Startups Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on startups for uk businesses.
What Does Share Capital Mean?
If you’re running a limited company (or thinking about setting one up), you’ll quickly run into the term “share capital.” It sounds technical, but understanding what share capital means will help you...
9 November 2025
Company Director: Meaning, Duties and Practical Steps in the UK
If you’ve set up (or are about to set up) a limited company in the UK, you’ll quickly come across the term “director.” But what does “director of a company” actually mean...
9 November 2025
Australia Company Register: Search ASIC Registry & Set Up
If you’re trading with Australian suppliers, signing a distribution deal, or exploring expansion into the Australian market, you’ll quickly hear people talk about the “Australia company register.” In practical terms, this means...
9 November 2025
Company Valuation Formula: How To Calculate It
If you’re a founder or small business owner, you’ll eventually need a clear, defensible number for the value of your company - whether you’re raising capital, granting options, buying back shares, or...
9 November 2025
Breach Of Contract Remedies In The UK
Contracts are the glue that holds your business relationships together. But even with the best intentions, deals go wrong - a supplier misses a delivery, a client refuses to pay, or a...
9 November 2025
Are Preference Shares Debt Or Equity?
If you’re exploring investment options for your company, preference shares can look like a neat middle ground between ordinary shares and a bank loan. But here’s the tricky part most founders ask...
9 November 2025
How To Value A Company In The UK
Whether you’re raising capital, buying out a co-founder, issuing options to staff, or planning an exit, getting the valuation of a company right is essential. A well-supported valuation can unlock growth and...
8 November 2025
Lease Term Meaning: How Long Should a Commercial Lease Be in the UK?
Signing a commercial lease is a big moment for any small business. It often locks in your rent, location and operating costs for years-so the “lease term” you choose will shape your...
8 November 2025
How To Handle A Company Director Resignation In The UK
When a director tells you they want to step down, it can feel like a lot to juggle at once - legal filings, board decisions, bank mandates, client communications and, often, tricky...
8 November 2025
TM vs ®: What’s The Difference In The UK?
If you’re building a brand, you’ve probably seen the TM and ® symbols everywhere and wondered which one you should use, and when. It’s a small detail - but getting it wrong...
8 November 2025
Reward-Based Crowdfunding in the UK: Legal Essentials
Reward-based crowdfunding can be a brilliant way for UK small businesses to raise funds, validate demand and grow a community around a product - without giving away equity. But it isn’t a...
8 November 2025
Utility Patents in the UK: Do They Exist and the Alternatives
If you’ve been researching how to protect your product or tech idea, you’ve probably come across the term “utility patent.” It’s a popular phrase online - but here’s the catch: “utility patent”...
8 November 2025
Loan Notes Meaning In The UK
Thinking about raising money for your company and keep hearing the term “loan notes”? You’re not alone. Loan notes are a popular, flexible way for UK small businesses to bring in funding...
8 November 2025
Director’s Personal Guarantee: What To Know Before You Sign
If you’re financing your business, negotiating a new lease, or setting up supplier credit, there’s a good chance you’ll be asked for a director’s personal guarantee at some point. It’s a common...
8 November 2025
How To Trademark Your Business Name in the UK
Your business name is often the first thing customers see, search and remember. If you’re building a brand you’re proud of, it’s worth protecting - and in the UK, the way to...
8 November 2025
UK Consultancy Agreement Template: What To Include And Avoid
Bringing in a consultant can be a smart way to access specialist skills without hiring permanent staff. But before any work starts, you’ll want a clear, legally robust consultancy agreement in place...
8 November 2025
Companies House Changes: What You Need To Do In 2024–2025
Companies House is in the middle of its biggest shake-up in decades. If you run a limited company, you’ll be seeing new rules, new statements to file, and stricter checks on the...
8 November 2025
How To Register A Brand Name In The UK
Your brand name is one of your most valuable business assets. It’s how customers find you, remember you and recommend you. If you’re building a new venture or rebranding, getting brand name...
8 November 2025
Private Equity vs Venture Capital: What’s the Difference?
Thinking about raising investment to grow? Two terms you’ll hear a lot are “private equity” and “venture capital”. They both involve investors buying into your company – but they work very differently,...
8 November 2025
Patent Renewals in the UK: Deadlines, Fees and Process
If you’ve invested time and money into a patent, keeping it in force is just as important as getting it granted. Patent renewals are how you maintain your monopoly rights year after...
8 November 2025
What Is Promissory Estoppel in the UK?
If you’ve ever told a customer or supplier “don’t worry about that for now” or agreed to “put a term on hold” to help the relationship, you’ve already brushed up against promissory...
7 November 2025
Trading Name Meaning: What 'Trading As' Means in UK Law
Plenty of small businesses operate under a name that’s different from their legal name. You might be a company called “Smith & Co Limited” but trade as “Smith Interiors”, or a sole...
7 November 2025
Bridge Funding In The UK: Legal Essentials
Cash flow gaps happen to great businesses. Maybe your next equity round is still a few months away, a major customer is slow to pay, or you’ve found the perfect opportunity and...
7 November 2025
Limited vs Ltd: What's the Difference in the UK?
If you’re forming a company in the UK, you’ll quickly bump into the “limited vs ltd” question. Do you write “Limited” in full or use “Ltd” in your company name? Does it...
7 November 2025
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