Why Vendor Contracts Matter Startups are often lean on resources, high on ambition, and short on bargaining power. Vendors—whether they provide cloud hosting, packaging, logistics, or software—play an outsized role in your ability to scale quickly and cost-effectively. Misaligned contracts can lead to cash flow problems, bottlenecks in production, or even reputational damage if service […]
Negotiating Investor and Funding Agreements: Securing Terms That Empower Your Startup
For startup founders, securing investment is a pivotal milestone, but the terms of that investment can shape your company’s future for years to come. Investor and funding agreements—whether term sheets, convertible notes, or shareholder contracts—are more than financial lifelines; they’re strategic frameworks that define ownership, control, and alignment with your vision. Negotiating these agreements effectively […]
Leveraging Limited Resources in Negotiations: How Startups Can Win Big on a Shoestring
Hey, startup founders, let’s get real: you’re not rolling into contract negotiations with a corporate war chest or a team of high-powered lawyers. You’re scrappy, strapped for cash, and probably burning the midnight oil to keep your dream alive. But here’s the good news—your startup’s limited resources don’t have to hold you back at the […]
Key Contract Clauses Startups Should Focus On
For startups, contracts are more than just legal documents—they’re strategic tools that define relationships, protect assets, and drive growth. However, the fine print in contracts can make or break your business. A single overlooked clause could lead to financial strain, loss of intellectual property, or unexpected liabilities. As a startup founder, understanding and negotiating key […]
Preparing for Successful Negotiations: A Startup’s Guide to Getting Ready
For startups, every contract negotiation is a high-stakes opportunity to secure favorable terms, protect resources, and build partnerships that drive growth. Yet, diving into negotiations without proper preparation is like launching a product without a business plan—risky and likely to backfire. Preparation is the cornerstone of successful contract negotiation, especially for startups with limited resources […]
Understanding the Basics of Contract Negotiation for Startups
As a startup founder, you’re likely juggling countless responsibilities—product development, fundraising, team building, and customer acquisition, to name a few. Amid this whirlwind, contract negotiation might seem like just another task to check off your list. However, mastering the art of contract negotiation is a critical skill that can make or break your startup’s success. […]
Force Majeure 2.0: AI, Cyber Risk & War Clauses in Modern Deals
We used to think of force majeure as a “natural disasters” clause — floods, fires, and maybe strikes. But in 2025, risk looks very different. Startups and SMEs now face disruption from AI failures, cyberattacks, political unrest, and global conflict — events traditional contracts weren’t built to handle. It’s time for a force majeure upgrade. […]
How to Conduct a Contract Audit- 10 Steps to Take
Contracts are the lifeblood of every business — yet many entrepreneurs only look at them when something goes wrong. Overlooked clauses, outdated terms, or missed deadlines can quietly cost your business time, money, and trust. This is why conducting a contract audit is critical. And the good news? It doesn’t need to be complicated. In […]
Why Contract Management Software Is a Game Changer for SMEs
Contracts are the very backbone of every business. But it’s important to note that as your business grows, so does the chaos, from folders full of PDFs, to email threads with attachments, to missed deadlines, and unsigned pages. That’s where Contract Management Software (CMS) comes in. It helps SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) move from […]
How to Build a Contract Workflow for Your Business – A Smarter and Better way to Handle your Contract
For a lot of startups, small businesses or SMEs, most contracts are signed, scanned, left alone, forgotten and abandoned, until an issue or conflict springs up. The thing is most small businesses and startups handle contracts on a reactive basis: you only think about them when something goes wrong. But contracts aren’t just documents, they’re […]