Scaleups

EMBARK.LAW isn’t just a service provider – they’re a true partner at our side. We can rely on them to think strategically with us and anticipate our needs, freeing us from constantly tracking what needs to be done. We’re also impressed by how they mix hard-hitting legal skills with a deep understanding for pragmatic solutions that really work for scaling startups.

Jan Rihak, Founder and CEO Europe Classtime AG (EdTech)

For Scaleups from Series A onward

No Startup Desk.
A Startup Law Firm.

From Series A onward, you need more than a startup desk that passes you around. You need a law firm that understands your needs and keeps up.

210+

startups and investors supported

330+ million CHF

in venture deals enabled

50+

Series A+ transactions facilitated

94%

retention rate for ongoing clients

The structural differences

Large Law Firm vs. EMBARK.LAW

Large law firm

Startup desk

EMBARK.LAW

Startups only

Mindset

Risk manager: “10 reasons it won’t work”.

Enabler: “Here’s how we make it happen”.

Priority

You compete with corporate clients (& lose).

Startups are our only focus. Always.

Expertise

Only the startup desk understands startups.

Our whole team lives and breathes startups.

Speed

Corporate pace, variable wait times.

Startup speed.

Startup speed.

Billing

5-minute increments & high invoices.

Fair & transparent, 20–30% cheaper.

Large law firm

Startup desk

EMBARK.LAW

Startups only

Mindset

Risk manager: “10 reasons it won’t work”.

Enabler: “Here’s how we make it happen”.

Priority

You compete with corporate clients (& lose).

Startups are our only focus. Always.

Expertise

Only the startup desk understands startups.

Our whole team lives and breathes startups.

Speed

Corporate pace, variable wait times.

Startup speed.

Startup speed.

Billing

5-minute increments & high invoices.

Fair & transparent, 20–30% cheaper.

ARE YOU SERIES A+ READY?

See where you stand before investors do. Check 24 areas that top Series A founders have already mastered and walk into your next round with the confidence of someone who’s done the work.

Why EMBARK.LAW

6 reasons why scaleups switch to us

From lawyer to specialist, our whole team is tuned into the startup ecosystem. We deliver clear, pragmatic advice at the speed you need.

Specialized

We pioneered as one of Switzerland’s first law firms to specialize entirely in the startup ecosystem. Our services and expertise are tailored to you.

Proactive and fast

Startups and scaleups 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.

Wachstumsphasen und die rechtlichen Implikationen

Von Gründung zu 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

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

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
LEGAL SHORTCUTS HAVE A PRICE TAG

Every skipped IP assignment, messy cap table, or missing ESOP ruling is legal debt — silently compounding until it detonates at your Series A or Exit.

Exclusive offer

Pre-Series A Legal Checkup

Before you raise your next round: We review your entire legal infrastructure and identify risks that could deter investors.

Cap table & shareholder agreement

IP ownership & license structures

Employment contracts & ESOP/VSOP

Data protection & compliance

Corporate housekeeping & governance

Straight-forward action recommendations

Competent and cost-efficient

EMBARK.LAW advised us in an extremely competent and cost-efficient way on a corporate law matter. Their in-depth expertise and international experience contributed significantly to our successful outcome.

We are delighted to have found an excellent law firm for future legal matters.

Daniel Niedermayer, CEO SolvencyAnalytics AG (RegTech)

Experts with startup DNA

Meet the Team

Céline Aeschlimann

VC & Startup Lawyer

Attorney-at-law admitted to practice in Switzerland, MLaw University of Bern

Michel Kertai

VC & Startup Lawyer

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

Dario Kvasnicka

Legal Advisor, Lead Growth & Business Innovation

MLaw Universities of Fribourg and Bern

Barbara Nägeli

Legal Advisor, Data Protection Specialist

cand. CAS ETH in AI & Software Engineering, CAS ETH in Data & ML, MLaw summa cum laude University of Fribourg

Jan Ritter

Legal Advisor Startups & VC, Lead Legal Engineering

Dr. iur. summa cum laude University of Fribourg

Tamara Roos

Legal Advisor Startups & VC

CAS Financial Markets Regulation, MLaw University of Fribourg

Tarik Salkim

Legal Advisor Startups & VC

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

Matthias Steinlin

VC & Startup Lawyer, IP Specialist

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

Armin Trautmann

VC & Startup Lawyer, M&A Specialist

Attorney-at-law admitted to practice in Switzerland, LL.M. King’s College London, MLaw University of Neuchâtel

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.