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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.
Automated Doesn’t Mean Compliant: Why Smart Contracts Still Need Human Judgment
Smart contracts automate execution but not compliance. Learn why legal oversight is essential to avoid privacy, securities, and AML violations in DeFi and DAOs.
How a GC Helps with Startup Governance, Minutes & Bylaws
Effective corporate governance is a foundational pillar of long-term success for startups. From drafting bylaws to maintaining accurate board minutes, startups must navigate a complex array of legal and operational responsibilities. Employing a General Counsel (GC) or legal advisor early in the company’s lifecycle can help ensure these responsibilities are fulfilled in a manner that supports growth, investor confidence, and regulatory compliance.
This article explores how a General Counsel helps startups establish strong governance practices, draft essential corporate documents, and maintain proper legal hygiene.
Keeping Investors Happy and Informed—And Avoiding Legal Disputes
Investor relations are the lifeblood of any growing startup. Whether you are scaling through venture capital, private equity, or angel investment, clear communication and sound legal practices are essential to maintaining investor confidence. Failing to meet investor expectations or neglecting legal obligations can quickly lead to disputes, reputational damage, or even litigation.
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.
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.
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.
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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