Merritt & Merritt & Moulton

Merritt & Merritt & Moulton Client, Champlain Valley CrossFit, Opens Facility in Williston

Linda Dissinger — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:17:06 +0000

Merritt & Merritt & Moulton congratulates its client Green Mountain Strength & Conditioning, Inc. d/b/a Champlain Valley Cross Fit on the opening of its facility at 11 Adams Drive in Williston, Vermont. The company was founded by Jade Jenny, a graduate of Champlain College with a degree in Business. Jade drafted a business plan, obtained the necessary CrossFit instructor certifications and raised the necessary capital to open the facility. Champlain Valley CrossFit offers group classes geared to functional fitness as well custom exercise and nutritional education. Jade can be reached at jade.dietrich.jenny@gmail.com.

Vermont Flight Academy Awarded FAA Air Agency Certification

Linda Dissinger — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:23:31 +0000

Merritt & Merritt & Moulton congratulates its client, Vermont Flight Academy, based at Burlington International Airport, on the award of FAA Air Agency Certification as a 14 CFR 141 Flight School, becoming the only FAA approved Part 141 Flight School in Vermont, one of only three in New England. Vermont Flight Academy is a member of the Vermont Aerospace and Aviation Association which is administered by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about the Vermont Flight Academy contact Douglas Smith at vtflightacademy@aol.com.

Sustainable Agriculture in Vermont

Linda Dissinger — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:14:03 +0000

Yesterday, the spectacular lakefront setting of the Shelburne Farms Coach Barn was the setting for the 14^th Annual Forum of the Vermont Fresh Network. Marian Burros, noted cookbook author and food columnist for The New York Times was the keynote speaker facilitated by Jeff Roberts, President of Slow Food Vermont and author of the Atlas of American Artisan Cheese. Senator Patrick Leahy was an invited guest and spoke about the National Organic Food Production Act which was passed in 1990 as well as the recent farm to school food legislation.

Attendees sampled cheese from Vermont’s artisan producers and dishes from Vermont’s leading restaurants who are members of the Vermont Fresh Network. Sustainable agriculture is alive and well in Vermont!

Successful Closing of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Financing

Linda Dissinger — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:28:10 +0000

Merritt & Merritt & Moulton congratulates its client, Orange Mountain, Inc. d/b/a True Body Products and its President and CEO Janice Shade, on the successful closing of its Series B Convertible Preferred Stock financing led by Boston-based LaunchCapital LLC. Other investors included Vermont Seed Capital Fund, L.P., managed by the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies, Inc. and numerous angel investors. True Body Products formulated True Body Soap, an all-natural unscented soap, which it markets throughout the United States. The Company received its initial financing in 2009 after presenting at the Vermont Investors’ Forum which was held in October 2008.

A.M.E. acquires Armistead Caregiver Services

Linda Dissinger — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:34:42 +0000

Armistead, Inc. d/b/a Armistead Caregiver Services, a Shelburne, Vermont based senior-care provider with offices serving Vermont and New Hampshire has been acquired by A.M.E., LLC of Burlington, VT . The business will continue to operate in Shelburne and service Vermont and New Hampshire. The seller was represented by its general counsel, Merritt & Merritt & Moulton, who assisted in negotiating, structuring and closing this acquisition transaction. A significant portion of Merritt & Merritt & Moulton’s practice involves merger, acquisition and divestiture transaction for buyers and sellers throughout New England.

Accredited Angel Investors Defined

Linda Dissinger — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:44:15 +0000

Angel investors breathed a sigh of relief with the final language regarding accredited investors in H.R. 4173 that was hammered out by the conference committee. The House has passed the bill and the Senate is expected to pass it. Section 412 now defines the required net worth to be an accredited investor as more than $1,000,000 excluding primary residence for individuals and spouse. The SEC may adjust this monetary threshold but not during the four-year period after the date of enactment. Thus the only change from the original definition adopted in 1974 is excluding the principal residence rather than including it. Earlier proposals had significantly raised the monetary threshold which would have negatively affected angel investment.

Drew’s Acquired by Gertrude Hawk Chocolates

Linda Dissinger — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:18:11 +0000

96 Degrees, Inc. d/b/a Drew’s, based in Chester, Vermont, was acquired by Gertrude Hawk Chocolates. The purchase price was not disclosed. Drew’s was founded in 1995 by Chef Drew Starkweather and employs 30 people at its production facility in Chester. Drew’s is one of the largest and fastest growing brands of natural dressings/marinades and organic salsas.

U.S. Supreme Court upholds Bilski ruling

Linda Dissinger — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:43:18 +0000

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously upheld the U.S. Patent and Trademark ruling that severely limits the use of patents to protect abstract business processes utilized in software applications.

June Vermont Venture Network Meeting

Linda Dissinger — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:29:50 +0000

June VVN Update

Lisa Lorimer, co-author with Margo Fraser of Birkenstock fame, of Dealing with the Tough Stuff, was the featured speaker at the June meeting of the Vermont Venture Network. Lisa gave a fascinating presentation on her 23-year tenure as CEO and President of Vermont Bread Company, based in Brattleboro, Vermont. Lisa sold Vermont Bread in 2005 to Charterhouse Group, a leading middle-market private equity firm. Lisa has worked with Charterhouse to establish its Charter Baking unit using Vermont Bread Company as a platform for other acquisitions, including Adams Baking Corporation and Rudi’s Organic Baking.

Ken Merritt Report from Slow Money Alliance National Gathering

Linda Dissinger — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:58:56 +0000

Starting with an eTown taping at the Flynn at which Will Raap was presented with the E-chievment Award, the Slow Money Alliance attracted over 600 people who attended the Gathering which was held at Shelburne Farms, one of the most spectacular agricultural estates on the planet. Highlights included keynoters Bill McKibben speaking on Climate Change, panels on new investment models, and presentations by 26 agricultural and food entrepreneurs. Slow Money introduced its new Executive Director, Ari Derfel. Stay tuned for further developments.