequent speaker, writer, radio guest, blogger and panelist for bar associations, CPA organizations, and business groups. Roger is a Northern California Super Lawyer, is AV Peer-Rated by Martindale Hubbell, and has a “Superb” rating from Avvo..

Roger is the author of Dead on Arrival: How to Avoid the Legal Mistakes That Could Kill Your Startup and has been interviewed and quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fox Business, Chicago Tribune, Associated Press, Tax Notes, Inc. Magazine, Nikkei Asian Review, China Daily, San Francisco Chronicle, Reuters, The Recorder, 7X7, Business Insurance and Fast Company.