Every company starts as a handful of early decisions most people never see: how it was formed, who owned what, and who got to decide. We’ve guided several founders through what comes next (hiring, partnerships, financing), so we know which of those early choices carry the most weight, and how to set them up so they hold.

BUILD THE FOUNDATION ONCE. BUILD IT RIGHT.

We help founders and business owners start and structure their companies the right way (from choosing and forming the right entity to founder equity, vesting, governance, and a clean cap table) so your foundation holds as you hire, raise, and grow.

It’s far easier to build that foundation up front than to reconstruct it mid-raise, and that’s the part we handle with you. So the structure is working in your favor before you need it to.

What kind of company should you form?

The entity you choose shapes how you’re taxed, how you manage the business, and how you grow. Most founders planning to raise venture capital incorporate as C-corporations, because that’s what investors expect and what the financing and equity machinery is built around. Others are better served by an LLC or a different structure entirely. We help you choose the entity that fits where you’re actually headed and incorporate cleanly — charter, bylaws, and initial setup done right the first time. If your company already exists, we run a health check and fill any gaps, including conversions, as needed.

How do founders split equity and protect it over time?

We help co-founders divide ownership in a way that reflects contribution and holds up over the long term, put founder vesting in place with 83(b) elections handled correctly, and make sure the IP each founder created before incorporation belongs to the company. These are among the first things an investor will look at, and they’re far simpler to get right at the outset.

For equity used to hire and retain your team (option pools, employee and advisor grants) see Employment & Equity Advisory.

Starting up, or cleaning up? Let’s get your foundation right.

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Who actually controls the company?

As you add co-founders, investors, and a board, decisions that were once a quick conversation become a process. We set up your governance from the start — bylaws, board structure, stockholder and board consents, and the corporate formalities that keep decisions clean and defensible — so control stays clear as the company grows.

Is your company ready to raise?

When you raise, investors will look closely at how the company is put together. We get your corporate house in order ahead of time, so diligence moves quickly and the conversation stays on your business rather than on cleanup.

When you’re ready to raise, see Fundraising & Venture Financing.

Corporate and Startup Matters We Handle

  • Entity selection and formation (C-corp, S-corp, LLC, benefit corporation, and others)
  • Incorporation documents: charter, bylaws, and initial board and stockholder consents
  • Conversions for existing companies preparing to raise
  • Co-founder equity splits and founders’ agreements
  • Founder restricted stock, vesting, and 83(b) elections
  • Founder and pre-incorporation IP assignment
  • Cap table setup and maintenance
  • Corporate governance, board structure, and formalities
  • Ongoing corporate housekeeping: consents, minutes, and filings
  • Fundraising and diligence readiness