Business Legal Services
Pre-Seed & Seed Funding Legal Support
Be investor-ready, protect your business and secure the best possible investment terms.
Embarking on your first funding round can be daunting – but we’re here to guide you through it. Whether you’re raising pre-seed from friends and family or seeking sector-savvy investors, our team will help you navigate your options, understand the risks, and make informed decisions.
We’ll ensure your business is legally sound and investor-ready from day one – all while helping you cut costs through our flexible subscription plans. As you grow your team, develop your product, and scale operations, we’ll be by your side to build the right legal foundations. Our goal is to protect you and secure the best possible investment terms for your business.
The legal partner your start-up can rely on
Protecting your business interests and reassuring investors
Raising pre-seed or seed investment is a pivotal moment for any founder. Up to now, you may have relied on personal savings, support from friends and family, or informal backing from angel investors, but bringing institutional investors on board is a different step entirely. It can feel overwhelming but getting it right from the start is key. A strong legal foundation not only protects your business but also gives investors’ confidence that you’re prepared, credible, and ready to grow.
Our team will ensure your business is legally compliant, from corporate filings to contracts and IP ownership, and investor-ready, guiding you through every stage, from choosing the right investment structure to preparing for due diligence and setting up data rooms. We’ll take care of the legal complexities, so you can stay focused on growing your business.
As part of our support, we will:
Advise how different funding options (debt, convertible loans, equity, quasi-equity) may impact your business long-term.
Explain funding stages from seed onwards, so you understand what each means for your growth and prospects.
Guide you step-by-step through the funding process.
Assist with company valuation, creating capitalisation tables, and reviewing your business plan to meet regulatory and investor requirements.
Help you evaluate whether an investor is the right fit based on sector, track record, and risks.
Advise on eligibility for tax-advantaged schemes like Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes (SEIS), including obtaining advanced assurance and issuing tax relief certificates.
Prepare your company for due diligence and address issues raised by potential investors.
Resolve outstanding matters with business partners, existing shareholders, or investors, such as defining founder roles, shareholders’ agreements, and formalising loans or service agreements.
Clarify intellectual property rights ownership and registrations, establishing a clear IPR strategy to demonstrate business value.
Document and resolve any third-party involvement, whether contributions, loans, or work, to ensure obligations are properly managed.
Explain how state aid or grant funding interacts with your investment to maintain qualifying criteria.
Ensure your funding is tax-efficient by facilitating discussions and advising when professional tax advice is needed.
Advise on, prepare, or update key legal documents required to complete the fundraise, including shareholders’ agreements, Articles of Association, and service contracts.
Explain the impact of employee share options on founders, investors, and stakeholders.
Understanding the investment process
What can I expect when working with Harper James?
We’ve refined our process having done it hundreds of times before, removing unnecessary stress and ensuring a smooth, fast transaction.
Here’s the steps you can expect when working with us:
- We’ll have an initial call to discuss your matter.
- We’ll help you resolve any historical matters that need to be dealt with before any new funding is received.
- We’ll prepare a term sheet setting out the material terms of the investment which the investor can sign. This then limits the negotiation of the long form documents.
- We’ll prepare your share cap table to calculate the dilution on completion of your funding round.
- We’ll make an application to HMRC for advance assurance for SEIS/EIS relief.
- We’ll prepare a document list setting out all documents required to be entered into to complete your investment round.
- We’ll draft your documents and negotiate these to final form.
- We’ll prepare ancillary documents required to complete your round.
- We’ll provide assistance with the signature process by collecting signatures electronically via DocuSign.
- We’ll assist with post completion matters, including filings at Companies House, updating register of members and HMRC notifications in respect of your shareholders claiming SEIS/EIS relief.
Why work with our specialist funding solicitors?
We keep things simple and cost-effective
We know your time is valuable and you want to stay focused on growing your business. That’s why we cut through legal complexity and offer clear, practical advice, at rates designed for start-ups and scale-ups like yours.
We understand what funders are looking for
We’ve supported hundreds of funding deals. We know what investors expect at every stage, and we’ll help you meet those expectations while protecting your business interests.
We’ll help you protect your equity early on
It’s easy to give away too much too soon. We’ll help you structure fair and future-proof arrangements so you can grow your business without losing control.
We’ll help make your business investor-ready
We know what makes a business appealing to investors. We’ll guide you on the right funding options and help you present a strong case that attracts the right backing.
We’re experts in SEIS and EIS tax relief
These schemes can give you and your investors a real financial advantage. We’ll show you how to qualify and make the most of the benefits.
Who we help
Founders and entrepreneurs of ambitious businesses
We specialise in supporting founders and entrepreneurs of early-stage high growth businesses who are ready to scale. Our expertise covers every step of the investment journey from navigating pre seed and seed rounds to preparing for larger venture capital investments. We work closely with key players across the investment market including banks, venture capital firms and private equity houses, ensuring you have access to the right partners and advice at every stage.
In addition, we guide founders through alternative funding options such as crowdfunding, helping you understand its potential benefits and risks for your business. Whether you are refining your pitch, structuring your deal or preparing for due diligence, our tailored legal support is designed to help ambitious founders secure the investment they need to grow confidently and sustainably.
Meet our team
Why choose us?
Unlike purely transactional online fundraising platforms, which do not provide legal guidance, we ensure your documentation is tailored from the start saving you costly mistakes. Our services are often 30 to 50 percent cheaper than those platforms offering both cost savings and peace of mind through comprehensive legal support.
By working with us you avoid the risk of paying twice for errors and gain a trusted partner dedicated to your success.
We support start-ups at a critical growth stage providing transparent pricing and expert partner level legal advice at a fraction of traditional law firm costs. We understand the importance of protecting your interests while managing cash flow, so you get legal support from a team as passionate about your business as you are.
Find out more about who you’ll be working with:
Testimonials
What our clients say
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.
