Corporate & Business Law · European Union
Structure a Joint Venture That Holds Together When It Matters
Two businesses joining forces can unlock a market, a technology or a project neither could reach alone. But a joint venture that isn’t carefully structured can unravel over control, funding or a shift in strategy. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who structures joint ventures across Europe.
- Structure & vehicle choice
- Governance and funding rules
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Who this is for
Companies collaborating on a project, product or market without merging
A joint venture is an arrangement in which two or more parties combine resources to pursue a specific project, market or objective while remaining separate businesses. It can take many forms: a new company owned jointly, a contractual collaboration, or a looser strategic alliance — each with different implications for liability, tax, control and exit. The right structure depends on what the parties contribute, how they share risk and reward, and how the venture will be governed day to day. Because joint ventures often span borders, they can also raise questions of jurisdiction, regulation and cross-border tax that vary by country. We match you with a corporate lawyer who structures joint ventures regularly and can help you choose the right vehicle and terms for your specific project, wherever the parties are based.
Why joint ventures fail
Most joint ventures don’t collapse over the market.
They collapse over control and unclear terms.
When contributions, decision rights and exit routes aren’t defined up front, the venture becomes harder to run the moment circumstances change.
Unclear control and deadlock
In a venture owned or run jointly, the parties often have different ideas about strategy, spending and hiring. Without defined governance — voting rights, reserved matters, deadlock mechanisms — a single disagreement can stall the whole project.
Unequal contributions, unclear value
One partner may bring capital, another technology, another market access. If those contributions aren’t valued and documented, disputes arise over who deserves what share of the returns, or who should fund the next stage.
No exit route
Circumstances change — one partner wants out, the project pivots, or the relationship sours. Without agreed exit terms, valuation and buy-out rights, a partner can find themselves trapped in a venture they no longer want, or unable to leave without heavy loss.
What you get
A structure designed for the project, not just the launch
We only match you with lawyers who structure and document joint ventures regularly across the jurisdictions involved.
Right vehicle and structure
Your lawyer advises whether a new company, a contractual venture or an alliance best serves your goals, weighing liability, tax and control implications that vary by country and by what each party contributes.
Clear governance and funding
Defined decision-making, board composition, reserved matters and funding obligations, plus mechanisms to resolve deadlock — so the venture can operate smoothly and disagreements have a path to resolution.
Fair contribution and return terms
Contributions of capital, IP, people and market access are valued, documented and matched to agreed shares of profit and risk, preventing the disputes that arise when these are left implicit.
Workable exit provisions
Notice periods, transfer restrictions, pre-emption and buy-out terms agreed in advance, so that when a partner needs to leave or the venture ends, the unwind is orderly rather than contentious.
Coverage
Joint venture lawyers across Europe
Company, tax and regulatory rules for joint ventures are set nationally, so the right lawyer is one who practises in the relevant jurisdictions. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Joint ventures — common questions
What is a joint venture?
It is an arrangement in which two or more parties pool resources to pursue a specific project, product or market while remaining separate businesses. It can be structured as a new jointly owned company, a contractual collaboration, or a strategic alliance, depending on the parties’ goals and the jurisdiction.
What is the difference between a joint venture and a merger?
A merger combines two businesses into one, while a joint venture keeps the parties separate and limits their collaboration to a specific project or objective. A joint venture is often preferred when the collaboration is temporary or scoped, or when the parties want to retain their independence.
How should a joint venture be structured?
The right structure depends on what each party contributes, how risk and reward are shared, tax considerations and the need for limited liability. Options include a jointly owned company, a contractual arrangement or a partnership — a lawyer will advise which best fits your specific project and jurisdictions.
What should a joint venture agreement cover?
Typically it covers each party’s contributions, ownership and profit sharing, governance and decision-making, funding obligations, restrictions on the parties’ other activities, confidentiality and IP ownership, and exit mechanisms such as transfer restrictions and buy-out rights.
How are joint venture disputes resolved?
Most agreements build in escalation steps — negotiation, then mediation or arbitration — before court proceedings. Because the parties often continue to work together or in the same market, a structured resolution route is usually preferable to litigation and helps preserve the venture’s value.
Can a joint venture operate across different countries?
Yes, and cross-border ventures are common, but they raise additional questions of jurisdiction, company law, tax and regulation that vary by country. A lawyer experienced in the relevant jurisdictions can help structure the venture to manage these issues from the outset.
Free case review
Get the structure right before the venture begins
Tell us about your project and the parties involved and we’ll connect you with a joint venture lawyer in the relevant countries — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.