Acceleration – a Startup Law Book
What all entrepreneurs must know about startup law
Forming a Startup Company
Why, when, where, and how to incorporate your startup.
Equity Issues
Dividing the pie, vesting schedules, and incentive equity compensation.
Founder Dynamics and First Hires
Selecting co-founders and first hires, navigating issues, compensation, and departures.
Mentors and Advisors
Advisor and mentor agreements and compensation, red flags, and exit strategies.
Accelerators and Seed Financing
Common accelerator and seed terms, including convertible notes, SAFEs, and preferred stock rounds.
Venture Capital
Experiences in the venture capital financing process, including due diligence, terms, and deal documents.
Level up your startup journey—grab Acceleration, the Startup Law book.
- Learn startup law basics.
- Navigate common startup legal issues.
- Get up to speed fast.
Startup Lawyer – a Startup Law Blog
Plain-English startup law guidance on venture capital and M&A, from formation to financing to exit.
Startup Law Articles
- startup and venture law focused.
- current events in the venture ecosystem.
- anecdotes and lessons learned.
Startup Law Glossary
- hundreds of commonly-used terms.
- updated frequently.
- specific to startups, venture capital, and m&a.
Explore Key Startup Law Guides
Browse Startup Lawyer’s core guides on formation, founder equity, financing, governance, contracts, intellectual property, and acquisitions.
Startup Incorporation: The Complete Guide
How to form your startup the right way from day one.
Startup Equity 101: Splits and Vesting
A practical guide to founder equity, splits, and vesting.
Seed Funding: Complete SAFEs vs Notes Guide
SAFE vs notes explained, with dilution and tradeoffs.
Venture Capital Term Sheet Survival Guide
The key VC terms every founder should understand.
The Ultimate Startup Hiring Guide
How to hire well, stay compliant, and avoid common mistakes.
Intellectual Property for Startups
How to protect the IP that gives your startup its edge.
The Startup Commercial Contracts Guide
The contracts that shape startup risk, revenue, and growth.
The Startup Board of Directors Guide
How startup boards work, from control to key decisions.
The Startup Acquisition Process Guide
What to expect when selling a startup, from LOI to closing.
“An invaluable resource for entrepreneurs, Ryan Roberts’ Startup Lawyer breaks down the legal issues of startup life.”
-Forbes, “100 Best Websites for Entrepreneurs“