Corporate & Business Law · European Union
Build Your Startup on a Solid Legal Foundation
Founders lose time, money and equity to legal problems that could have been avoided at the start — a poorly drafted shareholder agreement, the wrong company structure, or a funding term you didn’t fully understand. We match you, free of charge, with a startup lawyer who works with founders across Europe, from incorporation to your first funding round.
- Founders, teams & early-stage companies
- Incorporation, contracts & funding
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
Every decision you make early on compounds — good or bad
A startup lawyer helps founders navigate the legal decisions that shape a company from its very first day — choosing the right structure, drafting founder and shareholder agreements, protecting intellectual property, and structuring employment and equity arrangements. Whether you’re two co-founders working from a co-working space or a funded team hiring across borders, the legal choices you make early tend to compound: a share structure set up in a hurry, a contract signed without review, or a trademark never registered can all become expensive problems later. Startups rarely need a lawyer for every step, but they almost always need one at the specific moments when a decision is hard to reverse and the cost of getting it wrong is highest.
Why founders get stuck
Startups rarely fail on the idea.
They get tangled in the paperwork.
The legal groundwork you skip at the beginning is usually the thing that costs the most to fix once the business is moving.
Choosing the wrong structure
Picking a company form without thinking through tax, liability and future fundraising can force a costly restructuring later. A lawyer helps you weigh the options — sole trader, limited company, branch or subsidiary — against where you actually plan to grow.
Founder agreements left to the last minute
Disagreements over equity, roles and decision-making are among the most common causes of early founder splits. A clear founders’ agreement and shareholder agreement, drafted before the business takes off, protects everyone and keeps the company moving.
Signing contracts you haven’t fully reviewed
Customer, supplier and investor contracts are rarely standard, and a single unfavourable clause can limit your growth or expose you to liability. A startup lawyer reads the fine print and negotiates terms that match your actual risk.
What you get
A startup lawyer who thinks like a founder
We only match you with lawyers who work with early-stage and growing companies regularly, not generalists learning on your case.
Right structure from day one
Your lawyer recommends the company form, jurisdiction and share structure that fit your business plan, tax position and funding ambitions — so you don’t have to restructure later when the stakes are far higher.
Founder & investor agreements
From founders’ agreements and vesting schedules to term sheets and shareholder agreements, you get documents that record who owns what, who decides what, and what happens if someone leaves.
Contract review & drafting
Customer contracts, supplier terms, NDAs and employment agreements reviewed line by line and tailored to your business, so you sign with confidence and know exactly what you’re committing to.
IP & data protection
Trademarks, domain names, copyright and data protection handled early, so the brand and code you’re building stay yours and you avoid disputes and penalties further down the line.
Coverage
Startup lawyers across Europe
Company law, tax and data protection are set nationally, so the right lawyer is one who works in the country where you’re incorporating or hiring. We match founders across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Startup law — common questions
What legal structure should my startup choose?
It depends on your location, team, tax position and funding plans — options include a limited liability company, branch or subsidiary, each with different costs and obligations. A lawyer will recommend the structure that fits your goals rather than a one-size-fits-all answer, since the rules vary by country.
When should a startup first hire a lawyer?
Ideally at the first important decision — choosing a structure, taking on a co-founder, signing a first major customer, or raising money. These moments are hard to reverse, and a short review early is typically far cheaper than fixing a problem later.
What is a founders’ agreement and why do I need one?
It’s a written agreement between co-founders covering the equity split, roles, decision-making, IP ownership and what happens if someone leaves. Without one, disputes over these points are common and can stall or sink an early company.
Do I need a lawyer to raise investment?
A lawyer is not strictly required for every round, but term sheets, shareholder agreements and convertible notes contain legal and tax detail that is easy to get wrong. Professional review helps you understand what you’re signing and negotiate fair terms.
How do I protect my startup’s intellectual property?
Register trademarks and domain names early, use clear assignment clauses so IP created by founders and contractors belongs to the company, and keep confidential information under NDAs. The exact steps vary by country, so a lawyer will tailor them to your case.
Can a lawyer help with hiring across borders in Europe?
Yes. Employment rules, contractor classification and social security obligations differ by country, and getting them wrong can be costly. A lawyer familiar with cross-border hiring will guide you on compliant contracts and local requirements.
Free case review
Don’t let legal shortcuts define your startup’s future
Tell us where you’re building and what stage you’re at, and we’ll connect you with a startup lawyer who works with founders like you every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.