Startups Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on startups for new zealand businesses.
Surviving The First 6 Months As A Startup (2026 Updated)
The first 6 months of a startup can feel like a mix of adrenaline and whiplash. One week you’re celebrating your first paying customer, and the next you’re realising you need proper...
5 January 2025
How Do I Move My Business Online And What Legals Do I Need? (2026 Updated)
Moving your business online can feel like a big leap - especially if you’ve been operating in-person for years, or you’re switching from “side hustle” mode into something more serious. The good...
5 January 2025
Working With An Advisor? Get A FAST Agreement (2026 Updated)
Bringing an advisor on board can be a huge win for your business. A good advisor can open doors, pressure-test your strategy, make introductions, and help you avoid expensive mistakes. But there’s...
5 January 2025
Resolving & Preventing Shareholder Disputes (2026 Updated)
Shareholder disputes can feel personal, messy and expensive - especially when you’re dealing with a business you’ve built from the ground up with someone you trusted. The tricky part is that many...
5 January 2025
What Is A Sole Proprietorship? (2026 Updated)
When you’re ready to start your own business, one of the first big decisions is choosing the right structure. For many Kiwi founders, a sole proprietorship (often called being a sole trader...
5 January 2025
Thinking About Patenting Your App? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t (2026 Updated)
You’ve built (or you’re about to build) an app, you’re excited, and you’re thinking: “I should patent this before someone copies me.” It’s a really common instinct. Patents sound like the ultimate...
5 January 2025
Co-founder Saying Goodbye? Here’s Why You Need A Lawyer (2026 Updated)
Co-founders don’t usually start a business expecting to “break up”. But as your company grows (or even while it’s still in the early stages), people’s priorities can change. Maybe one co-founder wants...
5 January 2025
Memorandum Of Understanding Vs Contract: What’s The Difference? (2026 Updated)
If you’re negotiating a deal in New Zealand, there’s a good chance someone will suggest “let’s just sign an MOU for now” and sort the contract later. That can be a smart...
5 January 2025
Holding Shares Through A Trust: Could This Work For Your Business? (2026 Updated)
If you’re building a business (or investing in one), you’ve probably had the thought: “How do I protect what I’m creating, and set it up so it’s easier to manage long-term?” One...
5 January 2025
Getting Serious About Your Side Hustle? Don’t Forget Your Legals (2026 Updated)
Side hustles are everywhere right now - weekend baking businesses, Etsy stores, social media consulting, trade services after hours, online coaching, home-based beauty services, and more. And usually, they start the same...
5 January 2025
Proptech Startups: A Legal And Practical Overview (2026 Updated)
Proptech (property technology) startups are changing how we buy, sell, rent, build, manage and finance property in New Zealand. Whether you’re building a marketplace for trades, a SaaS platform for property managers,...
5 January 2025
What Is A Fiduciary Duty? (2026 Updated)
If you’re running a business (or thinking about starting one), you’ll hear the phrase “fiduciary duty” come up sooner or later - usually when there’s a lot at stake. In simple terms,...
5 January 2025
An Employer’s Guide To Employee Share Schemes (2026 Updated)
If you’re trying to attract great people (and keep them), salary alone doesn’t always do the trick. That’s where employee share schemes come in. Done well, they can align incentives, reward performance,...
5 January 2025
What Is Share Vesting And What Kind Of Contract Do You Need? (2026 Updated)
If you’re building a startup or growing business in New Zealand, you’ve probably heard the phrase “share vesting” thrown around in founder chats, investor meetings, and term sheets. It can sound technical,...
5 January 2025
10 Common Mistakes Small Businesses Make (2026 Updated)
Starting a small business is exciting - you’ve got a product (or service), a name, and a plan to get it out into the world. But the truth is, most “small business...
5 January 2025
How Do Small Businesses And Startups Do Legal? We Asked Them! (2026 Updated)
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I’ll sort the legal stuff later,” you’re not alone. We speak to New Zealand small businesses and startups every day, and the pattern is pretty consistent:...
5 January 2025
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