Insights

New York – July 16, 2024: Crowell & Moring represented itselectric, a Brooklyn-based electric vehicle curbside charging company, in closing a $6.5 million in a seed funding round. The round was led by Failup Ventures and Uber Technologies, with additional participation from Halogen Ventures, The Partnership Fund for NYC, Pulse Fund, Newlab, Gratitude Railroad, Tale VP, Equity Alliance Fund, LACI Impact Fund, and The Helm. This new funding will support itselectric's expansion to seven U.S. cities in 2024, including Boston, Los Angeles, Detroit, Jersey City, and San Francisco, and will help meet the growing demand for convenient and affordable curbside EV charging solutions.With the rapid growth of EV sales in the U.S. and the increasing need for charging infrastructure, itselectric's innovative Level-2 charging posts offer a scalable solution. These chargers connect behind-the-meter to draw spare electrical supply from adjacent buildings, eliminating the need for utility permitting and coordination. This approach allows for zero-cost installation to property owners and cities, while also providing a revenue-sharing model that benefits property owners. Additionally, itselectric's UL-certified detachable cable EV chargers emphasize safety, customer experience, and product quality.New York-based corporate partner Matthew Moisan led the deal with assistance from counsel Justin Lurie and associate Justin Porter.

On October 30, 2023, President Biden released an Executive Order (EO) on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).  This landmark EO seeks to advance the safe and secure development and deployment of AI by implementing a society-wide effort across government, the private sector, academia, and civil society to harness “AI for good,” while mitigating its substantial risks.

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced on August 23, 2023 that they have adopted new rules under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 which call for greater transparency for investors who invest in private funds. While some of these rules will make investing with registered investment advisers clearer, others will make the world of venture capital a bit more challenging.

On June 7, 2023, the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Intellectual Property hosted a hearing titled “Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property – Part I: Patents, Innovation, and Competition.” It’s clear the Judiciary Committee is going to play an active role in the debate on how to regulate artificial intelligence (AI), with many more hearings to come, as this hearing came shortly after the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law held a hearing on “Oversight of A.I.: Rules for Artificial Intelligence.”