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Business Legal Services
Funding Round Legal Advice
Securing the best investment deal for founders
When it comes to investment, the right lawyers not only save you time and money but help structure your company so it’s optimised for future growth. As experts in supporting start-ups from their early growth stages through multiple funding rounds, joint ventures, acquisitions, and ultimately to exit, we always keep your long-term business goals in mind.
We’ve helped hundreds of entrepreneurs maximise the benefits of investment and safeguard their interests all while staying within budget.
What we do
Protecting your business interests
Our goal is to help you propel your company forward, guiding you through the investment process and helping secure a deal that enables your long-term objectives to stay on-track.
Whether it’s your first funding round or your Series C, preparation is essential when receiving external investment. Our lawyers have managed deals on behalf of VCs, so we understand what is needed to demonstrate that your business is a serious investment opportunity and get the right deal over the line.
Our first step will always be to get to know you and your business. From there we will:
Prepare and advise on the necessary formalities and documents, such as investment agreements, term sheets, articles of association and shareholders agreements required in a funding round.
Walk you through the steps needed to secure funding, including creating or amending your cap table.
Assist you with the due diligence process and help you collate the documents for your data room.
Ensure your business is funded in a tax efficient way by facilitating questions and discussing if it is necessary to take professional tax advice.
Put together a letter of intent during the initial stages of the investment cycle so that key terms are agreed early on between the investee and investor.
Explain the potential impact of employee share options on founders, investors and other stakeholders.
Advise you on how an investors legal requirements could affect your company and impact your decision-making.
Help you leverage your offering so that you qualify as a target for investors in tax-advantaged schemes. If there is any uncertainty, we can refer the matter to your tax advisors.
Help you learn and understand what investors expect from a deal and what the legal implications are for your company.
Clearly define any third-party involvement such as accountants, banks, existing shareholders, customers and regulatory bodies before you go any further.
Resolve any outstanding issues between you and your business partners, existing shareholders and investors.
Our process focuses on understanding your business model, sector, and future goals. Unlike transactional fundraising platforms that can’t offer legal guidance, our team ensures your documentation is correct and fit for your specific business needs from the start, preventing costly mistakes.
We also know when a situation may benefit from advice by our other practice areas and often collaborate with colleagues with commercial, employment, immigration, IP, and share scheme expertise.
Who we help
Founders and entrepreneurs
We work for founders and entrepreneurs who know that securing the right investment deal can be the catalyst to turn their business into a market leader.
As a client, we’ll help you get more from your funding than just access to capital; it’s about accelerating growth, leveraging expertise, expanding your network, and mitigating risks while positioning your venture for a strong exit.
We’re familiar with all the major players in the investment market like banks, venture capital firms and private equity houses, and we can advise early-stage businesses on the potential for crowdfunding.
Meet our team
Why choose our funding solicitors?
Many of us have not only worked for some of the most highly regarded law firms in the UK but also served as in-house legal counsel or senior leaders in businesses. Several of our team have worked in VC firms so we know what it takes to balance the needs of investors with your need to run your business.
This experience enables us to provide practical, efficient support, reducing your exposure to risk. We’ll get the right deal for you over the line as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Find out more about who you’ll be working with:
Testimonials
What our clients say
Our clients have peace of mind knowing that we provide fit for purpose solutions rather than one-size-fits-all answers. Hear from those we’ve supported through the investment process.
What attracted me to Harper James was the pricing model they have in place. It means we get access to top legal professionals at prices we can afford. In our most recent funding round, the support we received was vital.
Mikhil Raja
CEO,
SonicJobs
It was delightful working with Stephen and Callum on the fundraise. As an ex-investment banker, I’ve worked with many law firms and the legal process can be quite painful. We wanted to make sure our investors were protected and there were no delays with the raise. The fundraise was executed smoothly and Stephen and Callum were both very helpful. Callum was extremely bright. They both pointed out lots of things that we had missed.
Hana Salussolia
Chief Operating Officer,
Medisonal
The flexibility of the enterprise plan works perfectly for us as a growing start-up. It’s like having your own in-house counsel without spending a fortune like other firms charge. Working with Callum Giliker on this funding round was incredibly easy and straightforward. Callum understood all our needs without us even having to voice it.
Dr. Francesco Colacino
Co-Founder and CEO,
Rheality
The team provide great support throughout the funding process, providing straightforward and clear guidance on the issues to be addressed at each stage. The team was always at hand to make sure that that we understood what needed to be done to reach a successful outcome.
Chris Evans
CEO,
Kobus Services
We were very impressed by the efficiency of the service we received. Having strong legal service support in place is vital for any business entering into a funding round.
Alexis Rog
Co-founder,
Sikoia
When I first spoke to Harper James, I was coming at things as an aspiring start-up with very little money in my pocket. But Jas and the team were able to help me to decide what the priorities were in the legal services I needed and made sure they were put in place. Their support in the funding rounds we’ve gone through has been invaluable. I’d definitely recommend Harper James.
Abhishek Nakhate
Founder,
Zoom Abroad
As a young and growing fintech company, there have been a number of legal matters that we have needed to manage; such as client contracts, employment contracts and fund raising from investors. We’ve used Harper James for around a year and they have provided us with very valuable support through several lenses, not least in our funding round in late 2017, where we raised £1million and Harper James managed the legal side of the transaction. We recommend them without hesitation.
Gareth Morgan
Chief Risk and Compliance Officer,
Delio
We rely on Harper James to provide us with support across a full range of service areas, from commercial contracts and employment issues to fundraisings and investments. The team at Harper James are always available to provide us with cost effective, pragmatic and commercially focused advice.
Nick Holzherr
CEO,
Whisk.com
When we were in the process of raising funds for our business venture, we were fortunate enough to have the support of Harper James. Their advice and guidance were extremely beneficial to us, and we’ve been impressed by their responsive service.
TJ Herbert
CEO and Founder,
Itchy Fish
We’d like to thank Harper James for all of their support throughout the investment deal process. As well as providing vital legal advice, Adam and the team at Harper James gave us guidance on the next steps of our growth, and we look forward to working with the team on a variety of projects in the future.
Scott Clifford
Founder,
Oneskee
It’s been excellent working with Stephen, he’s made every investment round extremely straight-forward and he understands our needs completely, while explaining the legals without the legal jargon. He’s only a phone call away which keeps us reassured. Previously, we’ve had to go through many hurdles when working with traditional law firms. You don’t get that at Harper James.
Reece Chowdhry
Founder & Partner,
Concept Ventures
Jenni Ferguson advised us in relation to our investment and on various agreements. She was brilliant, gave very practical advice, and was excellent at helping us achieve our objectives with the relevant investment. Jenni was very responsive, turned work around quickly, was approachable, and she was able to summarise and articulate complex legal issues very well and clearly, providing practical and commercial advice.
Eamon McCarthy-Keen
Angel Investor,
Investible Limited
What attracted me to Harper James was the pricing model they have in place. It means we get access to top legal professionals at prices we can afford. In our most recent funding round, the support we received was vital.
Mikhil Raja
CEO,
SonicJobs
It was delightful working with Stephen and Callum on the fundraise. As an ex-investment banker, I’ve worked with many law firms and the legal process can be quite painful. We wanted to make sure our investors were protected and there were no delays with the raise. The fundraise was executed smoothly and Stephen and Callum were both very helpful. Callum was extremely bright. They both pointed out lots of things that we had missed.
Hana Salussolia
Chief Operating Officer,
Medisonal
The flexibility of the enterprise plan works perfectly for us as a growing start-up. It’s like having your own in-house counsel without spending a fortune like other firms charge. Working with Callum Giliker on this funding round was incredibly easy and straightforward. Callum understood all our needs without us even having to voice it.
Dr. Francesco Colacino
Co-Founder and CEO,
Rheality
The team provide great support throughout the funding process, providing straightforward and clear guidance on the issues to be addressed at each stage. The team was always at hand to make sure that that we understood what needed to be done to reach a successful outcome.
Chris Evans
CEO,
Kobus Services
We were very impressed by the efficiency of the service we received. Having strong legal service support in place is vital for any business entering into a funding round.
Alexis Rog
Co-founder,
Sikoia
When I first spoke to Harper James, I was coming at things as an aspiring start-up with very little money in my pocket. But Jas and the team were able to help me to decide what the priorities were in the legal services I needed and made sure they were put in place. Their support in the funding rounds we’ve gone through has been invaluable. I’d definitely recommend Harper James.
Abhishek Nakhate
Founder,
Zoom Abroad
As a young and growing fintech company, there have been a number of legal matters that we have needed to manage; such as client contracts, employment contracts and fund raising from investors. We’ve used Harper James for around a year and they have provided us with very valuable support through several lenses, not least in our funding round in late 2017, where we raised £1million and Harper James managed the legal side of the transaction. We recommend them without hesitation.
Gareth Morgan
Chief Risk and Compliance Officer,
Delio
We rely on Harper James to provide us with support across a full range of service areas, from commercial contracts and employment issues to fundraisings and investments. The team at Harper James are always available to provide us with cost effective, pragmatic and commercially focused advice.
Nick Holzherr
CEO,
Whisk.com
When we were in the process of raising funds for our business venture, we were fortunate enough to have the support of Harper James. Their advice and guidance were extremely beneficial to us, and we’ve been impressed by their responsive service.
TJ Herbert
CEO and Founder,
Itchy Fish
We’d like to thank Harper James for all of their support throughout the investment deal process. As well as providing vital legal advice, Adam and the team at Harper James gave us guidance on the next steps of our growth, and we look forward to working with the team on a variety of projects in the future.
Scott Clifford
Founder,
Oneskee
It’s been excellent working with Stephen, he’s made every investment round extremely straight-forward and he understands our needs completely, while explaining the legals without the legal jargon. He’s only a phone call away which keeps us reassured. Previously, we’ve had to go through many hurdles when working with traditional law firms. You don’t get that at Harper James.
Reece Chowdhry
Founder & Partner,
Concept Ventures
Jenni Ferguson advised us in relation to our investment and on various agreements. She was brilliant, gave very practical advice, and was excellent at helping us achieve our objectives with the relevant investment. Jenni was very responsive, turned work around quickly, was approachable, and she was able to summarise and articulate complex legal issues very well and clearly, providing practical and commercial advice.
Eamon McCarthy-Keen
Angel Investor,
Investible Limited
Pricing plans
Legal support designed
to fit your business needs
Our three transparent pricing packages are designed to give you the widest possible access to high-quality legal advice, whatever the size and nature of your business:
City
Straightforward access to senior solicitors at a competitive rate.
An affordable solution for businesses needing one-off legal support. Receive ‘City’ partner-level expertise at a fraction of ‘City’ prices.
Enterprise
Have legal peace of mind for £215 per month with additional support from £145 per hour.
A monthly subscription legal support package specifically designed for start-ups and smaller businesses.
On-Demand
Providing you with priority access to a dedicated panel of highly experienced solicitors.
Fully account managed quarterly subscription service for businesses with more complex legal needs.
Understanding the funding process
Discover more about the funding process by reading our latest guides. We cover crucial topics like angel investment, seed and series A rounds, giving you the insights needed to confidently navigate your funding round.