Get legal support for a founder share sale that sits alongside investment into the company

The difficulty is usually not the transfer mechanics alone, but the fact that the sale is happening alongside a live investment process. Investors may have views on founder liquidity, existing documents may restrict transfers, and the company may need approvals or waivers before the sale can proceed as intended. The founder sale also needs to sit comfortably with the wider round timetable and paperwork. That is why this service goes beyond a single document and looks at how the sale fits into the broader transaction, rather than treating it as a simple standalone transfer.

It is commonly used by founders who plan to sell some of their own shares as part of a fundraising, whether to realise limited liquidity, accommodate investor interest or tidy up ownership as the round progresses. It can also suit companies helping coordinate the legal steps around that founder sale. It is generally most useful where the commercial direction is broadly agreed but the legal documents, approvals and sequencing still need to be worked through. Highly contested transactions or open-ended negotiations are usually better treated as separate, more extensive matters.

The key issues often include whether the founder can sell under the articles or shareholder arrangements, whether pre-emption rights or consent rights are triggered, what warranties should be given, how disclosure should be handled, and whether the sale terms align with the wider investment documents. Timing can also be critical if the secondary sale is meant to complete alongside the primary raise. A founder may think the deal is straightforward because the buyer and price are agreed, but the existing company documents can still create friction late in the process if they are not checked early.

Yes, and that is often where this service is most useful. Existing investment documents may contain transfer restrictions, pre-emption rights, drag or tag provisions, consent requirements or other controls that affect whether a founder can sell and on what terms. A secondary sale that ignores those rights can stall when the parties are already trying to close the round. We review the existing position and shape the founder sale paperwork around those constraints, while keeping the focus on the founder sale support listed on this page rather than ongoing transaction management.

The fixed-fee covers the scoping call, review of the proposed structure, drafting or updating the main share sale agreement, advice on likely consent requirements, and support on related warranty or disclosure points within the founder sale. It is broader than a document-only service because we also consider how the sale interacts with the funding round. It does not include tax advice, open-ended negotiations with multiple parties, or ongoing representation after the agreed work is complete. If the deal expands, we can quote separately for the additional legal work.

Working with us is simple. Start by submitting an enquiry through our website using the form at the top of this page or on our Get Started page. A legal project manager will review your enquiry within 1 business day and reach out to understand your needs.

They'll send you a fixed fee quote outlining costs, scope, and timing. If you're happy, you can accept and sign our engagement letter online. Once that's done, we'll connect you with an expert lawyer who will complete your project via email, phone, or video chat, with the timing confirmed in your quote.

If you're not looking for help with a specific matter, explore our platform, which offers free templates, tools to get your business set up, and even a free tier to get started. Whether you need legal support or just want to browse resources, we've got you covered.

At Sprintlaw, our pricing is transparent and designed for startups and small businesses. Many one-off legal services, including document drafting and reviews, are provided for a fixed fee with an upfront quote before you proceed.

Prices typically range from £100 to £1,500 depending on the complexity and scope of the work. For ongoing support, Sprintlaw Memberships include options such as legal templates, consultations, a legal helpline and credits for services.

If your project is larger or more complex, we will provide a tailored quote after understanding what you need.

Sprintlaw UK operates fully virtually, with the team working online across the UK to provide support to startups and small businesses nationwide. Many of our team are based in London and often meet at co-working offices, but our operations remain fully digital, ensuring flexibility and efficiency for both our clients and team.