Our Track Record

210+

startups and investors supported

330+ 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

When stakes are high, generic legal advice won’t cut it. You need a lawyer who thinks like you and understands the challenges ahead.

That’s where we come in. As one of Switzerland’s first law firms dedicated entirely to the startup ecosystem, we specialize in long-term collaborations with startups focused on scaling, securing investments, and achieving successful exits, as well as with angel investors, VCs and corporate venture funds.

With years of experience in startup law and a team consisting largely of current and former entrepreneurs and angel investors, we bring a true startup mindset to everything we do. You’ll get clear advice, honest communication, and the specialized support you need.

While we’re at home in Swiss startup law, our large network of international partners and our special expertise in U.S. law allow us to facilitate expansions and cross-border transactions.

Our commitment is simple: to be the best possible lawyers for startups and investors.

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 (AI image anonymization)

Services

For Startups and Scaleups

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 and Scaleups

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

Growth stages and their legal implications

From foundation to exit

Idea and incorporation

The founding phase sets the course. Mistakes here become expensive later.

  • Founding advice
  • Incorporation
  • Founder/Shareholder agreement
  • IP assignments
  • Founder employment contracts
  • Corporate governance setup

Pre-Seed / Seed

Things start to get more complicated: first investors, new employees, more contracts.

  • ESOP/VSOP
  • Customer contract standardization
  • Freelancer compliance check
  • Employee matters
  • Seed-round structuring and due diligence support
  • Data protection and compliance

Early-stage startups

Exit

The company gets ready to be sold. Founders transition into a new phase of their lives.

  • M&A
  • Exit structuring and negotiations
  • Due diligence readiness
  • IPO readiness
  • Founder transition
  • Post-merger integration

Exit

The company gets ready to be sold. Founders transition into a new phase of their lives.

  • M&A
  • Exit structuring and negotiations
  • Due diligence readiness
  • IPO readiness
  • Founder transition
  • Post-merger integration

Series A, B, C and expansion

The company scales, legal requirements explode: enterprise deals, multiple jurisdictions, compliance…

  • Financing round structuring and due diligence support
  • Employee matters
  • Data protection and compliance
  • International structuring and subsidiary setup
  • M&A
  • Dispute resolution

Series A, B, C and expansion

The company scales, legal requirements explode: enterprise deals, multiple jurisdictions, compliance…

  • Financing round structuring and due diligence support
  • Employee matters
  • Data protection and compliance
  • International structuring and subsidiary setup
  • M&A
  • Dispute resolution

Scaleups

Ready for the next step?

No matter which phase – we’ve got you covered.

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 round

CustomSurg AG
MedTech

Client since 2023

Why EMBARK.LAW

Specialized

We pioneered as one of Switzerland’s first law firms to specialize 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.

Commited 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 our partners:

Meet the Team

Experts with startup DNA

Michel Kertai

VC & Startup Lawyer

Attorney-at-law admitted to practice in Switzerland and California, LL.M UC Berkeley, MLaw University of St. Gallen

More about Michel

Barbara Nägeli

Legal Advisor, Data Protection Specialist

CAS ETH in Data & Machine Learning, MLaw summa cum laude University of Fribourg

More about Barbara

Matthias Steinlin

VC & Startup Lawyer, IP Specialist

Attorney-at-law admitted to practice in Switzerland, Dr. iur. summa cum laude University of Bern

More about Matthias

Tarik Salkim

Legal Advisor Startups & VC

Dipl.-Jur. with great distinction Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg

More about Tarik

Dario Kvasnicka

Legal Advisor, Lead Growth & Business Innovation

MLaw Universities of Fribourg and Bern

More about Dario

Jan Ritter

Legal Advisor Startups & VC, Lead Legal Engineering

Dr. iur. summa cum laude University of Fribourg

More about Jan

Tamara Roos

Legal Advisor Startups & VC

CAS Financial Markets Regulation, MLaw University of Fribourg

More about Tamara

Ready for the next step?

Tell us about your plans. We’ll get back to you asap with an initial assessment and a meeting proposal.