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

Dormant Company In The UK: Meaning, Setup And Compliance
Pressing pause on your limited company can be a smart move if you’re not actively trading right now. Maybe you’re between projects, waiting on funding, or simply not ready to wind up....

How To Start A B2B Business In The UK: Legal Checklist
If you sell products or services to other businesses rather than direct to consumers, you’re running a B2B (business-to-business) venture. The opportunity can be huge: higher order values, long-term contracts and repeat...

Director And Shareholder In A Private Limited Company In The UK
When you run a private limited company, you’ll quickly hear two roles mentioned again and again: director and shareholder. They’re both critical – but they’re not the same. Understanding how these roles...

Sample Letter Of Intent (LOI) Template In The UK: What To Include
If you’re negotiating a deal - buying a business, onboarding a key supplier, partnering with another company, or lining up investment - a clear Letter of Intent (LOI) keeps everyone on the...

What Is A Registered Design In The UK?
If you’ve invested time and money into how your product looks, you’ll want to protect that investment. That’s where registered designs come in. In the UK, a registered design can give your...
GDPR Consequences: What Happens If You Get It Wrong and How To Fix It
If your business handles customer data - from email addresses to payment details - the UK GDPR applies to you. Most small businesses aren’t trying to misuse data, but even well-meaning teams...

Joint Venture Contracts: What You Need To Know
Looking to team up with another business to win bigger projects, enter a new market or share resources? A joint venture (JV) can be a smart, flexible way to collaborate without merging...

Shareholder Funds: What They Are And Why They Matter
If you run a limited company, you’ll see a line on your balance sheet called “Shareholder Funds” (sometimes shown as “Capital and Reserves” or “Equity”). But what exactly is it, why does...

Is A Partnership Limited Or Unlimited In The UK?
If you’re considering going into business with someone else, the word “partnership” will come up quickly. But one of the first questions to get straight is this: is a partnership limited or...

What Are Commitment Letters?
If you’re raising finance or closing an investment, there’s a good chance a lender or investor will ask you to sign a commitment letter. It can look straightforward at first glance -...

How Long Should You Keep Records In The UK?
Good record keeping isn’t just admin - it’s essential to running a compliant, confident business in the UK. From tax and VAT to HR files and customer data, different laws set different...

Dissolution Notice Meaning In The UK: What To Do Next
If a “dissolution notice” has popped up on your radar, don’t panic. In the UK, this term can mean a few different things depending on your business structure and the context. Understanding...

Key Clauses in UK Distribution Contracts
Partnering with a distributor can supercharge your growth - fast access to new customers, local market know‑how, and boots on the ground without hiring a full sales team. But there’s a catch:...

How To Run A European Trade Mark Search
If you’re planning to sell into the EU or work with EU distributors, protecting your brand in Europe is just as important as safeguarding it at home. A smart first step is...

Fiduciary Duties In The UK Explained
If you run a limited company, partnership or fast-growing startup in the UK, you’ll hear the word “fiduciary” sooner or later. It sounds technical, but it boils down to this: certain people...

What Is TM? ™, ® And UK Trade Marks Explained
If you’re building a brand in the UK, you’ll quickly run into the little “TM” symbol. But what is a TM in practice, and how does it protect your business? In short,...

How IP Finance Works in the UK
If your business is built on a brand, software, content, designs or data, then a big part of your value is intangible - your intellectual property (IP). The good news is that...

How to Change a Business Name in the UK
Thinking about rebranding or tweaking your name to better fit where your business is headed? Good idea - your name is a big part of your brand story and market positioning. The...

Due Diligence On Suppliers: What To Check
Choosing the right supplier can make or break your business. Prices, quality and lead times matter - but so does legal risk. Doing due diligence on suppliers isn’t just a tick-box exercise....

Shadow Equity in the UK: Reward Talent Without Giving Away Shares
If you want to attract and retain great people but you’re not ready to hand out actual shares, shadow equity can be a smart middle ground. It lets you mirror the value...

Distribution Rights In The UK: What You Need To Know
Getting your product into the hands of more customers often means partnering with distributors. The catch? The way you grant and manage distribution rights can make or break your margins, growth plans...

Company Secretary And Companies House: Duties And Filings
If you’re running a private limited company in the UK, Companies House filings and corporate governance can feel like a lot to juggle alongside day-to-day operations. That’s exactly where a company secretary...

Special Notice to Remove a Director in the UK
Needing to remove a director isn’t a scenario any small company plans for - but it happens. Whether there’s a breakdown in trust, persistent underperformance, or a strategic change, UK law gives...

Side Letter Template (UK): What To Include And Why
Need to tweak a commercial contract without reopening the whole deal? A well-drafted side letter can be a fast, discreet way to clarify terms, add practical arrangements or record concessions between the...
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