YC Lecture 18- Legal and Accounting Basics for Startups(Kirsty Nathoo, Carolynn Levy)
Share with Friends
The lecture discusses the basics of legal and accounting considerations for startups, including formation, equity allocation, protecting assets, raising money, hiring employees, and entering into contracts.
Highlights
- To protect personal liability, startups should form a separate legal entity, with Delaware being a popular choice due to its clear laws and investor familiarity.
- Documenting paperwork and keeping it in a safe place is essential for due diligence during times such as fundraising and acquisitions.
- Equity allocation, or how the company’s stock is divided, is a crucial issue that founders must address and legally document.
- Protecting assets, such as intellectual property, is another important legal consideration, with founders typically assigning these assets to the company.
- Startups must also navigate legal requirements and considerations when raising money, hiring employees, and entering into contracts.