Venture Capital and Startups

Our experience assisting both investors and startups on venture capital transactions, along with our deep understanding of Australia’s startup ecosystem and investment landscape, means we are well placed to advise investors and startups on their full range of legal needs, taking into account market trends and investor preferences.

Investors

We act for a broad range of investors, including venture capital, private equity funds, institutional investors (superannuation and insurance funds), family offices and high net worth individuals and other angel investors. 

Our range of experience, together with our established relationships in the industry, allows us to add significant value in guiding our clients through the investment process. 

We assist our investor clients throughout the lifecycle of a fund: fund establishment, raising capital, regulation and governance, deploying capital, realisation of investments, winding up and exit strategy. 

Our experience acting for family office clients on a range of transactions means we appreciate the nuances of this structure and its multidisciplinary needs of these organisations.

Founders

We regularly act for founders, entrepreneurs, startup and scaleup businesses looking to raise capital. Our experience on both sides of venture and other private capital transactions allows us to deliver creative and commercial solutions to remove roadblocks and streamline the investment process.

We offer full turnkey capability to investors and companies within the venture capital market. We have deep expertise with fund establishment (including VCLPs and ESVCLPs), as well as advising on the wide variety of regulatory and compliance issues that go with managing a fund, eg AML/CTF, AFSL and FSR compliance. Our expertise extends to providing tax and structuring advice when establishing a fund and when winding it down.

We have strong industry connections including with venture capital, private equity and other funds, family offices, high net worth individuals and angel investment groups, as well as the startup and entrepreneurial community more broadly. We are a member of the Australian Investment Council (AIC), the peak body for private capital in Australia.

We are passionate about supporting emerging companies as they grow and evolve, which often involves raising capital. We have our own startup accelerator program, called Frank Lab. It’s our way of giving back and contributing to the growth of the ecosystem. Our Frank Lab accelerator is an Early Stage Investment Company (ESIC) eligible program, which gives investors in the startups that participate in our accelerator access to significant tax incentives.

Let’s be frank; starting or growing a business empire takes hard work and determination. And navigating the legal complexities can seem daunting too. 

Our venture capital and startup practice supports entrepreneurs with practical and responsive business solutions.

While our core service as a firm is business law, there’s no legal speak here – just straightforward advice and accessibility. Beyond legal expertise, our goal is to help you access what we know and who we know to supercharge your journey to success. 

What is Frank Lab?

Frank Lab is our startup accelerator program. We help businesses from a variety of industries, both for profit and impact, to expedite their growth and hit their success milestones faster.

Each intake, we work with approximately 10 businesses, and run workshops, seminars and networking opportunities to assist entrepreneurs in their growth strategy and in overcoming any obstacles to their success. 

By providing the guidance, connections and supportive community entrepreneurs need to succeed, we aim to fuel the local business community for many years to come.

Frank Lab Co-Lead Jasmine Koh talks about what clients have enjoyed in the Hall & Wilcox Frank Lab accelerator program and outlines what’s ahead for Frank Lab, which has just celebrated its fifth anniversary.

Frank Lab is back for another year!

Our program is designed for promising startups, whether for-profit or impact-driven, that are solving real-world problems and ready to scale. This unique opportunity equips participants with the tools, connections and legal support needed to propel their business forward.

Successful applicants will participate in a comprehensive two-day intensive at our Melbourne office on 14 and 15 November 2024. Supported by Skalata Ventures and One Roof, Frank Lab 2024 offers startups access to industry specialists, investors and mentors. The program will feature breakout sessions with advisors, invaluable networking opportunities and targeted workshops designed to enhance participants’ growth and readiness for future challenges. Following the intensive, participants will take part in a four-week ongoing support program, providing structured guidance as they begin to apply their learnings. 

Additionally, participants will receive benefits to use until 30 June 2025, including:

• $5,000 in legal services;
• an experienced lawyer as a trusted advisor;
• regular meetings to prioritise legal and commercial needs;
• access to Hall & Wilcox’s extensive networks, including accountants and investors; and
• use of office space, technology and Smarter Law solutions. 

Our team of highly experienced business lawyers and advisors understands the unique challenges entrepreneurs face. We’ll connect you with expert advice for all types of entrepreneurial concerns including:

• legal;
• tax;
• business;
• technology;
• marketing;
• networks; and
• everything you need to build your business empire.

We want to support your success, so we’ll work with you to set up a fee structure that helps you know upfront, exactly what you’re getting and what you’re paying for.

We’ll help you with: