Guidance
Our knowledge, distilled.
Every step of the way, startups have a lot to think about. We help ease that burden by considering all the angles and providing clients with clear, forward-looking advice. We know just how quickly the startup landscape can change, so we proactively outline emerging issues and provide actionable recommendations for managing the challenges and opportunities those developments present.
Articles
Who’s Actually in Charge Here?: The Real Difference Between Shareholders, Directors and Officers (and Why It Matters to Founders)
Understanding the roles of shareholders, directors and officers isn’t just a corporate formality—it’s how you protect control, avoid legal missteps, and run your company like a pro. Here's the breakdown every founder should know.
ASAs vs. SAFEs vs. Convertible Loan Notes: A Primer for Founders and Investors
Both startups with an international presence (or an international plan) and investors scouring the globe for investment opportunities should understand the key differences between the U.S. and the UK’s most common instruments for a startup’s first round of capital or bridging instruments.
Are SAFEs Dangerous?
SAFEs can be a powerful fundraising tool—but they also carry real risks to existing equity holders. For founders, the danger lies not in the document itself, but in misunderstanding its terms and consequences.
How to Split Equity Between Co-Founders (and Stay Friends)
Founders often delay conversations about equity because they are uncomfortable or assume things will “work themselves out.” However, equity is not just a legal formality. It is a blueprint that defines how ownership, control and accountability are structured within the company.
Mark Zuckerberg Got Founder’s Stock—Should I?
Legally speaking, “founder’s stock” is just common stock issued early—typically at a nominal price and usually subject to vesting. But what people usually mean when they refer to “founder’s stock” is something more: equity with enhanced control features that let founders maintain decision-making authority even after raising outside money or going public.
The Future of Corporate Venture Capital: Evolving from Strategic Tourist to Long-Term Partner
Today’s leading CVC teams aren’t simply deploying capital to hedge against disruption. They’re building long-term capabilities that integrate innovation into the core of the enterprise.