Startups Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on startups for new zealand businesses.
Trade Marks Vs. Copyright: What’s The Difference? (2026 Updated)
Your brand is often the first thing customers notice - your name, logo, packaging, website, and the look and feel of what you put out into the world. So it makes sense...
5 January 2025
I’m Under A Sweat Equity Agreement. Am I Still Entitled To Minimum Wage? (2026 Updated)
Putting in the hard yards for a startup can be exciting - especially when you’re promised equity as the business grows. But it can also get confusing (fast) when your “pay” is...
5 January 2025
What Is A Shareholders Agreement? (2026 Updated)
Starting (or growing) a company with other people can be exciting - you’re pooling skills, sharing the workload, and building something bigger than you could alone. But once there’s more than one...
5 January 2025
How Changes to the New Equity Crowdfunding Laws Affect Your Startup (2026 Updated)
Equity crowdfunding can feel like the best of both worlds: you raise growth capital, build a community of supporters, and keep momentum moving without relying solely on banks or a single lead...
5 January 2025
What Is A SAFE Cap Table, And Why Do I Need It? (2026 Updated)
If you’re raising money for your startup, you’ll hear a lot of jargon pretty quickly - “cap table”, “SAFE”, “valuation cap”, “discount”, “pro-rata”, and so on. And while it might feel like...
5 January 2025
A Guide To Share Subscription Agreements (2026 Updated)
Raising money is a big milestone for any growing business. Whether you’re bringing on your first external investor or doing a follow-on round with existing supporters, it’s exciting - but it’s also...
5 January 2025
What is a Founders Term Sheet? (2026 Updated)
If you’re building a startup with one or more co-founders, you’ve probably had that moment where everything feels exciting… and slightly risky. You’re moving fast, you’re making big calls, and you’re relying...
5 January 2025
A Guide To SAFE Notes (2026 Updated)
If you’re raising money for your startup, you’ll probably hear one term sooner rather than later: the SAFE note. It’s popular because it can be faster (and less expensive) than a full...
5 January 2025
Accepting Cryptocurrency In Your Online Business (2026 Updated)
Accepting cryptocurrency can be a great way to meet customers where they already are - especially if you run an online business with a tech-savvy audience or you sell internationally. But before...
5 January 2025
Getting Your Clients To Pay On Time (2026 Updated)
Few things are more frustrating (and stressful) than doing the work, sending the invoice, and then… waiting. If you’re running a small business in New Zealand, late payment can quickly snowball into...
5 January 2025
Legal Aspects Of Starting A Small Business (2026 Updated)
Starting a small business is exciting - you’ve got an idea, some momentum, and that feeling that you could genuinely build something of your own. But before you launch (or even while...
5 January 2025
A Guide To Outsourcing (2026 Updated)
Outsourcing can be a game-changer for your business. Whether you’re delegating bookkeeping, hiring a virtual assistant, bringing in specialist developers, or using an agency to handle marketing, outsourcing can help you move...
5 January 2025
Tips For Launching An Edtech Startup (2026 Updated)
Edtech is one of those spaces where you can genuinely build something that changes lives - better learning outcomes, more accessible education, and smarter ways for teachers and employers to support people....
5 January 2025
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
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