Introduction to Startup Law: The Essential Legal Guide for UK Founders (Autumn 2027)

September is one of the busiest months for UK founders launching or relaunching. Fresh from summer, with a full quarter ahead and 2028 planning starting to form, autumn is when many UK startups get their legal foundations in order.

This free live webinar with Michael Buckworth is the autumn edition of our flagship Introduction to Startup Law session. Same core content as January, refreshed with the latest 2027 legal updates.

What is startup law and why does it matter?

Startup law is the body of legal work that supports a UK startup from incorporation through fundraising, hiring, scaling and eventually exit. It covers company formation, share structures, intellectual property, employment, commercial contracts, tax reliefs like SEIS and EIS, and shareholder governance.

Every founder makes legal decisions in their first year, whether they realise it or not. Getting them right protects everything you build afterwards.

What you will learn

Michael will cover six themes over 60 minutes: UK Ltd structure and share classes, IP ownership and the founder IP assignment, SEIS and EIS eligibility, the core contracts every startup needs, founder vesting, and the six most common early mistakes.

This session is designed for UK founders and early-stage teams. Whether you are pre-revenue, pre-seed or scaling toward Series A, you will find practical guidance on the legal issues that matter most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same content as the January webinar?

The core content is the same but refreshed with 2027 legal updates and latest Buckworths case studies. Founders who attended in January and want a refresher are welcome. Founders who missed the January edition can catch up here.

Do I need a lawyer if I have already incorporated my UK startup?

Incorporation is only the first legal step. UK founders typically need a shareholders’ agreement, founder service agreements, IP assignments, employment contracts, customer terms and (if raising investment) SEIS/EIS advance assurance.

What is SEIS and EIS?

The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) are UK tax reliefs that give angel investors income tax and capital gains benefits when they invest in eligible early-stage companies.

What is founder vesting?

Founder vesting means that a founder’s shares are earned over time (typically 4 years with a 1-year cliff). If a founder leaves before their shares fully vest, unvested shares return to the company.

Do I need a shareholders’ agreement?

Yes. Shareholders’ agreements are designed for the moment relationships change or investors join. Signing when everyone is aligned is the cheapest time to do it.

Is this webinar suitable for pre-incorporation founders?

Yes. If you have not yet incorporated, this webinar will help you understand the decisions you will need to make when you do.

For legal support setting up your startup, get in touch with the Buckworths team.

About the speaker

Michael Buckworth is a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales and one of the UK’s most experienced lawyers working with founders. Over 20+ years he has advised hundreds of UK start-ups and scale-ups on the legal decisions that shape their growth, from first incorporation through to exit.

He is the author of Built on Rock: The busy entrepreneur’s legal guide to start-up success, an Amazon Best Seller written for UK founders. Michael has served as “entrepreneur in residence” at London South Bank University and University College London, is a regular speaker at UK start-up and scale-up events, and has been quoted on start-up law in The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Independent and City AM.

About the host

Buckworths is the UK’s only law firm working exclusively with start-ups and scale-ups. From incorporation and SEIS/EIS advance assurance to seed and Series A rounds, EMI share option schemes, commercial contracts, employment law and successful exits, we support UK founders at every stage of the start-up and scale-up journey.

In the heart of London’s tech quarter, we work with UK founders across every sector, from AI and deep-tech to SaaS, consumer, healthtech and fintech. Book a free consultation with our start-up lawyers at buckworths.com.

Practical info

— Format: Free live webinar on Zoom for UK start-up and scale-up founders

— Duration: 60 minutes including live Q&A with Michael Buckworth

— Cost: Free

— Places: Limited to 100 UK founders. Register early to secure your seat.

— Attendees will receive a recording after the event.