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The initial stages of launching a start-up are littered with challenges, and entrepreneurs will encounter a number of growing pains along the way, whether that be keeping your culture alive whilst needing to grow quickly, retaining and incentivising staff and recruiting with the increasing demand of millennials, or ensuring work/life balance and managing founder guilt. But perseverance can conjure the ultimate rewards and prove life-changing for entrepreneurs and start-ups.

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What are the legal challenges for start-ups?

From initial concept to potential sale or IPO, start-ups need to consider a vast landscape of legal advice, including:

  • Fundraising advice, whether that be for series A, B, C
  • Terms and conditions
  • Commercial contracts and partnership agreements
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Employment agreements
  • Intellectual Property protection / IP Healthcheck
  • Data protection
  • Share schemes

What is CMS equIP?

Starting, and building, a successful business takes a good idea, a lot of energy and determination plus the right opportunities and the right people. Start-ups also need the right legal partner that can advise them as they grow and evolve. The CMS equIP programme works with start-ups in the technology sector to support growth.

How can equIP help your start-up?  

  • A full service law firm with a strong focus on technology, media and telecoms and life sciences 
  • Working with some of the biggest names in tech as well as up and coming disruptors
  • Well networked in the industry through clients and partners
  • The only global law firm that can offer you extensive IP support through a strong international team of more than 300 IP lawyers, patent and trade mark attorneys

CMS equIP members have access to:

  • Industry-focused legal advice across all areas of law at special discounted rates from a legal partner with experience of working with entrepreneurial companies of all sizes at every stage of growth
  • Exclusive training and networking events where equIP members can meet other start-ups and relevant contacts to share knowledge and extend their network 
  • A menu of fixed fee services – transparent legal services specifically designed for technology start-up needs
  • Introductions to relevant industry players
  • The regional resources in China, Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as beyond in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America through our global equIP programme. 

Apply to become part of equIP

To find out more please complete the form in the link below.

Join CMS equIP programme