Startups Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on startups for new zealand businesses.
Why You Need A Property Licence Agreement (Shared Workspace) (2026 Updated)
Shared workspaces are everywhere now - coworking hubs, serviced offices, studios, therapy rooms, commercial kitchens, and “pop-in” desks that you can book by the hour. And if you’re the person paying for...
6 January 2025
Running An Online Course? Here’s How To Protect Yourself (2026 Updated)
Creating and selling an online course is one of the fastest ways to package your expertise into a scalable product. You can teach from anywhere, reach students across New Zealand (and overseas),...
6 January 2025
What Are Preference Shares? (2026 Updated)
If you’re raising money for your business (or thinking about bringing in investors), it won’t be long before someone mentions “preference shares”. They can sound a bit technical - but once you...
6 January 2025
What Is TM Headstart ? (2026 Updated)
If you’ve ever tried to protect your brand, you’ve probably noticed that trade mark registration can feel like a “one chance to get it right” process. That’s exactly why TM Headstart exists....
6 January 2025
The Ins and Outs of Shareholders Agreements and Company Constitutions (2026 Updated)
If you’re building a company with more than one owner (or you plan to bring in investors later), the “paperwork” you put in place early can make or break the relationship when...
6 January 2025
What’s The Difference Between A Joint Venture & A Partnership? (2026 Updated)
When you’re building something with another person (or business), it’s natural to want to “just get started” and sort the paperwork later. But if you’re collaborating on a project, launching a new...
6 January 2025
Raising Capital From Friends And Family: How To Do It Right (2026 Updated)
Getting your first injection of capital from friends and family can feel like the perfect win-win: you get the funds you need to launch or grow, and the people closest to you...
6 January 2025
What Is Trade Mark Specification In New Zealand? (2026 Updated)
If you’re registering a trade mark in New Zealand, it’s easy to focus on the “fun” part (your brand name or logo) and overlook the part that actually defines what you’ll own:...
6 January 2025
How To Set Expectations & Responsibilities Of Your Board Advisor (2026 Updated)
Bringing a board advisor into your business can feel like a turning point. Suddenly you’ve got someone experienced in your corner - a steady head, a strategic sounding board, and (ideally) a...
6 January 2025
How To Start A Business In New Zealand (2026 Updated)
Starting a business in New Zealand can feel equal parts exciting and overwhelming. You’ve got the idea, the motivation, and maybe even your first customers lined up - but then the “legal...
6 January 2025
Information Memorandum Disclaimers: What You Need To Know (2026 Updated)
If you’re raising capital, selling a business, or bringing in strategic partners, you’ll probably hear the term “information memorandum” (often shortened to “IM”). It can feel like a straightforward marketing document -...
6 January 2025
How To Allocate Shares In A Startup (2026 Updated)
Allocating shares in your startup can feel like one of the most exciting steps of building your business - because it’s when “the idea” becomes a real company with real ownership. But...
6 January 2025
I’m A Startup Founder: When Can I Start Paying Myself? (2026 Updated)
You’ve incorporated your startup, you’re working long hours, and you’re probably covering a few business costs out of your own pocket. So it’s a totally fair question: when can you start paying...
6 January 2025
Can I Go Into Business With A Foreign Partner? (2026 Updated)
Teaming up with a business partner overseas can be a huge advantage. You might bring local market knowledge and networks in New Zealand, while they bring capital, specialised skills, manufacturing capability, or...
6 January 2025
Preparing For A Capital Raise (2026 Updated)
Raising capital can be a game-changer for your business - whether you’re hiring faster, building product, expanding into new markets, or finally getting the runway you need to execute properly. But investors...
6 January 2025
ESOP or ESS: Which One Is Right For My Business? (2026 Updated)
If you’re trying to attract and retain great people, you’ve probably heard founders throw around terms like “ESOP” and “ESS” as if they’re interchangeable. They’re related, but they’re not the same thing...
6 January 2025
What Is A Share Subscription Letter And When Do I Need It? (2026 Updated)
Raising money is exciting - but the paperwork can feel like a speed bump, especially if you’re bringing investors in for the first time. A share subscription letter (sometimes called a “share...
6 January 2025
Should I Use A Sweat Equity Agreement For My Startup? (2026 Updated)
When you’re building a startup, cash is usually tight but the to-do list is endless. So it makes sense to look at “sweat equity” - bringing someone on who contributes time, skills,...
6 January 2025
What Is A Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement? (2026 Updated)
If you’re sharing ideas, pricing, customer data, product roadmaps or anything “not public” with another business, you’ll usually want an NDA in place first. A Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement (Mutual NDA) is one...
6 January 2025
Do Startup Founders Need Official Contracts? (2026 Updated)
When you’re building a startup, it’s tempting to keep everything “lightweight” at the start. You might be working with a co-founder you trust, a developer you found through a friend, or your...
6 January 2025
Operating As A Sole Trader? Here’s What You Need To Know (2026 Updated)
Running your business as a sole trader can be a great way to get started in New Zealand. It’s simple, flexible, and usually cheaper to set up than a company. But “simple”...
6 January 2025
Business Startup Checklist Australia (2026 Updated)
Starting a business is exciting - but it can also feel like you’re juggling 50 things at once (idea, branding, pricing, suppliers, a website… and then the legal side on top of...
6 January 2025
Phantom Share Option Plans - 6 Things You Need To Know (2026 Updated)
If you’re building a growing business, chances are you’ve thought about how to attract (and keep) great people when cash is tight, priorities are moving fast, and you’re trying to scale without...
6 January 2025
What You Need To Know About Raising Capital (2026 Updated)
Raising capital can feel like a turning point for your business - exciting, a bit nerve-wracking, and (if we’re being honest) full of new terms and “gotchas” you didn’t realise you needed...
6 January 2025
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