Startups

Enterprise Management Incentive Schemes ( EMI Schemes ), offer significant tax benefits for both companies and their employees by granting the right to shares in the company to employees in the most tax-efficient way (geared towards attracting and retaining employees).  Now the Government has brought in changes to the EMI qualifying conditions, aimed at simplifying the administration of these schemes.  Would your business qualify? Request the EMI Eligibility Questionnaire using the form at the bottom of this page. What has…

Wherever a business is in its lifecycle, funding is a critical factor in driving growth and, ultimately, success. Many businesses do this through venture capital. In this article, we explore the pros and cons of venture capital, particularly in terms of seed, scaleup and series A funding and how these forms of venture capital can provide the resources and expertise to maximise the potential for success. The Pros and Cons of Venture Capital Funding Advantages of venture capital funding In…

If you are planning to appoint a new director to work in your business who will also acquire shares in your company then, as well as drawing up a service level agreement to govern their employment, you will also need to consider whether you need to make any changes to your current shareholder agreement.

Did you know that employees received an estimated £480m in income tax and national insurance contributions (NIC) in the tax year ending 2021 from Employee Share Schemes - with EMI schemes forming the largest contributor to tax relief? EMI share schemes (Enterprise Management Incentives)  have clearly become a popular way of motivating, retaining and attracting employees in the UK, as they offer significant tax benefits for both the business and its employees. By allowing companies to grant options (the right…

To ensure your interests and your business are protected you need an experienced team advising you so the final terms are both fair and workable in the long term. If you are considering a funding round, congratulations! It’s an incredible achievement to build a business that is worthy of external investment. That said, if this is new territory for you, it’s highly recommended to seek professional support, including lawyers and accountants, to guide you through the process.| Thinking about a…

You may need finance for your business to fund growth projects, maybe to fund the purchase of plant and equipment, diversification, or expansion.  Maybe the need to raise finance is to complete a management buy-out, to acquire a competitor or a complementary business, to purchase a freehold or leasehold commercial property, or to invest in a new corporate project. Whatever the reason you need to consider the finance options open to you and their potential pros and cons.  The devil…

Could a business angel be the answer to your startup business prayers?  Early-stage businesses are generally in need of funding to bring an idea to market but sometimes funding alone is not enough to help them thrive, especially when expertise is critical to success. A business angel could be a good solution to explore and consider because they can provide both expertise and finance.   What is a business angel?  Probably the most known business angels are those that sit…

Starting any new business comes with a steep learning curve, especially as a founder when you often find yourself wearing all the management hats. This is why it is important to deal with the core legal issues early, so that when the time comes to scale up, your business is ready and in good shape to expand

Our Checklist for Preparing a Shareholder Agreement is a good place to start when preparing your shareholders agreement. Thinking about these questions and being able to answer them will get you a long way to creating your shareholders agreement:  JPP Law offers fixed price shareholders agreements. If you would like a no obligation quote, please book your free consultation with a member of our legal team.  During the call the solicitor will talk to you about your requirements and then follow…

Setting up a new business is an exciting time, and there are a thousand things to think about, but if you are launching your new venture with one or more other colleagues it is imperative to decide in advance how you are going to structure it legally.