Legal support for startups and scale-ups in tech

At Kingsley Napley, we understand the many challenges faced by technology enabled businesses, whether you are a supplier or a customer.  Our cross-practice, deep expertise allows us to offer a wide range of services to guide and empower your business at every stage of its growth journey.
 

Our services

Raising funds and investing in startups

Our team of startup investment lawyers specialise in advising on investments into early stage tech startups. Our team provide early stage tech startups with the pragmatic, swift and strategic advice they need to navigate funding rounds and facilitate the long term growth of the business. Find out more by reading our Startup Investments page.

 

Mergers and acquisitions

Buying another business or being acquired is a significant step for a tech business and our lawyers provide timely, pragmatic and commercial advice on all aspects of your transaction, explaining technical terms and issues in clear language, rather than unnecessary legal jargon. Our team has considerable experience with complex and multi-jurisdictional transactions within the tech sector. We can help both sellers in respect of exits and buyers in respect of purchases.

 

Commercial and technology Contracts

Strong commercial contracts are vital for business success, ensuring clarity, risk management and balanced obligations.  In an ever-evolving business landscape, having the right legal partner is crucial.

Our experienced lawyers, drawn from private practice and senior in-house roles, assist companies of all sizes, from start-ups to multinationals, in navigating complex legal and regulatory challenges.

We provide end-to-end support on commercial contracts, ensuring your agreements are robust and aligned with your commercial objectives.

In the fast-moving tech sector, we stay ahead.  Our specialist technology lawyers advise on IT outsourcing, software licensing and development, IT service agreements, data protection, emerging tech (like AI) and more, helping you seize opportunities while mitigating legal risks.

Kingsley Napley is your trusted legal partner for navigating legal complexities in an increasingly digital world.

Find out more by reading our Commercial & Technology Contracts, Outsourcing & Data page.

 

Data Protection

Our specialist team can provide your organisation with properly targeted, well-rounded and expert legal advice to ensure that your business complies with its obligations under the UK GDPR and all ancillary privacy legislation.  Find out more on how we can keep your business compliant and secure in the digital age by reading our data protection compliance page.

Tech businesses often process vast amounts of personal data and so are particularly susceptible to cyber attacks and data breaches. Our data breach lawyers can advise you from the moment that a breach is first identified to the conclusion of the legal processes which may follow, with a view to minimising the financial and reputational damage which typically arises from data breaches. Find out more by reading our data breaches page.

 

Employment Law

Our employment team can work in partnership with you to recruit and retain the best talent and protect your business interests. Our work includes: drafting contracts, policies and procedures; global mobility; protection of confidential information and intellectual property; post termination restrictive covenants and team moves; exits and restructurings; grievances and disputes (including in relation to discrimination and whistleblowing); employee rights on transfers, M&A and re-organisations; and employee data privacy and GDPR. Find out more by reading our Employment Law page.

 

Immigration Support 

We understand the importance of attracting international talent to fuel the growth of tech startups, scaleups and public companies. Our dedicated immigration team is here to provide comprehensive support and strategic guidance to ensure a seamless process for hiring skilled professionals from overseas. Whether you need assistance with visa options, setting up a new UK business, relocating your existing business to the UK, or establishing a branch or subsidiary of a parent company, our experienced team is well-equipped to navigate the complexities and help you achieve your goals. Find out more by reading our Immigration Law page.

 

Dispute Resolution

In the event of disputes, our skilled litigators provide robust representation and mediation services to protect your interests and achieve the best possible outcome. We’re experts in advising clients in claims involving contractual disputes, intellectual property rights, insolvency (company and individual), contentious data protection, shareholder and board disputes and claims under the Commercial Agents Regulations. Find out more by reading our Dispute Resolution page.

 

In the Press

•  Short Of Tech Talent? Perhaps You’re Looking In The Wrong Places - Forbes, June 2023
• UK attractiveness to foreign tech entrepreneurs remains high - BusinessMatters, June 2023

 

We pride ourselves on taking a proactive approach, forging long-term relationships with our clients and business partners. Our team works with major organisations within the British tech ecosystem such as:

• Angel Academe
• Global Tech Connect
• Google for Startups Campus
• Bethnal Green Ventures

Some examples of our Work

Commercial Contracts

• Acting for a nuclear fusion startup in relation to the terms of a patent licence.
• Advising a Software-as-a-Service provider on its customer contracts in relation to its insurance claims management platform and professional services time management/recording platform.
• Acting for a web3 startup on its customer terms and conditions relating to its non-custodial web3 wallet software.
• Advising an aggregator of data relating to catastrophes, extreme weather and environmental risk on the sale of its assets.
• Acting for a photography ecommerce scaleup on amendments to its customer-facing terms and conditions.
• Advising a construction management SaaS startup on customer contracts relating to a new product offering.

Mergers and Acquisitions 

• Acting for the founders on a $20m sale of a technology business to a listed company 
• Advised on a founder exit and subsequent restructure
• Advising the shareholders of Plasma App Limited in relation to its sale to Meta Materials Inc, a NASDAQ listed company, for all-share consideration of US$20m 
• Advising the sellers of an edtech startup on the sale of the business
• Acting on a purchase of business and assets out of a company in administration

Raising Funds and Investing in Startups

• Acting for a mindfulness startup on a £550,000 equity raise 
• Acting for an angel investor on a £100,000 investment into a satellite communications services startup
• Advising a health teach startup on a £1.2m investment from VCs and angel investors 
• Advising a data tech startup on a £400,000 investment via advance subscription agreements 
• Advising a construction tech startup on a £1.3m investment from VCs and angel investors

Immigration Support

• Advising a fintech start up on the steps required to obtain a Skilled Worker sponsor licence against a very tight deadline, to include obtaining work permission for a senior staff member against a tight deadline
• Advising a multi-national corporation setting up an office in the UK and working with them to establish a corporate presence, to include the transferring of staff from abroad
• Advising and assisting a variety of highly skilled individuals on the steps required to obtain an endorsement through Tech Nation under the Global Talent route

Employment Law 

• Advising a tech start up working with charities on the termination of its COO
• Advising a marketing tech start up on employment contracts to be used throughout Europe
• Drafting contracts, policies and procedures for a global tech company
• Advice to the tech arm of a media company on use of employers of record for employment outside the UK

• Advising on employment aspects of multi-million pound deals for a large multi-national tech outsourcing company.

 

 CONTACT OUR TECHNOLOGY LAW TEAM  >