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start-ups
Schoenherr's experts provide legal advice throughout the lifecycle of a start-up.
Working with start-ups and investors requires a broad set of legal skills and experience. At Schoenherr our lawyers cover the full range of commercial legal services and are well-equipped and trained to handle all aspects that become relevant during the lifecycle of a start-up.
our services
We regularly advise investors and founders in Austria and CEE in various start-up-related matters, such as
- pre-incorporation support
- incorporation / foundation
- financing rounds (including pre-SEED and SEED)
- exit transactions, legal due diligence, structuring (including from a tax perspective)
- crowdfunding
- ip assignment agreements and other ip-related issues
- employment issues
- employee incentive programmes (ESOP, VSOP, PSOP, etc.)
- alternative forms of participation (silent partnerships, participation rights, hybrid/mezzanine capital)
- shareholder disputes, arbitration, litigation
- restructuring and refinancing
- subsidies and grants
- corporate venture capital activities
team
our team
A team of highly experienced lawyers advises start-ups and investors in all legal matters.
news
press release
Austria: Schoenherr advises Marathon Venture Capital on EUR 1.1m financing round for Straion FlexCo
Schoenherr advised the venture capital firm Marathon on the EUR 1.1m seed financing round for the Linz-based start-up Straion FlexCo. Straion FlexCo has developed an artificial intelligence solution that specialises in validating programmed code and assessing whether it complies with legal regulations and internal company guidelines.
publication
22 December 2025
M.Jendželovský R.Bicek O.Fiala M.Gremillot Š.Kopárek A.Kučerová R.Obert A.Prochazka O.Šimek
CZ: Schoenherr Journal Edition 19
The Schoenherr Journal, published by Schoenherr's Prague office, looks at significant new legal developments in the Czech Republic.
roadmap
SAFE agreements in Poland: neither simple nor particularly safe
A Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) allows an investor to fund a start-up in exchange for the promise of future equity, but only if specific events occur. What sets SAFEs apart is that they do not require the company to be valued at the time of investment. Instead, the parties agree on a future trigger event for when shares will be issued, often with a discount as a reward for early backing.
know-how
Start-up Financing Primer
This primer offers a general overview of (i) financing tools of start-ups, (ii) the structuring of corporate governance within a start-up, (iii) the structure of a typical venture capital transaction, (iv) employee participation programs and vesting terms as well as (v) start-up exits and provides answers to the key legal issues arising within the life cycle of a start-up for the following jurisdictions: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and Slovenia.