Start-ups (Early-Stage Companies)
Building a start-up has two sides: the product and the people. The third is the paperwork
that holds the first two together. Our role is to make that part simple and clear. We assist
with incorporation and allocation of shareholdings, draft founders’ agreements, organize employee motivation schemes (options), ensure that creative work and code belong to the company, create clear client and user terms and privacy solutions. When it is time to raise capital, we explain the options and negotiate with investors so that today’s deal does not hinder tomorrow’s growth. Finally, we establish supervisory board rules and assist with exits (sale of shares or sale of the company). We speak in plain language, point out what matters, and formalize everything correctly.
Contact us
If you want to launch your start-up securely, contact us. We prepare a concise action plan, explain complex issues in simple language, and formalize documents so that you can focus on what truly matters – the product and growth. We respond on working days at the first opportunity.
We will respond on the first available working day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1
Incorporation, Shareholdings and Founders’ Agreements
We select the appropriate legal form (private limited company or public limited company),
establish the articles of association, and define shareholdings and voting rights. A founders’
agreement records roles, decision-making procedures, work contributions, and rules for
situations where someone leaves (so-called good leaver / bad leaver). We ensure that all
created work and code belong to the company – this is one of the first issues reviewed in
later funding rounds.
What we typically do:
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incorporation documents and articles of association
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founders’ agreements (roles, decision-making, exit rules)
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shareholding table (“cap table”)
2
Employee Incentives: Options and Vesting
To retain key people, they are often given the opportunity to acquire a stake in the company
in the future at a favorable price – this is known as an option program (ESOP). We
define when the right arises (vesting, for example four years with a one-year cliff), what
happens upon departure, and how taxation and accounting are handled.
What we typically do:
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framework for option programs and simple contract templates
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vesting schedules and acceleration in the event of a sale or investment
3
Protection of Creative Works and Trademarks (IP)
Code, design, texts, and data models must belong to the company, not to the individual
creator. We conclude intellectual property transfer agreements with employees and
subcontractors and conduct trademark searches and registrations to avoid unpleasant
surprises later.
What we typically do:
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transfer of intellectual property rights with employees and partners (IP ownership)
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trademark searches and registration in Estonia and the EU