We work with founders who’d rather spend their runway on growth than on panic later. If cash is tight, we’re open to equity-based deals. Yes, really. Let’s talk.
For startups
Big vision
Small budget
Big vision
Small budget
Big vision
Small budget
Big vision
Small budget
Our offer to early-stage founders
Big vision. Small runway. Let’s be smart about legal.
You’re building something exciting. You move fast. You know that AI can help, but it doesn’t magically make legal risk disappear. And you definitely know that “we’ll fix the legal later” are famous last words. The problem? Legal wants cash, and startups usually don’t have much of it.
No liquidity.
No problem.
We work with founders who’d rather spend their runway on growth than on panic later. If cash is tight, we’re open to equity-based deals.
From incorporation and cap tables to IP, contracts, and compliance, we help you put real legal foundations in place — without slowing you down or drowning you in PDFs. No rigid packages. No Big Law energy. No 40-page memos no one asked for. We adapt to your stage, your speed, and your ambition. We speak founder, not Latin.
From incorporation and cap tables to IP, contracts, and compliance, we help you put real legal foundations in place — without slowing you down or drowning you in PDFs. No rigid packages. No Big Law energy. No 40-page memos no one asked for. We adapt to your stage, your speed, and your ambition. We speak founder, not Latin.
How does it work?
We offer a select number of startups our legal services through an equity-based arrangement. Apply today.
Frequently asked questions
How can a law firm work with our startup in exchange for sweat equity instead of cash fees?
Instead of charging upfront fees, we take a small equity stake on market terms, similar to an early-stage investor. This preserves your cash when it matters most and ensures we’re building alongside you, not billing against you.
Alto Law performs the legal work, while our investment vehicle, Alto Law & Network, joins your cap table and supports you with business advisory and network access. As equity holders, our incentives are fully aligned: we only succeed when you do. That means pragmatic legal advice, long-term thinking, and a partner invested in your success from day one.
Alto Law performs the legal work, while our investment vehicle, Alto Law & Network, joins your cap table and supports you with business advisory and network access. As equity holders, our incentives are fully aligned: we only succeed when you do. That means pragmatic legal advice, long-term thinking, and a partner invested in your success from day one.
What kind of legal support do we receive under a sweat equity arrangement?
You receive comprehensive legal support tailored to the early life of a startup, including:
• Company formation and structuring under Swedish law
• A clean cap table and investor-ready structure from day one
• Properly structured shareholder agreements
• Tailored incentive and option programs for key employees
• Structured and correctly assigned IP
• Employment, consultancy, and other key commercial agreements
• Investor readiness, including term sheet review
• Support throughout fundraising and negotiations
• Interim General Counsel support as you scale
Beyond legal, you also gain access to our network of investors, partners, and customers across key sectors, along with ongoing advisory support through to Series A.
• Company formation and structuring under Swedish law
• A clean cap table and investor-ready structure from day one
• Properly structured shareholder agreements
• Tailored incentive and option programs for key employees
• Structured and correctly assigned IP
• Employment, consultancy, and other key commercial agreements
• Investor readiness, including term sheet review
• Support throughout fundraising and negotiations
• Interim General Counsel support as you scale
Beyond legal, you also gain access to our network of investors, partners, and customers across key sectors, along with ongoing advisory support through to Series A.
Does every startup qualify for a sweat equity option?
No. We make a careful, case-by-case assessment before entering into any sweat equity partnership.
We evaluate the strength of the idea, the commitment of the founding team, the scalability of the business model, and the company’s long-term potential. Sweat equity is a true partnership, and we only enter into it when we believe we can meaningfully contribute to, and share in, your future success.
If we determine that a sweat equity model is not the right fit, we can always agree on alternative fee structures tailored to your budget and priorities.
We evaluate the strength of the idea, the commitment of the founding team, the scalability of the business model, and the company’s long-term potential. Sweat equity is a true partnership, and we only enter into it when we believe we can meaningfully contribute to, and share in, your future success.
If we determine that a sweat equity model is not the right fit, we can always agree on alternative fee structures tailored to your budget and priorities.
How is the equity share determined in a sweat equity legal partnership?
The equity stake is agreed transparently based on:
• The stage of your startup
• The scope of legal work required
• The expected duration of our involvement
• Your company’s potential and roadmap
Everything is documented clearly in a formal agreement compliant with Swedish corporate law, ensuring fairness for both founders and future investors.
• The stage of your startup
• The scope of legal work required
• The expected duration of our involvement
• Your company’s potential and roadmap
Everything is documented clearly in a formal agreement compliant with Swedish corporate law, ensuring fairness for both founders and future investors.
Will investors be comfortable with a law firm as a shareholder?
Yes — in fact, it often strengthens your credibility.
Investors appreciate seeing that:
• Your legal structure is professionally set up from the start
• A law firm is already actively involved and aligned with the company
• Key legal risks have been managed early
• Governance and documentation are investor-ready
Our role as equity partners signals that your startup has been built on a solid legal foundation.
Investors appreciate seeing that:
• Your legal structure is professionally set up from the start
• A law firm is already actively involved and aligned with the company
• Key legal risks have been managed early
• Governance and documentation are investor-ready
Our role as equity partners signals that your startup has been built on a solid legal foundation.
