ETHAN COLESTARTUP & VENTURE ATTORNEYTALK ABOUT YOUR STARTUP Evolving Connect

Startup governance

Keep the companyin good order.

Clear approvals and reliable records help a growing company make decisions.

Talk about your startup
A business agreement being reviewedBUILT AROUND YOUR BUSINESS.

01 / THE PROBLEM

Individual legal decisions need a shared business context.

Good governance connects decisions to the people authorized to make them. Review the governing documents and financing agreements, document required approvals, and maintain an organized history as the company grows.

+02 / COMMON FRICTION

Small gaps.Bigger questions.

01Contracts reviewed without company context

02Corporate records falling behind

03Board obligations overlooked

04Legal work delayed until a deadline

03 / HOW ETHAN CAN HELP

Understand the business.
Then the documents.

Start with your objective and the documents already in place. Identify the decisions that need attention, discuss practical options, and coordinate the work needed to move forward.

Good governance connects decisions to the people authorized to make them. Review the governing documents and financing agreements, document required approvals, and maintain an organized history as the company grows.

+04 / WHAT THE SERVICE MAY INCLUDE

The workbehind the next step.

  1. Board and stockholder actions
  2. Officer appointments
  3. Corporate records
  4. Equity approvals
  5. Investor consent coordination
  6. Ongoing corporate housekeeping

The scope is agreed for each engagement. Some questions may require coordination with tax, employment, or other specialist advisers.

07 / WHEN YOU MAY NEED THIS

Need regular contract and governance support?Preparing the company for its next chapter?

+FOUNDER FAQ

Good questions.Clearer next steps.

General information only.
Not legal or tax advice.

01

What documents do investors review?

+

Common requests include formation documents, board approvals, equity issuances, a cap table, IP assignments, material contracts, employment records, and earlier financing documents. The scope varies by transaction.

02

When should a startup use outside legal counsel?

+

A useful time is before a consequential commitment: issuing equity, accepting investment, hiring, transferring IP, or signing a material contract. The scope should reflect the company’s stage and needs.

03

What should founders prepare before fundraising?

+

Organize formation documents, approvals, stock records, the cap table, IP assignments, material contracts, and outstanding financing instruments. Identify gaps before promising a closing date.

+LOS ANGELES / WHAT COMES NEXT

Built by people.Built for possibility.

A company is more than its documents. It is the people, work, and ambition behind them.

Downtown Los Angeles skyline at dusk
01 / A PLACE TO BEGIN
A team collaborating in a meeting
02 / A TEAM TO BUILD WITH
Explore ongoing counsel

YOUR NEXT CHAPTER STARTS WITH A CONVERSATION.

Let’s talk about
what you’re building.

Tell Ethan where the company is today
and what needs to happen next.

Talk about your startup