Jackson Walker served as legal advisor to Consensus, an AI-powered search engine for academic research, in its $11.5 million Series A funding round led by Union Square Ventures.
Consensus is an early-stage company that aims to make searching for and consuming scientific research papers easier and more accessible. The company has grown to over 400,000 monthly active users and $1.5 million in annualized revenue since launching its search engine in the winter of 2022. The Series A funding will enable Consensus to expand its team and enhance its product offering.
Mike Laussade led the Jackson Walker team including Nathan Smithson, Brandon Flowers, and Shayan Gaziani. The team advised Consensus on all aspects of the deal, including corporate, tax, and securities matters. The transaction closed on July 23, 2024.
For more information, view the Consensus news release and articles by Bloomberg, PYMNTS, Medium, and AIM Research.
Meet Our Team
Mike Laussade leads the firm’s Venture Capital and Emerging Companies practice, and routinely counsels early-stage companies in connection with capital raising, M&A transactions, and general business concerns. Mike also represents venture funds and family offices in connection with early-stage investments. Mike’s investment fund practice includes the representation of private funds in all aspects of fund formation, regulatory compliance, and capital raising, as well as in a wide range of M&A and venture capital transactions.
Nathan Smithson is a partner in the Tax practice and provides federal income tax planning for corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. He specializes in executive and incentive compensation, tax structuring, and compliance for various business entities. He also has experience in advising clients on oil and gas taxation, renewable energy, and qualified small business stock. He is recognized as a Best Lawyer in Tax Law.
Brandon Flowers is an associate in the Corporate & Securities practice and focuses on general corporate matters, venture capital transactions, and mergers and acquisitions. He also has experience in advising clients on blockchain and digital assets, artificial intelligence, and entertainment law matters. He is recognized as a Best Lawyer: One to Watch in Corporate Law.
Shayan Gaziani is an attorney in the Corporate & Securities section and assists clients in various corporate transactions, including merger and acquisition transactions, startup counseling, and conducting public and private offerings. He also works closely with the Entertainment, Digital & Sports Group and handles matters focused on transactional entertainment law.
Meet JW
Since Jackson Walker’s founding in 1887, our attorneys have represented some of the most influential companies and business leaders in the world. With more than 500 attorneys across six offices, we are the largest Texas firm and have been recognized in the prestigious Chambers USA Guide for Corporate/M&A in Texas for providing counsel on highly complex transactions ranging from millions to billions. To explore Jackson Walker’s experience counseling companies around the world through their entire lifecycle, visit our Corporate & Securities and Venture Capital & Emerging Companies pages.
