It depends on structure (asset vs stock), parties’ jurisdictions, use of tax elections (e.g. 338), and deferred consideration. Always engage tax counsel early.

Yes - when buyer and seller disagree on future projections, partial payments may be contingent on performance (revenue, EBITDA) after closing.

That depends on negotiated terms: you might roll over equity, receive a new role (e.g. leadership, board seat), or exit entirely. Clarify this in the agreement.

By creating an integration plan early (even during diligence), having a dedicated integration team, defining workstreams and metrics, maintaining communications, and monitoring synergy progress vs forecast.

Include conditions precedent in the agreement (deal contingent on approvals). Also negotiate termination rights, refund or break-up fees, and fallback structure planning.

Asset purchases, carve-outs, strong representations/indemnities, limited liability caps, escrow, and holdbacks are tools to limit exposure. But complete insulation may not be possible in stock or merger deals.

Key protections include representations and warranties, indemnification caps and baskets, survival periods, escrow or holdback amounts, earn-outs, and carveouts (e.g. for tax, IP, regulatory matters).

Yes - many agreements include conditions precedent, Material Adverse Change (MAC) clauses, break-up rights, or renegotiation triggers if due diligence uncovers issues. A poorly performing integration may also prompt adjustments.

Disclosure should be timed carefully to balance confidentiality and trust. Many deals maintain confidentiality until the signing, sharing information only under NDA and with key stakeholders, then broad communication following closing or in a controlled way.

1. Asset sale: buyer chooses which assets (and some liabilities) to acquire - gives flexibility but requires consents.
   
2. Stock sale: buyer acquires ownership interests (shares) - continuity is smoother but buyer inherits full liability.
   

Merger: legal consolidation of entities; often simplifies transfers but may trigger statutory rights (dissenters’ rights, shareholder votes).

The price is based on valuation methods (DCF, comparable companies, precedent transactions, asset approach) and then adjusted via negotiation, risk allocation, escrow, earn-outs, and working capital / debt adjustments.

Most deals take 6–12 months from initial negotiations to full integration. Complex deals, cross-border structures, or regulatory approvals can stretch this longer.

If you are collecting user data - even email addresses for a waitlist - yes. Privacy policies are required by laws like GDPR and CCPA and are expected by users. A simple, transparent policy early on builds trust and avoids compliance risks.

Yes - but only with caution. Permissive licenses like MIT or Apache are generally safe. Copyleft licenses like GPL or AGPL may require you to open source your entire codebase if combined improperly. Always review licenses before including open source code in your product.

It depends on your business model. Trademarks are generally a faster, cheaper way to protect brand identity and avoid conflicts. Patents are valuable for companies with novel inventions or defensible technology but are expensive and time-consuming. Many startups begin with trademarks and trade secrets, and pursue patents only if they become strategically necessary.