LEXR

Hello founders! 👋 Welcome back to Friday for Founders! Today, we’re diving into Trademarks and how they protect your brand identity 🛡️ What is a Trademark? Trademarks cover your brand name, logo, and slogan. Keep in mind that domain names aren’t protected as trademarks, but securing your domain early is crucial since your website is often the first touchpoint for your brand. How to choose your Trademark? Before finalizing your brand name or logo, do your research: ▪️ Check the commercial register  ▪️ Search the Swiss Trademark Database  ▪️ Look into international trademark registers  ▪️ Verify available domain names    Avoid descriptive names (e.g. “creamy” for an ice cream brand), as they are harder to protect. How to protect your Trademark? ➡️ Register: Register your brand name, logo, and domain in the regions relevant to your business. ➡️ Renew: Trademarks need to be renewed every 10 years in Switzerland and be renewed indefinitely. Don’t forget this, or you risk losing your protection. ➡️ Monitor: Keep an eye out for any misuse of your trademark and take action if needed. Remember, trademark registration is geographical.  Registering in Switzerland won’t protect your brand in the EU or USA.  Focus on the regions that matter most to your business—global coverage can be costly. Got questions? Feel free to reach out to me via DM. Episode 9 Teaser: Terms & Conditions. Next week, we’ll dive into terms & conditions and why they’re essential for your business. Stay tuned and see you next week! 

We’re excited to welcome Beatrice Waser to the LEXR team! 🌟 As a Junior Associate in our Corporate & VC Transactions team, Beatrice will support startups, investors, and businesses with their corporate and venture capital matters. She holds a master's in law from the University of Zurich and brings valuable experience from a commercial law firm in Zurich. Welcome aboard, Beatrice! 🚀 

M&A in DeFi? We've got it covered. 🪙 We’re excited to announce that LEXR has successfully guided Enzyme through its acquisition of a majority stake in MYSO Finance. This innovative token-based M&A transaction was handled by our blockchain experts Florian Prantl and Christian Meisser, as well as our M&A specialists Yannick Bucher and Elie Bourdilloud. They ensured the deal was executed smoothly, while Silvan Amberg provided essential tax support. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eDi8jvvm

Hello founders! 👋 Welcome back to Friday for Founders! Today, we’re diving into Data Processing Agreements (DPA) and why they’re crucial for your business 🛡️. Here’s what you need to know: What is a Data Processing Agreement (DPA)? A DPA is a contract between a data controller and a data processor that outlines how personal data is handled.  It ensures data processing is secure and compliant with the law. What does it include? A DPA typically covers: ✅ The purposes and duration of data processing.  ✅ The categories of personal data processed and the data subjects involved.  ✅ Whether sub-processing is authorized.  ✅ Processor obligations, like following written instructions, implementing technical measures, and notifying the controller within 24 hours in case of a data breach. Often, a DPA is part of an existing contract, like a service agreement with a hosting provider. When do I need a DPA? ➡️ GDPR: If you operate under the GDPR, you need a DPA with every third-party processor. Not having one can lead to fines.  ➡️ FADP: Under the FADP, a separate DPA isn’t required, but your contract should include a clause covering data processing obligations. This clause can be included in existing contracts. Need a DPA? Generate one for free with our DPA Generator: https://lnkd.in/ebYsugEF Got questions? Feel free to reach out to me via DM. Episode 8 Teaser: Trademarks. Next week, we’ll dive into how you can secure your brand and protect it with trademarks. Stay tuned and see you next week! #FridayForFounders

🚀 Founders of early-stage SaaS startups, this one's for you! Join us for a free webinar where our expert lawyers, Yoann Garraux and Nicoletta Iurilli, will guide you through the essentials of B2B contracts. From setting up professional legal structures to negotiating corporate contracts, we’ll equip you with practical strategies to protect your business and drive growth. Don’t miss out on actionable insights that will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your agreements work in your favour. 📅 When: Wednesday, 11 September 2024  👥 Who should attend: Founders and teams of early-stage SaaS startups 🔗 Where to sign up: https://lnkd.in/dH39RGMu  

Dominic Kofler joined LEXR as an Interim Junior Associate three months ago, in between his written and oral bar exam. In this career story, he shares his journey from litigation to corporate law, discusses his role on the VC & Transactions team, what it's like working at LEXR, and how he quickly adapted to new challenges. Curious about his experience? Read the full story here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eR_ixbFX

Hello founders! 👋Welcome back to Friday for Founders! Today, we’re talking about the Shareholders’ Agreement (SHA) and why it’s the backbone of your startup 🚀 What is a Shareholders’ Agreement (SHA)? A SHA is a contract between shareholders that outlines how the company will be run, and sets out rights, obligations, as well as decision-making processes. It’s essential for keeping everyone aligned. Why is it important? The SHA ensures: ☑️ Fair treatment and protection of all shareholders.  ☑️ Safeguards for specific roles, like founders and minority shareholders.  ☑️ Control over who can become a shareholder and under what terms shares can be sold, using mechanisms like right-of-first-refusal (ROFR), drag-along, and tag-along rights. When do I need a SHA? You need a SHA as soon as there’s more than one shareholder—often at incorporation.  Remember, with each financing round, the SHA may need to be updated as new investors negotiate terms. Key provisions: ♦ Founder vesting: What happens if a founder leaves early? Ensure shares are earned over time based on continued involvement.  ♦ Board setup and decision rights: Who’s on the board and what decisions require specific approvals (e.g., CEO termination)?  ♦ Purchase options: Allow shareholders to buy back shares if a founder leaves under certain conditions (e.g., “bad leaver” scenarios).  ♦ Right-of-First-Refusal (ROFR): Before selling to an outsider, t a shareholder must offer shares to existing shareholders first.  ♦ Drag-Along:  Allows the majority to compel minority shareholders to sell if the company is being fully acquired.  ♦ IP Assignment: Ensures any IP created by founders or shareholders is assigned to the company.  ♦ Non-Compete/Non-Solicitation: Prevents shareholders from competing with the company or poaching key employees. Got questions? Reach out to me via DM. Episode 7 Teaser: Next week, we’ll dive into Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) and when you need one in place. Stay tuned and see you next week! #FridayForFounders

Meet Ben 🌟 We’re thrilled to welcome Ben Lenzen to the LEXR team! Ben is taking on the role of managing our office operations, streamlining processes, and boosting our sales efforts. He'll be working part-time while completing his Master's in Economics & Management at the University of Zurich. We’re happy to have you, Ben, and we look forward to working with you! 🚀

Hello founders! 👋 Welcome back to Friday for Founders! Today, we’re covering 5 employment basics that can save you money 💸. HR might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of saving money, but getting these employment agreements right can make a big difference in your startup’s finances. Here’s what to keep in mind: 1️⃣ Extend the probation period to the maximum of 3 months A 3-month probation gives you more time to assess new hires. During this period, the termination notice is just 7 days, giving you flexibility if things don’t work out. 2️⃣ Limit the termination notice to 1 month, effective anytime during the month Keeping the notice period to the legal minimum of 1 month, and allowing termination to be effective during the month can prevent unnecessary salary costs. Let’s look at two scenarios: Example A: Statutory notice periods ➡️ Employee is terminated on June 30th with a statutory 2-month notice. The contract should end on August 31st.  ➡️ Employee falls sick for 2 days in July, pushing the end date to September 2nd. However, since contracts usually end at the end of a month, the contract now ends on September 30th.  ➡️ Result: The company pays 3 months of salary instead of 2. Example B: 1-month notice, Effective during the month ➡️ Employee is terminated on June 30th with a 1-month notice. The contract should end on July 31st.  ➡️ Employee falls sick for 2 days in July, delaying the end date to August 2nd.  ➡️ Result: The contract ends on August 2nd, and the company pays 1 month and 2 days of salary instead of 3 full months. 3️⃣ Make sure IP is assigned to the company  All intellectual property (IP) created during employment belongs to the company. If founders or key employees created IP before formal employment, ensure it’s transferred to the company as well. 4️⃣ Clearly define bonus payments If your bonus structure isn’t specific (e.g., sales-based), make it clear that any bonus payments are discretionary and not guaranteed in the future. This helps to avoid misunderstandings and potential disputes down the line. 5️⃣ Sign your employment agreements with wet-ink signatures Ensure the validity of your employment agreements, especially changes to notice periods, by using wet-ink signatures. If you initially sign the contract digitally, make sure to sign two copies in wet ink on the first day—one for the employee and one for company records. Need an employment agreement? Generate one for free with our Employment Agreement Generator: https://lnkd.in/ebYsugEF Got questions? Feel free to reach out via DM. Episode 6 Teaser: Next week, we’re diving back into corporate topics with a look at one of the most important documents for any company: the Shareholders’ Agreement. Stay tuned and see you next week! #FridayForFounders

We’re excited to welcome Luca Grand! 🚀 Luca has joined us part time as a Junior Associate, and will work in the Tech, Contracts & IP team and also support our notary. With a strong background in law and a passion for technology, Luca is now taking his expertise even further by starting a master's in computer science this September. Welcome aboard, Luca! Happy to have you with us 💫