Our Track Record

150+

startups and investors supported

270+ million CHF

in venture deals enabled

94%

retention rate for ongoing clients

Countless

unsolicited happy client feedbacks, such as:

THE Law Firm for Startups

We founded Animatico in 2019 as an ETH spin-off with the mission to create the next-generation human-computer interface through stylized AI avatars. EMBARK.LAW was our go-to law firm from our seed round all through our exit. They helped us set up a solid IP strategy, created user-friendly customer contracts for us and managed our financing round professionally and smoothly. When Animatico was acquired by a US tech giant, they went all in for us and had our back during the negotiations. They delivered their usual excellent quality work all through the high-pressure, high-stakes process of the exit.

One thing we particularly valued when working with EMBARK.LAW were their simple and thorough explanations. Understanding all the details of the situation and their implications helped us take our decisions with confidence. We’re also grateful that they always made sure everybody knew who was doing what until when. Knowing that they were thinking along allowed us to free our minds for other things.

Pascal Bérard, Christian Schüller and Riccardo Roveri, co-founders Animatico AG (animated AI avatars)

What we can Do For You

Get your own legal team on stand-by, ready to take care of any legal matters for you. When you need it. As fast as you need it.

We specialize in long-term collaborations with startups aiming to scale, secure investments, and achieve successful exits. And if you invest in startups, we’ll streamline your process and protect your interests as you build and manage your portfolio.

While we’re at home in Swiss startup law, our wide network of international partners and our focus on cross-border transactions between Switzerland and the USA enable us to facilitate expansions and help incorporate key U.S. startup trends into your strategy.

For Startups

Incorporation

Financing
CLAs

Incentives
ESOP/VSOP

M&A
Exits

Intellectual property (IP)

Employees
Contractors

Expansion

USA-CH cross-border

Contracts

Data protection
GDPR

AI regulation

Compliance

For Startups

Incorporation

Financing
CLAs

Incentives
ESOP/VSOP

M&A
Exits

Intellectual property (IP)

Employees
Contractors

Expansion

USA-CH cross-border

Contracts

Data protection
GDPR

AI regulation

Compliance

For Investors

Term Sheet

Investment documentation

Investment negotiations

Due Diligence

Syndicates
Pooling

Funds

USA-CH cross-border investments

Knowledge sessions

General questions

For Investors

Term Sheet

Investment documentation

Investment negotiations

Due Diligence

Syndicates
Pooling

Funds

USA-CH investments

Knowledge sessions

Instrumental to our go-to-market strategy

We are very happy with the exceptional service provided by the team at EMBARK.LAW. They expertly managed our incorporation and company documentation. Their contract templates helped us streamline our processes, and their expertise in data protection regulations was instrumental to our go-to-market strategy. We recommend the team at EMBARK.LAW for their professionalism, expertise and partnership.

Joshua George, COO Egonym AG (image anonymization)

Why EMBARK.LAW

Specialised

We pioneered as one of Switzerland’s first law firms to spezialize entirely in startups and their investors. Our services and expertise are tailored to you.

Proactive and fast

Startups need to stay responsive. That’s why we’re proactive and anticipate your needs, so we can stay on top of things while moving fast.

International with a CH-US focus

With dual qualifications in Swiss and U.S. law, lots of experience in cross-border transactions, and a network of partners around the world, we’re ready to help you go international.

Dedicated to your UX

Your user experience is front and center for us. We’ll make your journey with us as easy and comfortable as possible.

Clear and to the point

We won’t quote the law and tell you “it depends”. You’ll get a straightforward answer in plain language.

Startup-friendly pricing

If you’re just starting out, we’ll dedicate a portion of our work on a pro bono basis to support you.

Some of the startups that teamed up with us:

Drone Harmony AG
Drone software

Client since 2018

Classtime AG
EdTech

Client since flip from USA

Capt’n Greenfin AG
Sustainable fishery

Client since incorporation

Logo Brame

Brame AG
MarTech

Client since 2022

Eleven Dynamics AG
Factory automation

Client since seed financing

Meet the Team

EMBARK Team: Michel Kertai

Michel
Kertai

Michel Kertai

VC & Startup Lawyer

Attorney-at-law, admitted to practice in Switzerland and California
Co-founder and managing director

Education

LL.M, UC Berkeley School of Law, California, USA
MLaw, University of St. Gallen, Switzerland

Languages

German, English, French, Hungarian

EMBARK Team: Barbara Nägeli

Barbara
Nägeli

Barbara Nägeli

Legal Advisor, Data Protection Specialist

Co-founder and member of the management team

Education

MLaw summa cum laude (with highest distinction), University of Fribourg, Switzerland

Languages

German, English, French

EMBARK Team: Audrey Benzow

Audrey
Benzow

Audrey Benzow

VC & Startup Lawyer

Attorney-at-law, admitted to practice in Switzerland
Member of the management team

Education

LL.M, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois, USA
MLaw, University of Zurich, Switzerland

Languages

German, English

EMBARK Team: Matthias Steinlin

Matthias
Steinlin

Matthias Steinlin

Of Counsel, IP Specialist

Attorney-at-law, admitted to practice in Switzerland

Education

PhD in Law summa cum laude (with highest distinction), University of Bern, Switzerland
MLaw, Universities of Bern, Switzerland and Paris-Descartes, France

Languages

German, French, English

EMBARK Team: Tarik Salkim

Tarik
Salkim

Tarik Salkim

Legal Advisor Startups & VC

Education

Dipl.-Jur., First State Exam (“erstes Staatsexamen”) with great distinction, Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg, Germany

Languages

German, English, Turkish

EMBARK Team: Dario Kvasnicka

Dario
Kvasnicka

Dario Kvasnicka

Legal Advisor, Lead Growth & Business Innovation

Education

MLaw, Universities of Fribourg and Bern, Switzerland

Languages

German, English, French, Indonesian

EMBARK Team: Jan Ritter

Jan
Ritter

Jan Ritter

Legal Advisor Startups & VC

Education

PhD in Law summa cum laude (with highest distinction), University of Fribourg, Switzerland
MLaw, University of Fribourg, Switzerland

Languages

German, English, French

EMBARK Team: Tamara Roos

Tamara
Roos

Tamara Roos

Legal Advisor Startups & VC

Education

CAS Financial Markets Regulation
MLaw, University of Fribourg, Switzerland

Languages

German, English

Want to work together?

Let’s turn your goals into action.