Startups move fast - and sometimes things don’t go as planned. Whether you’re resolving a dispute, parting ways with a contractor, or running a risky beta test, a waiver and release agreement can be a key risk management tool.

When your startup starts selling, partnering, or outsourcing - it’s time to start signing commercial agreements. Whether you’re licensing software, onboarding a reseller, or buying cloud services, these contracts govern how your business operates in the real world.

When your startup begins signing customers or vendors, two acronyms quickly become part of the conversation: MSA and SOW. These agreements are more than just legal language - they provide the structure that supports many B2B relationships.

When startups take money from venture capital funds subject to ERISA or similar regulations, those funds need a special document: the Management Rights Letter (MRL). This short but powerful agreement ensures the investor has sufficient rights to “manage” their investment, helping them comply with legal requirements.

When startup leaders make tough calls - hiring, spending, pivoting - they expose themselves to personal liability. The Indemnification Agreement serves as a legal shield, protecting directors and officers against lawsuits, claims, and costs incurred while serving the company.

In venture-backed startups, control of the cap table is critical. The Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement (ROFR/Co-Sale) helps founders and investors maintain that control by regulating how shares are transferred - particularly when founders, early employees, or other major holders want to sell.

While founders often assume they’ll control their company post-funding, the Voting Agreement tells a more nuanced story. This document outlines how shareholders agree to vote their shares on critical company matters, including board elections and future financing approvals.

Once a startup closes a priced equity round, investors want more than just shares - they want visibility, influence, and information.

When startups raise a priced equity financing - often at the seed or Series A stage - the Stock Purchase Agreement (SPA) becomes the central contract that governs the investment