Empowering Innovation: Allied Legal - Your Legal Launchpad for Startup Success
Allied Legal is a commercial law firm that works specifically in the start up, SMALL BUSINESS and innovation space.
Allied Legal is an A-Z commercial law firm for startups and innovative companies. Our client base encompasses very early stage founders, established innovative companies with valuations in the hundreds of millions, and everything in between. As commercial lawyers, we have expertise in all key areas pertaining to startup business requirements. At a high level, of our areas of expertise include:
Initial set up of new businesses, including business structuring, IP protection, founder agreements, employment and contractor arrangements, employee share plans, customer agreements and data and privacy guidance;
Go-to-market requirements such as negotiating and implementing B2B transactions, preparing supply and distribution agreements, onboarding strategic co-founders, equity structuring including share vesting arrangements and managing employee requirements;
Scaling business needs, including pre-seed, seed, series a and onwards capital raising, grant and debt funding, restructures, international expansion and flip-ups;
Exits, including IPOs and major acquisitions;
Dispute management and resolution.
Legal 101: Why is good legal advice so critical for start ups or innovators wanting to scale or commericalise?
Good legal is to businesses what physiotherapy is to high performing athletes – it’s not your main area of focus, but you’re highly risk-prone without it.
Having good legal support both at the outset of your venture and as it scales can, and in many cases does, mean the difference between a failed venture and a successful one. As practitioners we have seen disputes arise from inadequate legal documentation, we have seen founders be taken advantage of by investors because they didn’t have legal representation during the negotiation process, and we have seen companies be taken down by regulatory authorities because they were non-compliant with laws the founders were simply unaware of.
Conversely, business that invest in good legal structuring and documentation at the outset have a better chance of managing their overheads and risk exposure as time goes on. These are businesses with strong customer agreements and appropriate equity structures who understand the regulatory framework in which they operate.
What attracts you to the innovations space? And, what is your interest in energy and mining?
Allied Legal has been innovation focused since our inception. Each member of our team had personal exposure to the startup ecosystem prior to joining which is what attracted them to the role in the first place.
We love this space because it is fast paced, dynamic and exciting. Startups often have unique and dynamic needs compared to more traditional business which allows us to really engage in creative problem solving. On top of this, with the increasing technological nature of the global economy, operating as an advisor in this space exposes us to future industries as they are being built.
Fundamentally, we believe that a strong startup ecosystem is an integral part of Australia’s growth. By specialising in this area, we get to partner with founders to contribute towards this growth. Mining, in particular, has been a core component of Australia’s economy for decades. We understand that today’s mining innovations will become tomorrow’s industry standard, which means that innovations in the mining space will set the stage for Australia’s economic growth in years to come.
Outline some of the industry challenges you see - what are some of the key issues facing innovators today? How does Allied Legal support clients to navigate or solve these?
Some key issues include navigating complex regulatory frameworks, ensuring the protection of intellectual property rights, securing funding for research and development, and staying ahead in rapidly evolving markets. Additionally, there are challenges related to market adoption, scalability, and the need for strategic partnerships. These obstacles require a nuanced approach, combining legal expertise with an understanding of industry dynamics to ensure innovators can overcome hurdles and thrive in their respective fields.
Allied Legal considers itself to be a trusted pair of hands for founders looking to navigate these obstacles. As a founder, your focus should be on product, sales, and growth. As a business builder, your time is better spent here than it would be spent upskilling in legal. Instead, working with an advisor who understands the unique needs of your business ensures your time is put to its best use:
Describe the purpose of Office Hours and what CORE Members can expect from them.
Office hours is a great opportunity for founders to engage with us and take advantage of our legal expertise. Whether it's brainstorming ideas, seeking guidance on a pressing legal matter, or discussing strategic partnerships, Office Hours are designed to be a dynamic and interactive experience that adds real, tangible value to your innovative venture.
To learn more about Allied Legal, click here.
CORE co-working and office members can access Office Hours here.