Startups

WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU AS YOUR STARTUP LAWYER

From business formation, contract drafting, investment negotiations, and investment procurement, startups should have an experienced business lawyer by their side to fulfill their legal needs. Investing in the services of a business lawyer will help mitigate risk to your enterprise and help set your business up for success. As a startup, you will face many initial legal questions or issues, and having an experienced business lawyer by your side will afford you the opportunity to focus on the growth and management of your company rather than the legal obstacles face along the way. Below you will find further information regarding the legal services we offer to startups.

ENTITY FORMATION AND BUSINESS STRUCTURING

The legal entity you choose for the formation of your startup is an important decision that will set the foundation for your company. In choosing the ideal business entity for a startup, our business law team looks at the founders’ business and personal goals and makes recommendations accordingly. If you choose to incorporate your business, we will conduct the necessary name searches, draft the articles of incorporation, prepare the minute book, and issue shares to the founders as necessary. Alternatively, you may decide that a sole proprietorship or partnership is the right business vehicle for your startup. Our goal when helping you choose a business vehicle for your startup is to choose a business entity that is most advantageous from a tax, liability, and business perspective. Choosing the wrong business entity can have ramifications such as unnecessary initial or maintenance costs as well as negative tax and liability consequences.

COMMERCIAL CONTRACT DRAFTING, REVIEW, AND MANAGEMENT

In the early stages of a startup, it may be necessary to draft several commercial contracts to mitigate legal risks arising from future conflicts between shareholders or with vendors, consumers, or competitors. Our business law team is highly skilled at negotiating commercial contract terms and we are meticulous when drafting clauses and reviewing commercial contracts across various industries. Below you will find a list of some of the commercial contracts that we can draft, review, or negotiate for your startup:

• Asset Purchase Agreements
• Commercial Leases
• Confidentiality Agreements
• Dealership Agreements
• Disclaimers
• Distribution Agreements
• Employment Agreements
• Franchise Agreements
• Franchise Disclosure Documents
• Independent Contractor Agreements
• Intellectual Property Agreements
• Joint Venture Agreements
• Licencing Agreements
• Loan and Equity Agreements
• Management Agreements
• Non-Disclosure Agreements
• Non-Solicitation and Non-Compete Agreements
• Partnership Agreements
• Powers of Attorney
• Privacy Policies
• Project Management Contracts
• Promissory Notes
• Research and Development Agreements
• Service Agreements
• Settlement Agreements
• Share Purchase Agreements
• Shareholder Agreements
• Software Development Agreement
• Subscription Agreements
• Unanimous Shareholder Agreements
• User Agreements
• Workplace Policies
• Vesting Agreements

CORPORATE FINANCING

During its initial operations, a startup may be able to support its operations by obtaining financial investments from its founders. Unless the founders have the financial means to support the continued operation and growth of the startup, they must obtain funding from other sources. It may be necessary that the startup will have to borrow funds from a lender (i.e. debt financing) or attract investment by issuing shares to outside investors (i.e. equity financing). If your startup is at a stage where you need to secure funding either through debt or equity financing, we can represent your startup and protect your interest throughout the transaction.

ONGOING LEGAL SUPPORT AND ADVICE

Our business law team will provide ongoing legal consulting and support to startups at the various stages of their business development. In order to become your trusted advisor, our business law team puts significant effort into staying up to date with changes in federal and Ontario legislation, the economy, and developments in the business world. The world of business and law is very complex, and we can help your business mitigate legal risk and stay in compliance with relevant federal and Ontario legislation.

WHEN SHOULD A STARTUP HIRE A BUSINESS LAWYER?

If you have a startup, you should consider hiring an experienced business lawyer for your enterprise as early as possible. This can help mitigate risk to your enterprise by avoiding lengthy future disputes or litigation. When looking to hire a business lawyer, you should look for a lawyer with diverse experience in business law that has the necessary network to help your enterprise grow. Prior to choosing a law firm, we invite you to read our article How to Choose a Law Firm in the client resources section of our website.

If you are looking for an experienced business law firm to represent your startup company, contact us today to book an initial consultation.

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