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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.

Checklist: The 10 Templates Every Early-Stage Startup Should Have
Liz Komatsu Liz Komatsu

Checklist: The 10 Templates Every Early-Stage Startup Should Have

Launching a startup involves much more than a great idea. To protect your business, manage operations effectively, and position yourself for growth and investment, legal and business documentation is essential. This checklist outlines the ten must-have templates every early-stage startup should have from day one.

These documents are foundational, legally protective, and critical for maintaining compliance and professionalism.

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Using Crypto Payments in Your Business: Legal Basics for Founders
Liz Komatsu Liz Komatsu

Using Crypto Payments in Your Business: Legal Basics for Founders

The rise of cryptocurrency has created new opportunities for startups and small businesses to innovate how they conduct transactions. Accepting crypto payments can offer benefits such as lower fees, faster processing times, and expanded access to global markets. However, with these opportunities come complex legal and regulatory considerations that founders must understand to operate compliantly.

This guide explores the key legal issues associated with using crypto payments in a business context, particularly for founders operating in the U.S.

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From Culture to Cashflow: How Creators Can Protect and Profit from Their Work
Jennifer Newton Jennifer Newton

From Culture to Cashflow: How Creators Can Protect and Profit from Their Work

In today’s digital-first and creator-driven economy, originality is one of the most valuable assets a person can possess. From viral TikTok dances to breakthrough product innovations, creators fuel the cultural engine that drives what consumers talk about, how they shop, and the values they align with. Yet paradoxically, the very creators responsible for shaping these global trends are frequently the last to benefit financially from the movements they initiate.

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AI Model Governance for Startups: Policy, DPA, and Audit Trails — Turn “Move Fast” into Compliant, Documented AI Ops
Jennifer Newton Jennifer Newton

AI Model Governance for Startups: Policy, DPA, and Audit Trails — Turn “Move Fast” into Compliant, Documented AI Ops

Startups are uniquely positioned to define how responsible AI can coexist with speed and innovation. By embedding governance into your AI stack through well-crafted policies, enforceable DPAs, and transparent audit trails, you not only comply with global data laws but also build trust with users, partners, and regulators.

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Why Your Startup Shouldn’t Wait for a Lawsuit to Hire a Lawyer
Liz Komatsu Liz Komatsu

Why Your Startup Shouldn’t Wait for a Lawsuit to Hire a Lawyer

In the fast-paced world of startups, legal issues can feel like distant “one-day” problems—until they hit. Waiting for a lawsuit before engaging counsel is a risky gamble. Here’s why your startup should partner with a lawyer before the courtroom doors swing open.

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Protecting Your Startup’s IP: Contracts, Clauses & Conflict Prevention
Liz Komatsu Liz Komatsu

Protecting Your Startup’s IP: Contracts, Clauses & Conflict Prevention

Protecting your startup’s intellectual property is critical to maintaining your competitive edge and avoiding costly disputes down the road. By building strong contractual guardrails and conflict-prevention strategies into every relationship—from employees and contractors to vendors and partners—you’ll ensure your innovations stay yours. Here’s how.

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