Startup Investments Solicitors
Commercial
- Assist with investing into startups.
- Writing a clear and brief agreement to ensure that all parties are secure.
Gurve Legal is a London-based commercial law firm advising both founders raising capital and investors deploying it. Whether you are closing your first seed round or negotiating a Series A term sheet, our startup investment solicitors give you clear, commercial legal advice without the jargon or inflated costs that slow deals down.
Raising investment is one of the most consequential legal processes a founder will go through. Getting the structure wrong, agreeing unfavourable terms, or overlooking due diligence gaps can cost you equity, control, or future funding options. We help you protect what you have built and set the right foundations for growth.
We act for both sides of the table. That means we understand what investors look for and what founders need to protect, giving our clients a genuine strategic advantage in negotiations.
Startup Investment Legal Services
Seed and Early-Stage Funding Rounds
We advise founders through pre-seed, seed, and friends-and-family funding rounds, helping you structure the deal, negotiate terms, and get investment documentation signed off efficiently. We work quickly so funding rounds do not stall on legal formalities.
- Negotiating and reviewing term sheets and heads of terms
- Drafting subscription agreements and investment agreements
- Advising on equity splits and dilution
- Acting for angel investors and syndicates
SEIS and EIS Structuring
The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) offer significant tax advantages to investors and can make your startup considerably more attractive to angels and funds. We advise on eligibility, structuring, and documentation to ensure your raise qualifies.
- SEIS advance assurance applications
- EIS compliance for funding rounds
- Structuring share classes to preserve scheme eligibility
Convertible Loan Notes and Advance Subscription Agreements
Not every early-stage investment takes the form of a straight equity round. We advise on convertible loan notes (CLNs) and advance subscription agreements (ASAs), including discount rates, valuation caps, and conversion mechanics. Our startup investment solicitors ensure these instruments are properly drafted and protect your position at the point of conversion.
Shareholders’ Agreements and Articles of Association
Once investment closes, your constitutional documents need to reflect the new ownership structure and protect both founders and investors. We draft and negotiate shareholders’ agreements covering board composition, reserved matters, anti-dilution provisions, drag and tag-along rights, and founder vesting schedules.
Investor Due Diligence Support
Investors will scrutinise your business before committing capital. We help founders prepare for due diligence and respond to investor queries on IP ownership, existing contracts, regulatory matters, and corporate structure. For investors, we conduct legal due diligence on target companies to identify risks before funds are transferred.
- Preparing founders for investor due diligence
- Legal due diligence for angel investors and funds
- Data room review and gap analysis
Series A, B, and Growth Rounds
As your startup scales, funding rounds become more complex. We advise on venture capital term sheets, preference share structures, liquidation preferences, and investor information rights at Series A and beyond. We also advise on M&A transactions and secondary sales of founder shares.
Employee Share Incentives
Attracting and retaining talent is critical at the startup stage. We advise on Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) option schemes, growth shares, and other equity incentive arrangements. Properly structured share schemes help you compete for key hires without increasing your immediate payroll costs. See also our dedicated startup legal services for further support as your business grows.
Why Choose Gurve Legal for Startup Investment Advice
We act for both founders and investors. Most firms pick a side. We advise founders raising capital and investors deploying it, which means we understand the full picture. That commercial insight makes a real difference when you are negotiating deal terms.
Plain commercial advice, not legal jargon. Startup investment moves fast. We give you clear recommendations, not lengthy disclaimers. You will always understand what a document says and what you are agreeing to before you sign.
No unnecessary complexity. We will not pad out simple deals with overengineered documentation or sell you generic startup packs. Every piece of work is proportionate to your stage, your deal size, and your actual legal risk.
Wider commercial support when you need it. Beyond investment rounds, we provide ongoing legal support as your business evolves: commercial contracts, employment law, intellectual property, and GDPR compliance. One firm, all the bases covered.
Speak to Our Startup Investment Solicitors
Whether you are preparing for a seed round, closing an angel investment, or reviewing a term sheet, our team is ready to help. Contact Gurve Legal for a free initial consultation.
Call us: +44 207 566 1188
Email: info@gurvelegal.com