Startups Articles

Expert articles and practical legal guides on startups for uk businesses.

Appointing A Company Secretary: Companies House Requirements

Appointing A Company Secretary: Companies House Requirements

When you’re running a small business, the “admin” side of company compliance can feel like it keeps expanding as fast as your to-do list. One question that often comes up (especially when...

12 March 2026
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Influencer Contract In the UK: Key Clauses For Brands And Startups

Influencer Contract In the UK: Key Clauses For Brands And Startups

Influencer marketing can be one of the fastest ways for a small business to build trust and reach new customers. But if you’re putting budget into creators (even “just a few gifted...

12 March 2026
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Equity Crowdfunding In The UK: Legal Requirements For Startups

Equity Crowdfunding In The UK: Legal Requirements For Startups

Equity crowdfunding can be an exciting way to fund your startup while building a community of supporters around your brand. But if you’re searching for “equity crowdfunding in the UK” because you’re...

12 March 2026
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How To Start A Coffee Shop Business In The UK: Legal Steps And Contracts

How To Start A Coffee Shop Business In The UK: Legal Steps And Contracts

Starting a coffee shop business is an exciting move - you’re creating a space people genuinely want to visit, whether it’s for a quick takeaway flat white or a proper sit-down brunch....

12 March 2026
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Public Company: Meaning And Whether Your Limited Company Qualifies

Public Company: Meaning And Whether Your Limited Company Qualifies

If you run a limited company (or you’re about to set one up), you’ve probably come across the term “public company” and wondered whether it applies to you. It’s an easy mix-up...

12 March 2026
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Are Oral Contracts Legally Binding In The UK?

Are Oral Contracts Legally Binding In The UK?

You’ve probably done it before: agreed a price with a supplier over the phone, confirmed a delivery date in a quick chat, or shaken hands on a new piece of work when...

11 March 2026
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When Non-Binding Agreements Become Legally Binding In The UK

When Non-Binding Agreements Become Legally Binding In The UK

When you’re moving fast in business, it’s normal to want something “in writing” before you invest time, money, or resources. That’s where non-binding agreements often come in. They can help you get...

11 March 2026
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What Is An Advisory Board? Roles, Benefits And Legal Considerations

What Is An Advisory Board? Roles, Benefits And Legal Considerations

If you’re building a startup (or a fast-growing small business), you’ll eventually hit a point where you need more than hustle and gut instinct. You need sharper strategic input, better networks, and...

11 March 2026
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How To Value A Startup In The UK

How To Value A Startup In The UK

If you’re raising investment, issuing shares to a co-founder, or even thinking about selling your business one day, you’ll almost certainly run into the same question: how to value a startup ....

11 March 2026
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Minority Shareholders’ Rights In The UK: Key Protections For Founders

Minority Shareholders’ Rights In The UK: Key Protections For Founders

If you’ve built a company with co-founders, friends, family investors, or angel backing, chances are someone is holding a smaller slice of the pie. That’s where minority shareholders come in. Whether you...

11 March 2026
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How To Raise Business Capital In The UK: Legal Options And Key Risks

How To Raise Business Capital In The UK: Legal Options And Key Risks

When you’re trying to grow (or even just stabilise) your business, money matters. Whether you’re funding your first product run, hiring your first employee, or scaling into a new market, you’ll eventually...

11 March 2026
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Class 9 Trademark: What It Covers And How To Register In The UK

Class 9 Trademark: What It Covers And How To Register In The UK

If your business sells (or builds) tech products, software, or electronic equipment, getting your trade mark right can be one of the smartest “from day one” legal moves you make. One of...

11 March 2026
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UK Share Register: Requirements And Compliance Steps

UK Share Register: Requirements And Compliance Steps

If you run a UK company with shareholders, your share register (also called the register of members ) is one of those “easy to ignore until it becomes urgent” compliance tasks. Maybe...

11 March 2026
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IP Assignment Agreement: Key Clauses UK Startups And SMEs Need

IP Assignment Agreement: Key Clauses UK Startups And SMEs Need

If you’re building a startup or growing an SME, chances are your most valuable assets won’t be your desks, laptops, or even your stock. They’ll be the ideas and outputs your business...

10 March 2026
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Disadvantages Of Being A Sole Trader In The UK: Legal And Business Risks

Disadvantages Of Being A Sole Trader In The UK: Legal And Business Risks

Starting a business as a sole trader can feel like the simplest option in the UK. There’s less admin, fewer formalities, and you can get going quickly. But once you’re trading (especially...

10 March 2026
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How To Register a UK Trade Mark and Protect Your Brand

How To Register a UK Trade Mark and Protect Your Brand

You’ve put time (and money) into choosing your business name, designing a logo, and building a reputation. The last thing you want is someone else copying your brand, confusing your customers, or...

10 March 2026
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Debt vs Equity Financing: Which Is Best for Your Business?

Debt vs Equity Financing: Which Is Best for Your Business?

When you’re growing a small business, it’s normal to reach a point where your cash flow can’t (and shouldn’t) carry everything on its own. Maybe you want to hire your first team...

9 March 2026
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What Is an Electronic Signature in the UK?

What Is an Electronic Signature in the UK?

If you run a small business, speed matters. You want to close deals, onboard clients, and keep projects moving without waiting days for printing, scanning, posting, and chasing signatures. That’s where electronic...

9 March 2026
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Donation-Based Crowdfunding in the UK: Legal Considerations

Donation-Based Crowdfunding in the UK: Legal Considerations

Donation-based crowdfunding can be a brilliant way to validate your idea, build a community and raise funds without giving away equity or taking on debt. But “donations” don’t automatically mean “no legal...

8 March 2026
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Subsidiary Company Examples: How They Work And When To Set One Up

Subsidiary Company Examples: How They Work And When To Set One Up

If you’re growing your business, you’ve probably heard someone mention “setting up a subsidiary” as a way to expand, protect the main business, or separate risk. But what does that actually mean...

8 March 2026
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What Is A Trade Secret? Definition, Examples And UK Protection Laws

What Is A Trade Secret? Definition, Examples And UK Protection Laws

If you run a small business, chances are you already rely on trade secrets more than you realise. It might be the recipe that makes your product taste different, the way you...

8 March 2026
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What Is B Corp Certification in the UK?

What Is B Corp Certification in the UK?

If you’re building a purpose-led small business or startup, you’ve probably noticed that customers, investors, partners and even job candidates are asking tougher questions than ever about sustainability, ethics and impact. That’s...

8 March 2026
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What Is a Company Secretary? Roles, Duties and When You Need One

What Is a Company Secretary? Roles, Duties and When You Need One

If you’re running (or setting up) a limited company, you’ve probably seen the term “company secretary” pop up in incorporation forms, company admin checklists, or conversations with accountants and advisers. So, what...

8 March 2026
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Dispute Resolution Clauses in UK Contracts: What to Include and Why It Matters

Dispute Resolution Clauses in UK Contracts: What to Include and Why It Matters

If you run a small business, disputes are one of those “we’ll deal with it if it happens” issues - until they happen. A late-paying customer, a supplier who delivers the wrong...

8 March 2026
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