Startups Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on startups for uk businesses.
UK Promissory Note Template: Key Clauses for Startup & SME Loans
If you’re lending money to (or borrowing money through) your startup or small business, it’s tempting to keep things informal. After all, you probably trust the other party, and you just want...
1 February 2026
How To Patent An Idea In The UK: Step-By-Step Guide
You’ve built something new (or you’re close), and you can see real commercial potential. Maybe it’s a product, a piece of technology, a manufacturing process, or a clever “how we do it”...
1 February 2026
What Is A Co-Founder Exit Strategy And Why Do I Need One? (2026 Updated)
Starting a business with a co-founder can be one of the best decisions you'll ever make. You move faster, share the workload, and (hopefully) balance each other's strengths. But there's one topic...
1 February 2026Implied Contracts: What They Are And How They Affect Your Business
When you’re running a small business, it’s easy to think a contract only exists when something has been signed. But in UK law, that’s not quite how it works. You can end...
1 February 2026
Contract Signing In The UK: A Practical Guide For Startups
You’ve negotiated the deal, agreed the commercials, and everyone’s keen to get it signed. Then the practical questions start: who can sign, does it need a witness, can you sign by email,...
1 February 2026
Differences Between An Online Store & Marketplace Model (2026 Updated)
If you're building an ecommerce business in 2026, one of the biggest "fork in the road" decisions is whether you're running an online store or a marketplace . They can look similar...
1 February 2026
Social Responsibility in Business: What It Means for UK SMEs and Startups
If you’re running a small business or building a startup, you’ve probably felt the pressure to “do the right thing” - for customers, staff, suppliers, and your wider community. That’s where social...
31 January 2026
Angel Investors: What UK Startups Should Know Before Raising Funding
If you’re building a startup, you’ve probably heard founders talk about “getting an angel” as a big milestone. But the meaning of angel investors isn’t just “someone who gives you money”. Angel...
31 January 2026
UK Startup Funding Round Legal Checklist: Key Documents & Terms
Getting ready for a funding round is exciting - and a little intense. You’ve got pitch decks flying around, investor calls stacking up, and probably a product roadmap you’re still trying to...
31 January 2026
How To Start An Online Subscription Business: Legal Tips (2026 Updated)
Online subscriptions can be a brilliant way to build predictable, recurring revenue - whether you're selling a monthly product box, access to a digital platform, premium content, or ongoing services. But the...
31 January 2026
Phantom Share Option Plans - 6 Things You Need To Know (2026 Updated)
If you're trying to attract (and keep) great people in 2026, you've probably heard the same advice a hundred times: "Offer equity." But what if you're not ready to give away real...
31 January 2026Limited Liability Companies: Meaning, Benefits And Key Legal Considerations
If you’re starting (or scaling) a business in the UK, you’ve probably come across the term limited liability company - especially if you’ve been researching online. Here’s the thing: in the UK,...
31 January 2026
Contract Risk Management: Reducing Legal Exposure In Commercial Contracts
If you run a small business, contracts aren’t just paperwork - they’re one of the main ways you protect your cashflow, your reputation, and your time. But here’s the tricky part: most...
31 January 2026
Health and Safety Policy Statement: UK Requirements and Key Inclusions
If you’re running a small business, health and safety can feel like one of those “I’ll deal with it later” tasks - right up until something goes wrong. A clear health and...
31 January 2026
EIS Shares Explained: What Startups Need To Know Before Issuing Equity
If you’re raising investment for your startup or SME, you’ve probably heard investors ask one question early: “Will my investment qualify for EIS?” EIS (the Enterprise Investment Scheme) can be a big...
31 January 2026
Privacy Policy Example: What UK Small Businesses Must Include
If you run a small business in the UK, chances are you’re handling personal data every day - even if it doesn’t feel like it. Maybe you’ve got a simple “contact us”...
31 January 2026UK Micro Company: Meaning, Eligibility Criteria And Legal Obligations
If you’re running a lean operation with a small team, modest turnover and straightforward finances, you might have heard the term “micro company” (or “micro-entity”) and wondered whether it applies to you....
31 January 2026
Starting A Healthcare Business In The UK: Legal Requirements, Contracts And Compliance
Starting a healthcare business can be an exciting way to make a real impact in your community - whether you’re opening a private clinic, launching a digital health platform, or providing in-home...
30 January 2026M&A Solicitors: What They Do, When You Need One, And Costs
If you’re running a UK startup or SME, “M&A” can feel like a world that only applies to huge corporations. But in practice, business sales and acquisitions happen at every size. You...
30 January 2026Are Verbal Contracts Legally Binding For Businesses In The UK?
You’ve probably been there: you’re on a call with a supplier, a freelancer, or a customer, and you agree the price, the deadline, and what’s included. Everyone’s happy, you shake on it...
30 January 2026
Advantages Of Franchising: Key Benefits For UK Businesses
If you’re weighing up whether to start a business from scratch or buy into an existing model, franchising can sometimes look like a “safer” option. In many cases it can reduce some...
30 January 2026M&A Due Diligence in the UK: A Practical Guide
If you’re buying a business, selling your company, or taking on investment that looks a lot like an acquisition, due diligence is the part that can make (or break) the deal. In...
30 January 2026Called-Up Share Capital: Meaning, How It Works, And Why It Matters In The UK
If you run a UK limited company, you’ve probably seen the phrase “called-up share capital” on your company accounts, Companies House filings, or when speaking to an accountant or investor. It sounds...
30 January 2026Disadvantages Of Venture Capital: Hidden Risks For Startups And SMEs
Venture capital can look like the “fast track” option when you’re trying to scale a startup or ambitious SME in the UK. A big cash injection, a well-known fund on your cap...
29 January 2026
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