Start Smart: Legal Foundations Every Startup Founder Should Know
Overview
The strongest startups are built on more than vision and hustle — they’re grounded in solid legal foundations. Too often, founders skip or delay key steps that can create hidden risks and costly headaches down the road.
In this session, attorney and repeat founder Tabetha Hinman will walk through the core legal building blocks every startup needs. Expect plain-English guidance, not jargon, and actionable steps you can put to use right away.
What you’ll learn
How to choose the right entity and structure founder equity
Why vesting schedules and 83(b) elections matter from day one
Ways to protect your intellectual property and manage contractor agreements
How SAFEs affect your cap table (and what to watch out for)
When it’s time to bring in outside legal counsel
No matter if you’re pre-product, bootstrapping, or fresh off an angel round, this workshop will help you de-risk your path forward and keep your company investable, agile, and ready for growth.
About our speaker
Tabetha Hinman brings extensive expertise and a strong track record in delivering strategic legal solutions to scaling companies in the US. With a long-standing career in the tech and startup sectors, she has advised on operations and product development, specialising in fundraising, sales, marketing, and legal operations.
Her experience spans hardware, SaaS, gaming, IT, AI, and crypto, representing high-profile clients such as Epic Games, Zappos, PopSugar, and Mimosa Networks. Tabetha has held senior leadership roles, including General Counsel, Chief People Officer, and Chief Business Officer, providing strategic guidance from startup inception to acquisition.
She supports companies across the US with their day-to-day legal needs, including contract negotiations, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, employment matters, and risk management. Whether navigating complex legal frameworks or structuring deals that drive growth, Tabetha ensures businesses operate with confidence and efficiency.
She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from UC San Diego and a J.D. from UCLA.
By registering, you agree to receive occasional emails from Renew Venture Capital®. You may unsubscribe at any time.