Startups Articles

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

Defamation Of Business In The UK

Defamation Of Business In The UK

If someone posts damaging lies about your business, it can feel personal and it can quickly hurt sales, partnerships and staff morale. The good news is that UK law gives businesses clear...

6 December 2025
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LP Venture Capital: How VC Funds Are Backed And Why It Matters

LP Venture Capital: How VC Funds Are Backed And Why It Matters

If you’re raising investment from a venture capital fund in the UK, you’ll quickly hear people talk about “LPs.” LP stands for limited partners - the institutions and high net worth investors...

6 December 2025
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Board Minutes Template UK: Essential Inclusions For Small Companies

Board Minutes Template UK: Essential Inclusions For Small Companies

Running a company means making decisions - and recording them properly. That’s where board meeting minutes come in. If you’re a small UK company, a clear, compliant board minutes template will save...

6 December 2025
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Free Legal Documents in the UK: What’s Safe and What to Avoid

Free Legal Documents in the UK: What’s Safe and What to Avoid

When you’re building a small business, it’s tempting to grab free legal documents you find online and tick “legals” off the list. We get it - cash is tight, and you want...

6 December 2025
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Director Conflicts Of Interest In The UK

Director Conflicts Of Interest In The UK

If you run a small company, it’s completely normal for your directors to wear multiple hats. A founder might also be a shareholder, a paid consultant, or even have another business on...

6 December 2025
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Disadvantages Of An LLP In The UK: What To Consider Before Choosing

Disadvantages Of An LLP In The UK: What To Consider Before Choosing

Picking the right business structure is one of those early decisions that can make life much easier - or much harder - as you grow. If you’re tossing up a Limited Liability...

6 December 2025
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GP In Private Equity: What SMEs Should Know Before Investment

GP In Private Equity: What SMEs Should Know Before Investment

Thinking about partnering with a private equity fund to accelerate growth? It can be a powerful move for UK SMEs - more capital, specialist support and a clear route to scale. But...

5 December 2025
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How To Find Your Articles Of Association

How To Find Your Articles Of Association

If you’re running a limited company in the UK, your Articles of Association are the rulebook for how your business operates. They set out how directors are appointed, how shares are issued...

5 December 2025
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Hurdle Shares in the UK: How They Work and How to Set Them Up

Hurdle Shares in the UK: How They Work and How to Set Them Up

Looking to reward key people for growing your company without giving away equity for free? Hurdle shares could be a smart, tax‑efficient way to align incentives with genuine value creation. In this...

5 December 2025
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What Is A De Facto Director In The UK?

What Is A De Facto Director In The UK?

If you run a small company, it’s common for trusted advisers, senior managers or founders’ spouses to get heavily involved in decisions. But here’s a risk many businesses miss: if someone behaves...

5 December 2025
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Good Faith In English Law: How To Draft And Manage Contracts

Good Faith In English Law: How To Draft And Manage Contracts

If you’ve heard people say “act in good faith” and wondered what that actually means for your contracts, you’re not alone. Unlike some other legal systems, English law doesn’t have a sweeping,...

5 December 2025
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What Constitutes A Contract?

What Constitutes A Contract?

Contracts underpin almost everything you do in business - from taking orders and hiring staff, to signing up suppliers and landing your biggest customer. But what actually constitutes a contract under UK...

5 December 2025
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Breach Of Directors’ Duties In The UK

Breach Of Directors’ Duties In The UK

When you run a small company, your directors sit at the heart of every key decision. That’s great when things go to plan - but if a director slips up, a breach...

5 December 2025
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Are Verbal Contracts Legally Binding In The UK?

Are Verbal Contracts Legally Binding In The UK?

Verbal deals still happen every day in business - a quick phone call, a handshake after a meeting, or a “yes, go ahead” on Zoom. But if there’s a dispute later, can...

5 December 2025
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How To Start A Design Business In The UK: Legal Setup & Contracts

How To Start A Design Business In The UK: Legal Setup & Contracts

Whether you’re focused on graphic design, brand identity, UX/UI, packaging or digital content, a design business can be a rewarding way to turn your creative skills into a sustainable venture. The market...

5 December 2025
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What Is a Sole Trader in the UK?

What Is a Sole Trader in the UK?

Thinking about launching a new venture and wondering whether you should register as a sole trader? You’re not alone. For many UK small businesses, “sole trader” is the most straightforward way to...

5 December 2025
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Gifting Shares To Employees In The UK: What Employers Should Know

Gifting Shares To Employees In The UK: What Employers Should Know

Thinking about gifting shares to employees to reward loyalty or build a true ownership culture? It’s a powerful way to align your team’s interests with your long-term vision. But because shares are...

4 December 2025
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Company Investors: Legal Essentials

Company Investors: Legal Essentials

Securing company investors can transform your growth plans from “someday” to “this year.” Whether you’re opening your first location, building a new product, or scaling operations, outside capital can accelerate your journey....

4 December 2025
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Becoming A Company Director In The UK: What You Need To Know

Becoming A Company Director In The UK: What You Need To Know

Thinking about becoming a company director in your small business, or appointing someone new to your board? It’s an exciting step - but it also comes with serious legal duties and practical...

4 December 2025
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How To Purchase a Company in the UK: Legal Steps, Risks and Documents

How To Purchase a Company in the UK: Legal Steps, Risks and Documents

Buying an existing company can be a smart way to grow. You get customers, a brand, systems and staff from day one - without starting from scratch. But the legal side matters....

4 December 2025
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How Does a Holding Company Work?

How Does a Holding Company Work?

Thinking about setting up a holding company for your growing business? You’re not alone. Many UK founders reach a point where they want to protect key assets, separate risk and plan for...

4 December 2025
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Understanding Registered Trade Marks In The UK

Understanding Registered Trade Marks In The UK

Your brand is one of your most valuable assets. Your name, logo, tagline and even product packaging are often what customers recognise first - and what competitors may try to copy if...

3 December 2025
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Small Business Partnership Agreement In The UK: What Founders Need

Small Business Partnership Agreement In The UK: What Founders Need

Going into business with a co‑founder can be exciting - you’re sharing the workload, combining skills and moving faster together. But without a clear small business partnership agreement, even great partnerships can...

3 December 2025
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Is An LLP A Company?

Is An LLP A Company?

If you’re weighing up business structures, you’ll quickly bump into the question: is a limited liability partnership (LLP) a company? It’s a great question, because the answer shapes how you’re taxed, who’s...

3 December 2025
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