Startups Articles

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

What Is A Stock Transfer Form?

What Is A Stock Transfer Form?

If you’re running a UK limited company, sooner or later someone will ask to buy shares, sell shares, gift shares, or bring in a new investor. That’s when you’ll usually come across...

3 March 2026
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Who Owns Software IP And How To Protect Your Code

Who Owns Software IP And How To Protect Your Code

If your business relies on software (an app, a website platform, an internal tool, or even a set of scripts that automate your operations), the intellectual property in that software can quickly...

3 March 2026
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Shell Companies: Definition, Legitimate Uses and Legal Risks for UK Businesses

Shell Companies: Definition, Legitimate Uses and Legal Risks for UK Businesses

If you’ve ever googled what is a shell company, you’ve probably seen the term used in two very different ways. On the one hand, a shell company can be a perfectly legitimate...

3 March 2026
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B Corp Certification Cost in the UK: Fees, Legal Requirements & Key Factors

B Corp Certification Cost in the UK: Fees, Legal Requirements & Key Factors

Thinking about becoming B Corp certified in the UK is exciting - it can help you show customers, partners and investors that your business is genuinely committed to doing business responsibly. But...

2 March 2026
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Wrongful Trading: What UK Company Directors Need To Know

Wrongful Trading: What UK Company Directors Need To Know

If you run a limited company, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the phrase “wrongful trading” in the context of business distress or insolvency. It can sound dramatic (and it is serious),...

2 March 2026
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When Is A Contract Legally Binding In The UK?

When Is A Contract Legally Binding In The UK?

As a small business owner, it’s normal to want one clear moment where you can say: “Great - the contract is signed, we’re protected, let’s get started.” In practice, it can be...

2 March 2026
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What Is a Written Resolution?

What Is a Written Resolution?

If you run a UK company, you’ll eventually need to make formal decisions as a board or as shareholders. Sometimes that decision can’t wait for the next meeting (or you simply don’t...

2 March 2026
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What Happens When a Company Is Struck Off (And How to Reinstate It)

What Happens When a Company Is Struck Off (And How to Reinstate It)

If you’ve just discovered your company has been “struck off” (or you’ve received a warning letter from Companies House), it can feel like everything has suddenly gone into freefall. But don’t panic....

2 March 2026
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Lease Documents Explained: What UK SMEs Should Know Before Signing

Lease Documents Explained: What UK SMEs Should Know Before Signing

Signing a new premises lease can feel like a “big milestone” moment for your business - new location, new footfall, a space you can finally make your own. But the legal paperwork...

2 March 2026
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TM vs ®: What’s the Difference Between Trademark Symbols in the UK?

TM vs ®: What’s the Difference Between Trademark Symbols in the UK?

If you’re building a brand, you’ll probably see the TM symbol and the ® symbol everywhere - on product packaging, websites, apps, and social media bios. It’s completely normal to wonder what...

2 March 2026
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Open Banking Regulations In The UK: A Practical Guide For Startups & SMEs

Open Banking Regulations In The UK: A Practical Guide For Startups & SMEs

Open banking can be a game-changer for startups and SMEs - whether you’re building a fintech product, improving your invoicing and cashflow tools, or embedding pay-by-bank functionality into your checkout. But if...

2 March 2026
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Novation Agreement Template (UK): Key Clauses And When You Need One

Novation Agreement Template (UK): Key Clauses And When You Need One

If you’re running a small business, there’ll be times when a contract needs to “move” from one party to another. Maybe you’ve sold part of your business, restructured your group, or you...

2 March 2026
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Patent Advice for UK Startups and SMEs on Protecting Your Invention on a Budget

Patent Advice for UK Startups and SMEs on Protecting Your Invention on a Budget

If you’ve built something genuinely new - a product, a mechanism, a process, or a piece of tech - you’ve probably had the same two thoughts: “We need to protect this before...

1 March 2026
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How To Trademark Your Name In the UK

How To Trademark Your Name In the UK

If you’re building a business around your brand, your name can quickly become one of your most valuable assets. That’s why so many founders ask the same question early on: “Can I...

1 March 2026
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Startup Attorney In the UK: When To Hire One And What They Do

Startup Attorney In the UK: When To Hire One And What They Do

When you’re building a startup, it’s easy to treat legal as something you’ll handle later - once the product is ready, the customers are coming in, and you’ve got time to breathe....

1 March 2026
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How To Work Out Share Value For UK Startups And SMEs

How To Work Out Share Value For UK Startups And SMEs

If you run a UK startup or SME, “share value” can feel like one of those topics you’re supposed to understand, but no one really explains in plain English. And yet, you’ll...

1 March 2026
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How Much Does It Cost To Dissolve A Limited Company In The UK?

How Much Does It Cost To Dissolve A Limited Company In The UK?

Closing a limited company is one of those admin-heavy business tasks that can feel intimidating - especially when you’re already juggling customers, cashflow and day-to-day operations. One of the first questions most...

1 March 2026
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Legal Checklist For Opening A Gym In The UK

Legal Checklist For Opening A Gym In The UK

Opening a gym can be an exciting move for a startup or small business - you’re building a community, creating recurring revenue, and (hopefully) helping people feel healthier. But when you’re opening...

1 March 2026
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UK Director Fiduciary Duties: What Directors Must Do and Avoid

UK Director Fiduciary Duties: What Directors Must Do and Avoid

If you run a small company in the UK, being a “director” isn’t just a title on Companies House or a line in your email signature. It comes with legal responsibilities that...

1 March 2026
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Joint Venture Agreement: What UK Businesses Should Include Before Partnering Up

Joint Venture Agreement: What UK Businesses Should Include Before Partnering Up

Teaming up with another business can be a smart way to grow faster, share costs, and win work you couldn’t realistically take on alone. But a joint venture can also go sideways...

1 March 2026
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Intellectual Property Strategy For UK Startups And SMEs

Intellectual Property Strategy For UK Startups And SMEs

If you’re building a startup or growing an SME, your “stuff” isn’t just what you can touch and hold. A lot of your real value sits in things like your brand name,...

28 February 2026
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A Guide To Share Subscription Agreements (2026 Updated)

A Guide To Share Subscription Agreements (2026 Updated)

If you're raising money for your UK startup or growing business, a share subscription agreement can feel like one of those "big legal moments" that turns your idea into a real investable...

28 February 2026
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Starling Bank And Crypto: UK Banking And Compliance For Startups And SMEs

Starling Bank And Crypto: UK Banking And Compliance For Startups And SMEs

If you run a startup or SME in the UK and you’re working anywhere near crypto (whether that’s accepting it, building with it, or providing services to crypto businesses), your banking setup...

28 February 2026
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How To Set Up A Care Home In The UK: Legal Requirements And Key Contracts

How To Set Up A Care Home In The UK: Legal Requirements And Key Contracts

If you’re researching how to set up a care home, you’re probably already aware this isn’t like starting a typical service business. You’re providing care to some of the most vulnerable people...

28 February 2026
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