Startup & Venture Legal
From First Term Sheet
to Final Exit
We provide the legal infrastructure for high-growth ventures—from incorporation and IP protection through funding rounds, commercial contracts, talent structuring, privacy compliance, and strategic exits.
Legal infrastructure
built for velocity.
Startups move fast. Your legal counsel should too. We combine institutional rigor with entrepreneurial agility—delivering clean documentation, investor-ready structures, and proactive risk management without slowing you down.
Schedule a ConsultationFrom seed to Series C and beyond, we've guided hundreds of founders through formation, funding, scaling, and exits—ensuring every legal decision supports your growth trajectory.
The Startup Legal Playbook
Navigate your legal journey from incorporation to exit. Find your issue, understand the solution, and connect with specialized counsel.
Foundation
Incorporate your company and set founder equity
Clean entity formation, founder agreements, and cap table structuring for investor readiness.
- • Incorporation and entity selection
- • Founder shareholder agreements
- • Cap table setup and vesting schedules
Protection
Protect your IP and build your moat
Trademark registration, patent strategy, and IP assignments to secure your competitive advantage.
- • Trademark and patent filing
- • IP assignment agreements
- • Trade secret protection
Capital
Raise your first round safely
Term sheet negotiation, shareholder agreements, and closing documentation for seed through Series C.
- • Reviewing term sheets
- • ESOPs before a round
- • Cleaning up the cap table
Scale
Scale revenue with solid contracts
Customer agreements, vendor contracts, and platform terms that protect your business as you grow.
- • Master service agreements
- • Terms of service and privacy policies
- • Vendor and supplier contracts
People
Build your team with ESOPs and equity
Employment agreements, ESOP pool creation, and equity compensation structures for key hires.
- • ESOP pool design and grants
- • Employment and consultant agreements
- • Founder and advisor equity
Risk
Stay compliant with data and privacy laws
DPDP Act compliance, privacy policies, and data governance frameworks for scaling startups.
- • Privacy policy and terms drafting
- • DPDP Act compliance
- • Data processing agreements
Exit
Plan your exit and maximize value
Strategic exit planning, M&A advisory, and transaction structuring for acquisitions and IPOs.
- • Exit strategy and planning
- • M&A transaction support
- • Due diligence preparation
Not sure where your issue fits?
Describe your situation in simple language and we'll help you understand what kind of legal work it involves.
Specialized Startup Services
Incorporate Clean, Protect Early
- Incorporation, founder alignment, and governance frameworks
- Trademark, patents, copyright, and code/IP assignments
- Investor-ready cap table and compliance
Raise Capital, Scale Revenue
- Term sheet negotiation and shareholder agreements
- Master service agreements and platform terms
- Vendor contracts and commercial negotiations
Build Teams, Manage Risk
- ESOP pool creation and equity compensation
- Employment agreements and HR compliance
- DPDP Act compliance and privacy policies
Strategic Exits & M&A
- Exit strategy and transaction planning
- M&A advisory and deal structuring
- Due diligence preparation and closing
Why startups choose CELA
Founder-First Mindset
We understand the startup journey. Our counsel is practical, commercial, and designed to move at your pace—not slow you down.
Investor-Ready Documentation
Clean cap tables, proper governance, and institutional-grade documentation that passes investor due diligence the first time.
Full Lifecycle Support
From incorporation to exit, we're your legal partner at every stage—providing continuity, institutional knowledge, and strategic guidance.
Discuss Your Startup's Legal Priorities
Connect with our startup legal team to discuss your specific needs. We provide proactive risk management, clean documentation for diligence, and long-term strategic support.
This page is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or a solicitation of work. Readers should seek specific legal advice before acting.
