Resource Center

Stay in the know with the latest news and expert insights from StartSmart Counsel. Our dedicated team of advisors regularly shares valuable updates, industry trends, and business wisdom to help you navigate the entrepreneurial journey. Explore our curated collection of news articles and blog posts to gain valuable insights and stay ahead in your startup endeavors.

The SAFE Agreement: A Popular Fundraising Tool for Early-Stage Startups
Liz Komatsu Liz Komatsu

The SAFE Agreement: A Popular Fundraising Tool for Early-Stage Startups

In the fast‑moving world of startup financing, simplicity and speed can mean the difference between seizing opportunity—and watching it slip away. Enter the SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity): a streamlined fundraising instrument that lets early‑stage companies raise capital quickly, without the cost and complexity of a priced equity round. In this post, we’ll unpack the key features of SAFEs, explore why they’ve become a go‑to tool for founders and investors alike, and offer practical guidance on when and how to use them effectively.

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Managing Team Growth: Employment Contracts & Equity Planning
Liz Komatsu Liz Komatsu

Managing Team Growth: Employment Contracts & Equity Planning

Managing rapid team growth while preserving culture and aligning incentives is one of the most critical challenges for scaling startups. Two foundational pillars—rock‑solid employment contracts and thoughtful equity planning—can help you attract, retain, and motivate top talent without jeopardizing your company’s long‑term vision or financial health. This blog walks through the essential elements of employment agreements, explores equity‑allocation strategies, and offers practical tips for keeping your rollout both competitive and compliant.

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Avoiding Disputes with Equity Compensation for Employees
Liz Komatsu Liz Komatsu

Avoiding Disputes with Equity Compensation for Employees

Equity compensation can be a powerful tool for aligning employee interests with company growth—but it also carries the risk of misunderstandings, misaligned expectations, and legal disputes. By establishing clear policies, maintaining transparent communication, and implementing robust governance, startups and established companies alike can harness the motivational power of equity while minimizing conflict.

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The White House AI Action Plan: Startup Opportunities and the Legal Gap Around Agentic AI
Jennifer Newton Jennifer Newton

The White House AI Action Plan: Startup Opportunities and the Legal Gap Around Agentic AI

In July 2025, the White House released Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan, a national strategy focused on advancing artificial intelligence through innovation, infrastructure, and international leadership. The plan encourages rapid commercialization, public-private collaboration, and the removal of regulatory barriers.

While the benefits for startups and small businesses are significant, especially in infrastructure, deregulation, and export access, the plan notably avoids addressing the emerging legal challenges posed by agentic AI. These are autonomous systems that initiate decisions and actions independently, functioning in ways that raise questions about legal accountability and recognition.

This article examines the structure of the AI Action Plan, its implications for startups, and the unresolved legal status of agentic AI systems that act without direct human control or legal personhood.

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The GENIUS Act of 2025: What Startups and Small Businesses Need to Know About the New Federal Stablecoin Framework
Jennifer Newton Jennifer Newton

The GENIUS Act of 2025: What Startups and Small Businesses Need to Know About the New Federal Stablecoin Framework

The GENIUS Act of 2025 lays the foundation for regulated innovation in stablecoins, with substantial implications for how startups and small businesses approach product development, compliance, and market entry. While it imposes strict regulatory guardrails, it offers unprecedented legal clarity and a dual-path framework (federal and state) that startups can leverage to responsibly scale.

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How to Avoid Misclassifying Contractors: Legal Checklist for Startups
Liz Komatsu Liz Komatsu

How to Avoid Misclassifying Contractors: Legal Checklist for Startups

In the fast-paced world of startups, engaging independent contractors can be an efficient way to scale. But get the classification wrong, and you risk wage-and-hour claims, tax penalties, and even unemployment insurance liabilities. This legal checklist walks founders through the key factors and best practices to ensure your contractors remain rightly classified—and your startup stays compliant.

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Managing Vendor Disputes: Clauses Every Founder Should Include
Liz Komatsu Liz Komatsu

Managing Vendor Disputes: Clauses Every Founder Should Include

In any fast-moving startup, vendor relationships are critical—but even the best partnerships can hit bumps in the road. A well-drafted agreement won’t guarantee you’ll never face a dispute, but it can dramatically streamline resolution when issues arise. Here are the key clauses every founder should include to manage—and minimize—the pain of vendor disputes.

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