Tony Hsieh, founder of Zappos with a net worth of over US$800 million, passed away in 2020 without a will despite selling his stake to Amazon. His death led to family squabbles and legal complications, highlighting the importance of succession
Izwan & Partners Blogs
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A startup lawyer’s guide to non-standard investment term sheets
These non-standard terms can be detrimental to founders, especially first-time founders who encounter such terms often without realising their long-term implications.
This article explores several non-standard terms we’ve encountered in our past experience and explains why they should be approached
8 common questions before establishing a startup in Malaysia: A startup lawyer’s perspective
Malaysia’s startup ecosystem is vibrant and growing, and many founders are considering establishing a presence here. As a startup lawyer who regularly advises founders on establishing a startup in Malaysia, I’ve put together eight frequently asked questions (FAQs) that hopefully
Understanding priced and unpriced funding rounds for startups
When it comes to raising capital, a startup has to decide if the funding round is going to be a priced or unpriced round. The choice between these two funding structures can have significant implications on your startup’s valuation, future
Navigating shareholder disputes in startups: Different exit strategies and mechanisms explained
As the business evolves, disputes may arise due to diverging interests or expectations among team members. Growth may bring shareholder disputes usually among founders, investors, or employees as they grapple with differences in vision or priorities among the stakeholders.
This
Should I Give My Lawyer Equity Stake in My Startup?
It is uncommon for startup lawyers to get equity stake in exchange for legal services, but we may be open to accepting small percentages for startups (if your business is exciting enough). As a founder, you need to consider not
Sweat equity checklist for startups in Malaysia
As a startup lawyer, I get asked a lot on how to structure sweat equity where the company issues new shares to someone (usually with certain skills or expertise) in exchange for his or her contribution to the company.
Whether
Capital gains tax in Malaysia update
Following a new gazette on 29 December 2023, the effective date for the capital gains tax on gains or profits received from the disposal of shares of unlisted companies formed in Malaysia will start from 1 March 2024, in line
SAFE agreement and convertible notes in Malaysia update
Earlier this week at the Malaysia Venture Forum 2023 the SC chairman said that an exemption will be introduced to further clarify the use of the Simple Agreement For Future Equity (‘SAFE’) agreements and convertible notes by investors investing in
Proposed capital gains tax (CGT) in Malaysia: How will this affect investors and startups?
The recent budget 2023 by the Malaysian prime minister mentioned that a new capital gains tax (CGT) will be imposed on all shareholders selling shares in private companies.
Starting 1 March 2024, any disposal of shares will be subjected to