Start Ups

In the thrill of launching a new business, it’s easy to overlook the administrative groundwork. But all too often we see dynamic businesses come to us for advice only for us to find that, in an attempt to reduce costs, they have relied on documents which haven’t been prepared or verified by lawyers and which just don’t work. Rather than helping them grow, our first piece of work can then be spent undoing what has already been put in place. Correcting mistakes after the fact is often more expensive than getting it right first time.  Plus, whilst some issues can be rectified retrospectively, sometimes such rectification can have disadvantageous tax consequences.         

We appreciate that in the first months of operation, businesses are under huge cash pressures.  Start-ups operate with limited budgets where every pound spent may impact their runway.  Hiring expensive lawyers to draft perfect documents and protect your business doesn’t make sense if to do so limits growth potential.

That’s where Catalyst comes in. Whether you’re building an app, producing content, or revolutionising an industry, Catalyst provides the tools and knowledge you need to succeed.

We provide start-up businesses with:

• • Essential knowledge: Access comprehensive guides on legal topics crucial to your business, written in plain English.
• • Free Legal Templates: Download expertly crafted documents, including NDAs, founder agreements and share applications, to save time and money whilst ensuring compliance.
• • Expert insights: Benefit from resources developed by experienced legal professionals with decades of experience working with entrepreneurial tech and media companies. 

We believe that legal obstacles shouldn’t hold you back from achieving your vision. That’s why Catalyst focuses on simplifying the legal process, empowering you to innovate and grow.

If you need something bespoke which isn’t covered by this pack or the associated documents, Catalyst can connect you to our team of expert advisors who are passionate about supporting start-ups. We will provide discrete advice or document preparation on a fixed-fee basis rather than on the basis of an hourly rate, enabling you to budget accordingly. That way, we ensure a cost-effective service, where the cost of our advice becomes a strategic investment in the future stability and success of your business.  

Being part of the start-up ecosystem is more than a business strategy for Lee & Thompson, it’s a commitment to the future of innovation and enterprise. Many start-ups we’ve advised from Day 1 have become long-terms clients, valuing our understanding of their business history and goals. The unique needs of high growth companies also push us to innovate in our own practice, leading to the development of specialised services and approaches that benefit our entire client base. 

This mutual growth ensures that as the tech and media landscape changes, so do we, always ready to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.