Legal Acceleration for Startups
With the mission of providing high-quality legal support to Startups, GT Lawyers connects innovation, legal security, and international expansion with the La French Tech ecosystem.
Register
ATTENTION: In addition to answering the questions in the form below, the company must send the following documents, when applicable, to the project’s email (techstart@gtlawyers.com.br): (i) business plan; (ii) incorporation documents; (iii) institutional materials; (iv) materials for investment/business fundraising; and (v) materials regarding the Startup’s products and solutions.
Introduction
GT Lawyers is immensely pleased to present a project that reflects our commitment to development and innovation, specifically focused on the acceleration of startups through high-quality legal advisory – our unique advantage!
We believe that by combining our legal expertise and consolidated experience across various areas of Law, we can significantly contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem, further strengthening commercial ties and growth opportunities between Brazil and France.
Tanzilli – Sociedade de Advogados.
Overview
GT TechStart was designed to serve early-stage and growth-stage startups, providing tailored solutions under a one-stop-shop. This means that startups will have our support in corporate law (including angel or venture capital investment rounds), business contracts, data protection, real estate, tax planning/tax consulting, as well as labor law advisory. This comprehensive approach ensures that startups have access to a broad portfolio of legal services that contribute to their solidity and sustainable growth.
Furthermore, recognizing the complexity of the business environment and the need for comprehensive consulting for the development and maturity of each startup, we are also committed to actively supporting the identification of and connection with qualified market partners, such as regulatory, environmental, accounting, financial, and other specialized consultants – who, however, will charge their own fees.
Strategic Objectives
Facilitate Internationalization: Prepare startups to access international markets – especially the French market for Brazilian startups, and the Brazilian market for French startups – with compatible legal structures and tailored solutions.
Foster Strategic Connections: Promote networking with relevant economic partners within the France-Brazil axis.
Boost Sustainable Growth: Create legal solutions with direct support from senior partners, ensuring customization and impact on startup results.
Boost Post-Program Strategies: Retain startups with continuous legal support agreements for maintaining results and scalability.
Selection Criteria
Brazilian or French-speaking startups, or startups demonstrating genuine potential or interest in expanding their operations into international markets, will be eligible for GT TechStart.
Registered startups will be evaluated based on objective and qualitative criteria, including:
- Degree of innovation and market relevance: Innovative and scalable solutions with potential to compete in strategic sectors in Brazil and France.
- Technical and business viability: The business model must be viable, and the startup team must demonstrate the ability to execute the presented business plan for the short and long term.
- Synergy with the program: Clear demonstration of how the startup's legal needs align with and can benefit from GTLawyers' areas of specialization, aiming to optimize business structuring and expansion.
Due Diligence
How do we ensure the integrity and security of GT TechStart?
To ensure the integrity and security of GT TechStart, both the startup (if already incorporated) and its partners will undergo a brief due diligence. It is important to note that the existence of judicial proceedings compromising the suitability/reputation of the company or its partners may, at GT Lawyers' discretion, result in non-approval for participation in GT TechStart.
After evaluating the submitted documents and the results of the preliminary due diligence, selected interested parties will hold a technical meeting with the GT Lawyers team for final evaluation and approval, which will subsequently be sent to the interested parties via email.
Following the startup's approval in GT TechStart, an onboarding process will be conducted for an initial legal diagnosis and identification of needs, marking the beginning of the partnership.
Engagement
How to initiate a Startup with GT TechStart?
A startup's engagement with GT TechStart will be formalized through the signing of a service agreement, which will establish the exclusive engagement of our firm for a determined period, which may range from 12 (twelve) to 36 (thirty-six) months.
For early termination of the agreement, a 60 (sixty) days' prior notice will be required, without prejudice to the fees owed to the firm until the effective date of termination. This provision includes, but is not limited to, fees on any funding round that is ongoing or materializes as a direct result of the firm's efforts until the termination date.
Remuneration
Payment method
To enable participation in GT TechStart, a remuneration model has been designed that reduces the entry barrier for startups and positions GT Lawyers as a strategic partner – GT Lawyers will waive initial fees, linking remuneration to the financial success of the startups.
- Hourly work without initial fee charging: Selected startups will not pay initial fees. Legal support will be offered with a limit of 120 (one hundred and twenty) hours per semester (an average of 20 hours per month); and
- Variable Remuneration: A percentage calculated on the amount raised in investment rounds conducted by startups with GT Lawyers' legal advisory, as previously agreed in the fee agreement.
Disqualification
Under what circumstances could I be disqualified from GT TechStart?
Due to Extreme Success and Startup Maturity:
Exceptional success may indicate that the startup has reached a level of maturity that naturally disqualifies it from the GT TechStart profile, transitioning it into a “regular” company in terms of legal advisory needs. Disqualification due to success may occur when the startup achieves one or more of the following milestones:
Significant Investment Round: Completion of a substantial funding round (e.g., Series A, Series B, or equivalent) that significantly increases the startup’s valuation and operational capacity, or is considered an “exit round” in the context of GT TechStart.
High Market Value/Valuation: Achieving a predefined market valuation that indicates the company has reached a mature, established status. This value will be determined either jointly or based on market metrics.
Acquisition or Merger: Undergoing an acquisition or merger with a large corporation, thus ending its journey as an independent startup within the GT TechStart framework.
Consolidated Recurring Revenue: Reaching a level of monthly or annual recurring revenue that establishes the company as a sustainable and profitable business, no longer dependent on the special terms of an acceleration program.
In these success scenarios, disqualification from GT TechStart does not imply the termination of the partnership but rather a transition to a standard fee and service model provided by GT Lawyers. This model will be aligned with the company’s new reality and needs, establishing fees that “grow along with the company.”
Due to Lack of Commitment or Misalignment:
GT Lawyers reserves the right to reassess a startup’s participation in GT TechStart at any time and, if necessary, disqualify it under the following circumstances, among others:
Failure to Meet Agreed Milestones: Repeated failure to deliver agreed-upon information, documents, or to meet operational/strategic milestones outlined in the acceleration plan, despite prior communication and deadlines for resolution.
Low Engagement/Lack of Responsiveness: Absence of active participation in scheduled meetings, workshops, or mentoring sessions, and/or unresponsiveness to important communications from the firm within reasonable deadlines, indicating disinterest or improper prioritization of GT TechStart.
Strategic Misalignment: Substantial changes in the startup’s objectives or business model that no longer align with the originally defined profile for GT TechStart or make it incompatible with the scope of the firm’s activities within the program.
Breach of Exclusivity: Failure to observe the agreed exclusivity with the firm regarding fundraising during the contract period.
In these cases, GT Lawyers will notify the startup, granting a period for resolution or clarification. If the situation persists, disqualification may take place, with the termination of the contract and settlement of fees owed up to the termination date, as specified in the service agreement.
Periodic Review:
GT TechStart and its guidelines are subject to periodic adjustments and modifications. Any changes will be made at the sole discretion of GT Lawyers, and an updated version of this regulation will be promptly sent to La French Tech and the startups participating in GT TechStart.
