A founder leaves without vesting
A founder breakup can leave equity and company IP in dispute. A founders' agreement with a clear vesting structure sets the rules before contributions diverge.
Startup & Founder Legal Support
Legal rocket fuel for Singapore startups.
Your startup's legal foundation can shape the next funding round. Lee & Lim Advisory helps founders set up cleanly, agree responsibilities early, protect company IP, and prepare documents investors can review.
Build for the next round.
80+
startups advised
48h
possible incorporation time
S$15m
Series A case result
SG
Singapore-first advice
Investor-ready foundations
Clear ownership makes diligence easier.
Prevent the avoidable
The legal traps that stall startups
Small gaps become expensive when a co-founder leaves or an investor starts diligence. We deal with the structure before pressure arrives.
Clarity saves time.
The company does not own its IP
Code, designs, and customer materials need proper assignment documents. Investors look closely at ownership before committing capital.
Employment terms miss Singapore rules
Poor contracts can create disputes and Ministry of Manpower exposure. We set practical terms for employees, contractors, confidentiality, and IP.
The cap table cannot withstand diligence
Unrecorded promises and mismatched share records slow a round. We review the cap table, trace ownership, and prepare a clean explanation for investors.
Practical support
Startup legal toolbox
Choose the help your business needs now. We keep the documents usable as your team grows.
Good paperwork compounds.
Incorporation & structuring
ACRA registration, name reservation, share classes, director requirements, and a business setup plan for Singapore.
Founders' agreement
Roles, decision rights, equity splits, leaver terms, confidentiality, and a vesting structure that reflects real contributions.
IP assignment
Make sure software, inventions, brand assets, and other work created for the business belong to the company.
Cap table review
Clean up historic grants and promises before investor due diligence exposes gaps.
Fundraising support
Term sheet review, SAFE and convertible note guidance, and negotiation support for Singapore and cross-border rounds.
Employee share schemes
ESOP rules, grant documents, vesting mechanics, and records that remain clear as the team expands.
A clear first quarter
Your first 90 days, legally engineered
The order matters. We put the foundational decisions first, then prepare the company for its first serious investor conversation.
Start with the structure.
Week 1–2
Choose the right entity
Select the structure, reserve the name, confirm director requirements, and register the Singapore company.
Checklist: ACRA, shares, directors.
Week 3–4
Put founder commitments in writing
Agree roles, equity, vesting, IP assignments, employment terms, and decision-making rights.
Checklist: founders' agreement, IP, contracts.
Month 2
Make ownership easy to read
Build the cap table, record the initial vesting schedule, and set the groundwork for an ESOP.
Checklist: options, grants, records.
Month 3
Prepare for investor review
Organise the data room, review the term sheet, and check that financing documents match the agreed commercial terms.
Checklist: data room, term sheet, closing steps.
Case study
Series A ready: a fintech's legal journey
Three co-founders had uneven contributions and an outdated cap table. The company needed clean ownership before investor diligence.
A focused reset.
Lee & Lim Advisory restructured the equity with reverse vesting, completed the IP clean-up, and prepared an investor-ready ESOP. The fintech closed its S$15 million Series A six months later.
Sandar Carambas, fintech founder
Straight answers
Startup legal FAQ
Founders need a useful answer before they need a long memo.
Here are the essentials.
Do I need a Singapore-based director to incorporate?
A Singapore company generally needs at least one ordinarily resident director. We can explain the requirement and discuss practical options for foreign founders entering Singapore.
What's the standard vesting schedule?
A common structure is four years with a one-year cliff, but the right schedule depends on founder roles, prior work, funding plans, and the company's risk profile.
How do I protect my idea when pitching to investors?
Use confidentiality terms where appropriate, share only what the investor needs, and make sure your company owns the underlying IP before the pitch.
Can I use a standard SAFE from the US in Singapore?
A US template may not fit a Singapore company or its tax and securities context. We review the terms and adapt the document to the transaction and parties involved.
When should I register a trademark?
Check the name early, before spending heavily on a brand. Registration timing depends on the markets, goods, and services that matter to your launch.
How much does startup incorporation cost?
The total depends on the filing work, director arrangements, share structure, and supporting documents. Contact us for a scope based on your proposed setup.
Build your startup on a solid legal base
Tell us where the company stands, who is involved, and what the next funding milestone looks like. Lee & Lim Advisory will map the legal work that belongs in the next 90 days.
Make the first move.
Start Your Founder Legal Checkup