What is Startup Legal Portal?

Access legal expertise with Startup Legal Portal, featuring 7 essential guides and over 100 FAQ items for founders and tech companies.

Do I need a lawyer before I even have a company?

Not necessarily a full legal process — but a first consultation can save you significant money and future disputes by getting the structure right from day one.

What is vesting and why does it matter at the very beginning?

Vesting means equity is earned over time (commonly 4 years with a 1-year cliff). It protects the company if a co-founder leaves early. It's much easier to set it up before incorporating.

What if I have no legal budget yet?

There is a flexible fee model, including partial payment in equity or options, subject to a case-by-case review. A first consultation helps define priorities within your budget.

Do I need to assign IP before raising capital?

Yes. If the IP isn't assigned to the company, investors may see the company as not owning its product — which can block or delay an investment.

Can you review a document I already received or signed?

Absolutely. Reviewing a founders agreement, term sheet or NDA you already received is a core part of early-stage legal support.

I'm a first-time founder — is this page for me?

Very much so. This page is designed for early-stage founders, including first-timers, to help you understand the legal steps you need — before you spend money or sign anything.

A quick legal fit-check for early-stage founders

Early-stage founder? A legal check before you sign, incorporate, or raise capital

You don't need a full legal process yet — but a short conversation can prevent expensive mistakes. Before you incorporate, sign a founders agreement, talk to an investor, or give away equity — it's worth understanding what your startup actually needs.

Summary

An early-stage founder doesn't need a full legal process — but does need to know what to set up before money, equity, or signatures are involved. The most important questions: is there a founders agreement, is IP assigned to the company, is there vesting, are roles defined, and is the company ready to talk to investors. A short consultation can produce a clear action plan and prevent expensive mistakes down the road.

Is this page for you?

You have an idea but haven't formed a company yet

You have co-founders but no written founders agreement

You're about to register a company and want to do it right

You've been verbally promised equity but nothing is documented

You're considering an accelerator or pre-seed program

You want to understand vesting, cliff and equity before signing anything

You're a first-time founder and unsure what legal steps you need

You have a limited legal budget and want a flexible fee model

You want to know whether your idea needs legal protection (IP / NDA)

You're considering paying a lawyer partly in equity or options

Why a small founder still needs a legal check

•Many founders skip legal work at the early stage and pay for it later.

•Equity divided verbally, with no vesting, creates future disputes.

•Without a founders agreement, a departing co-founder can keep their full stake.

•If IP isn't assigned to the company, the company may not own its own product.

•Investors and accelerators require a legally clean company before investing.

•Early mistakes in structure are expensive to fix after money is involved.

•Without vesting, there is no mechanism if a co-founder stops working.

•Without an NDA, the idea and know-how are exposed to investors and partners.

•Verbal arrangements are impossible to enforce when disagreements arise.

•A first consultation can prevent major mistakes before they happen.

Self-checklist — what should already be in place?

Is the company registered?

Who are the shareholders?

Is there a cap table?

Is there a founders agreement?

Are there articles of association?

Is IP assigned to the company?

Is there an NDA with investors / employees?

Are there vesting and cliff mechanisms?

Are roles and commitments defined?

Are decision-making mechanisms defined?

Is there an exit / buyout mechanism?

Are there prior commitments to investors?

Is there a partnership agreement?

Are there signed documents to review?

Is there a plan for raising capital?

Is the domain legally protected (trademark / IP)?

Are employees / freelancers under proper agreements?

Is there a risk of a founder dispute?

Is there a mechanism if a co-founder leaves?

Is the venture ready to talk to investors?

Flexible fee model — including equity / options

Early-stage founders often have a limited legal budget. There is a flexible fee model that may include partial payment in equity or options, subject to a case-by-case review. The goal is to make essential legal work accessible at the earliest stage — when it matters most.

What Adv. Zion Bahalul can help with

Founders agreement tailored to your venture

Company formation and articles of association

IP assignment and NDA drafting

Vesting, cliff and equity structure

Cap table and shareholders setup

Review of documents you've already signed or received

Flexible fee model — including partial payment in equity / options

Preparation for meetings with investors and accelerators

A clear action plan of what to fix — and in what order

Frequently asked questions

Early-stage founder assessment

Send your details and we'll check whether an initial legal fit-check is right for you — before you incorporate, sign, or raise capital. The goal is to understand where you stand and what to fix first.

Your information is kept confidential and used only to review your request.

Full name *

Phone *

Preferred language

Do you already have a registered company?

Do you have co-founders?

What stage is the venture at?

What is the venture's domain?

Has any document been signed yet?

Do you have an initial legal budget?

Would you consider partial payment in equity / options?

Short description of the idea / venture

Upload a document (optional)Click to upload a document

There is no need to reveal sensitive trade secrets in this form. A general description of the venture is enough.