The Vispo Journal
Legal groundwork for founders — the documents behind raising a round, signing enterprise customers and staying compliant. Plus what we're building.
What Records Should a Delaware Startup Keep for Every Board Meeting?
A Delaware startup should keep one organized record set for every board meeting: the governing documents and notice record, the agenda and materials sent to directors, conflict disclosures,…
Read moreWhat Records Should a Delaware Startup Keep After Issuing Founder Stock?
A Delaware startup should keep one complete founder-stock file that connects the board authorization, signed purchase agreement, payment evidence, vesting terms, stock-ledger entry, securities-law…
Read moreWhat Legal Documents Does a Startup Need Before Incorporating in Delaware?
A startup should prepare more than a certificate of incorporation. Before filing, founders should settle the company name, authorized stock, registered agent, incorporator, initial board, founder…
Read moreWhat Legal Documents Does a Startup Need Before Open-Sourcing Its Code?
Open-sourcing code is a legal release, not just a repository setting. Before a startup makes a codebase public, it should be able to answer four questions in writing: Does the company own the code?…
Read moreWhat Legal Documents Does a Startup Need Before Bringing On Its First Advisor?
Before a US startup brings on its first advisor, it usually needs a written advisor agreement, documented board approval of any equity, a current valuation to price advisor options, clear…
Read moreWhat Legal Documents Does a Startup Need Before Its First Customer Pilot?
A startup preparing its first customer pilot usually needs a signed pilot agreement or order form, a clear statement of work, confidentiality terms, data-processing and security terms when customer…
Read moreWhat Legal Documents Does a Startup Need Before Its First Board Meeting?
A startup's first board meeting should approve the company’s basic operating authority and leave a clean written record of every decision. Prepare the charter and bylaws, director and officer…
Read moreWhat Legal Documents Does a Startup Need Before Launching a Customer Beta?
A US startup launching a customer beta should usually have a written beta or pilot agreement, accurate product terms, a privacy notice tied to the actual data flow, security and data-processing…
Read moreWhat Legal Documents Does a Startup Need Before Granting Its First Stock Options?
Before a US startup grants its first stock options, it should usually have a board-approved equity plan, a reserved pool of authorized shares, a current fair-market-value analysis, grant resolutions,…
Read moreWhat Legal Documents Does a Startup Need Before Adding a Co-Founder?
Before adding a co-founder, a US startup should document the role, decision rights, equity economics, vesting, intellectual-property ownership, confidentiality, and what happens if either founder…
Read moreWhat Legal Documents Does a Non-US Startup Need Before Entering the US Market?
A non-US startup entering the United States usually needs a documented entity and state-registration decision, federal and state tax registrations, customer and vendor contracts adapted for the US,…
Read moreWhat Legal Documents Does a Startup Need Before Hiring an Independent Contractor?
A US startup hiring an independent contractor should first document why the relationship is properly classified, then sign an agreement covering scope, payment, confidentiality, intellectual-property…
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