StartupLAW<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe workshop gave founders practical legal insights for navigating the evolving regulatory landscape in 2026. Instead of focusing on legal theory, the session showed how legal readiness enables sustainable growth, investor trust, and fundraising success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n \n
Doanh Nguyen – Tech Startup & Fundraising Lawyer and Founder of StartupLAW<\/h3>\n \n
Doanh is a trusted technology and fundraising lawyer known as a true\u00a0\u201clegal buddy\u201d\u00a0to founders \u2014 a legal partner who understands startup realities and grows alongside them. With over\u00a015 years of experience\u00a0advising\u00a0300+ startups, tech companies, and investors, he brings a\u00a0practical, clear, and founder-first\u00a0legal perspective across fundraising, investment, IP, and international startup practices.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n
\nModerator:\u00a0Hoang Thi Kim Dzung<\/strong>, Country Director of Vietnam, Genesia Ventures<\/li>\n\n\n\nEditor:\u00a0Vo Thanh Truc<\/strong>, Operation and Community Manager, Genesia Ventures<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nLegal Foundations Should Start from Day One<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Zun:<\/strong> Many founders believe legal matters only become important when they start fundraising or when investors ask for due diligence documents. From your perspective, when should startups actually begin building their legal foundation?<\/p>\n\n\n\nDoanh:<\/strong> In my experience, legal foundations should be established from day one \u2014 even before the first investment conversation happens. The moment founders decide to build something sustainable and scalable, they need to think seriously about company structure, equity allocation, governance, and intellectual property ownership.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn Vietnam, many startups move quickly during the early stage, focusing heavily on product development and market traction. While speed is important, skipping proper legal setup can create hidden risks. For example, without a clear shareholders\u2019 agreement or properly documented capital contribution, misunderstandings among co-founders can arise later. Similarly, if intellectual property is not legally assigned to the company from the beginning, it may create major complications during fundraising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Investors pay close attention to these foundational elements during due diligence. If the structure is unclear or documentation is incomplete, it can delay or even derail an investment deal. Therefore, building a solid legal foundation early is not just about compliance \u2014 it is about protecting the company\u2019s future growth and ensuring smoother fundraising processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Most Common Legal Mistakes Vietnamese Startups Make<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Zun:<\/strong> Based on your experience working closely with startups in Vietnam, what are the most common legal mistakes founders tend to make in the early stage?<\/p>\n\n\n\nDoanh:<\/strong> One of the most frequent mistakes is unclear equity allocation among co-founders. Many founders rely on trust and informal discussions without drafting proper agreements. While this works in the beginning, conflicts often emerge when the company grows, raises funding, or faces difficult decisions. Without written agreements covering vesting schedules, roles, responsibilities, and exit terms, disputes can become very complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnother common issue is intellectual property ownership. In tech startups, developers or external contractors may contribute significantly to building the product. However, if there is no formal contract clearly transferring IP rights to the company, ownership can become ambiguous. This is a red flag for investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, startups sometimes overlook industry-specific regulations. For example, fintech, edtech, and healthtech sectors in Vietnam are subject to evolving regulatory frameworks. Founders who fail to proactively assess compliance risks may face operational disruptions later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These mistakes are often not intentional \u2014 they stem from limited awareness or the desire to move fast. However, addressing them early can save significant time, cost, and stress in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLegal Readiness as a Strategic Advantage in Fundraising<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Zun:<\/strong> Many founders see legal expenses as a cost center rather than an investment. In your view, can legal preparedness actually become a competitive advantage?<\/p>\n\n\n\nDoanh:<\/strong> Definitely. Legal readiness should be seen as an investment in credibility and efficiency. When a startup has a clean cap table, properly structured shareholder agreements, well-drafted employment contracts, and clearly assigned intellectual property, it sends a strong signal of professionalism to investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn competitive fundraising environments, investors evaluate not only the product and traction but also the quality of governance. A well-prepared company can move through due diligence much faster, reducing friction in negotiations. This often leads to smoother deal execution and better bargaining power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, strong internal governance improves decision-making within the company. Clear documentation helps prevent misunderstandings among founders and ensures alignment in times of crisis. In this sense, legal preparedness supports both external fundraising success and internal organizational stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, startups that integrate legal thinking into their operations are better positioned for sustainable growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBuilding Long-Term Organizations in an Evolving Market<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Zun:<\/strong> As we move into 2026 and beyond, what kind of legal mindset should founders adopt if they aim to build long-term, resilient organizations rather than short-term growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\nDoanh:<\/strong> Founders need to shift from a short-term, transaction-focused mindset to a long-term, institution-building mindset. This means thinking beyond the next funding round and focusing on governance, compliance, and risk management as integral parts of strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor example, establishing clear internal policies, maintaining transparent financial records, ensuring regulatory compliance, and protecting intellectual property are not administrative burdens \u2014 they are strategic safeguards. As startups expand regionally or globally, cross-border legal considerations become even more complex. Being prepared early allows founders to scale with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in an environment where mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships are increasingly common, strong legal foundations significantly increase a company\u2019s valuation and attractiveness. Investors and acquirers look for companies that are not only innovative but also structurally sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In short, legal thinking should evolve alongside business strategy. Startups that treat legal structure as part of their core growth strategy \u2014 rather than as an afterthought \u2014 are far more likely to build enduring organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNote: This report reflects information as of March 6, 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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