Business Legal Services
Funding Round Legal Advice
Securing the best investment deal for founders
When it comes to investment, experienced legal counsel can materially improve both the outcome of a deal and the long-term trajectory of a business. Our team advises founders, management teams, investors and funds on hundreds of investment transactions every year, from pre-seed and Series A rounds through to later-stage growth investments, joint ventures, acquisitions and exits. With deep experience acting for both investees and investors, we understand the commercial drivers on all sides of the table and help founders secure investment on terms that support future growth, protect value and avoid unnecessary complexity down the line.
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.
Finding the right legal partner
Why work with Harper James
Choose a legal partner you can trust: we’ll help protect your goals, your business and your people so you can move forward with confidence and focus on growing your business.
Affordable, transparent and predictable pricing
Clear itemised invoices, subscription plans with up to 50% discount, and fixed fee products help you plan and manage legal spend – with no nasty surprises.
Proven track record and measurable results
We’ve supported over 8,000 businesses since 2014, with an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot and a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 60+ from monthly client surveys.
Straight-talking, responsive advice
We’re here to make things easier, not add complexity. That means fast response times, practical expert legal advice delivered in plain English, and dedicated client service and account management support.
Risk and compliance assured
We’re an SRA regulated firm, but more importantly, we build quality, data, and compliance best practice into everything we do.
Appointing a legal partner is a big decision. That’s why we’re open about our values, culture and model, so you can see what makes us tick. And because a productive partnership starts with understanding, we always begin with a conversation – listening to your goals, pressures and plans, then tailoring our support to fit.
Pricing and service plans
Legal support designed
to fit your business needs
Our three transparent service plans are designed to give you the widest possible access to high-quality legal advice, whatever the size and nature of your business:
Engage
Flexible access to senior solicitors at highly competitive rates
An alternative to our subscription plans, offering access to full service legal expertise on a project-by-project basis.
Enable
Purpose built legal support for start-ups and smaller businesses
Monthly subscription plan for £239 per month, with £159 monthly credit and access to all legal services at 50% discount on our Standard Rates.
Extend
Comprehensive legal partnership for established businesses
Fully account managed and scalable annual subscription plan with support from a curated team of partners and senior solicitors, with up to 33% discount on our Standard Rates.
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.
