EMBARK.LAW

What EMBARK.LAW does

EMBARK.LAW AG is a Swiss law firm founded in 2016 by Michel Kertai and headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, specializing exclusively in legal services for the startup ecosystem. The firm serves early-stage startups, scaleups, and investors across Switzerland and supports cross-border Switzerland-US transactions through a network of US partner law firms in New York and California. Its service portfolio spans the full company lifecycle: incorporation, financing rounds (convertible loan agreements and equity rounds), employee incentive plans (ESOP and VSOP), mergers and acquisitions advisory, intellectual property protection, data protection and GDPR compliance, and AI regulation advisory.

The firm employs a team of 11 lawyers and legal advisors, many of whom are current or former entrepreneurs and angel investors with firsthand startup operating experience. The team's dual Swiss and US law qualifications, combined with templates and standardized processes for common startup legal needs, constitute the firm's core differentiation. EMBARK.LAW has positioned itself as one of Switzerland's first law firms dedicated entirely to the startup ecosystem and is embedded in the Swiss innovation landscape through partnerships with ETH AI Center, ESRA, and the ECB ecosystem.

EMBARK.LAW generates revenue through three primary models: project-based flat fees (CHF 1,500–10,000+ for incorporation, financing rounds, ESOP/VSOP setup), hourly billing (CHF 400/h for startups, CHF 500/h general rate) via the EMBARK.flex product, and monthly subscription arrangements (EMBARK.scale). The firm has supported 210+ startups, scaleups, and investors, enabled CHF 330+ million in venture deals, and reports a 94% client retention rate. Go-to-market is sales-led, leveraging direct engagement, content marketing via the firm's blog, and referrals from the Swiss startup community. The firm is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding.

Name

EMBARK.LAW

Legal name

EMBARK.LAW AG

Website

https://embark.law

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

EMBARK.LAW is a Swiss law firm founded in 2016 and headquartered in Bern, providing specialized legal services to startups, scaleups, and investors across incorporation, financing, ESOP/VSOP, M&A, IP, data protection, and CH-US cross-border transactions. The firm has supported 210+ clients and enables CHF 330M+ in venture deals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110), Offices of Lawyers (54111)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Securities Law (BPAHAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Patent Prosecution & Portfolio Management (BPAHAMAA)

Keywords

• Startup legal services
• Venture capital law
• Corporate legal advisory
• Startup incorporation
• Investment documentation

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Legal Services - Flat Fee Packages: Fixed-fee packages for specific legal services including incorporation, financing rounds, employee incentive plans (ESOP/VSOP). Clients can choose between pay-as-you-go (hourly) or subscription models for ongoing legal support.
2. Legal Services - Hourly Billing: Hourly billing at CHF 400/h for startups and scaleups, CHF 500/h general rate. Used for ongoing legal support and custom engagements outside flat-fee packages.
3. Legal Services - Subscription (EMBARK.scale): Monthly flat-rate subscription model for ongoing legal support with customizable coverage. Cancellation possible at any time.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

EMBARK.LAW is a Swiss law firm providing specialized legal services exclusively to startups, scaleups, and investors, covering the full company lifecycle from incorporation (Swiss AG formation), financing rounds (convertible loan agreements and equity financing), employee incentive plans (ESOP/VSOP), mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property protection, data protection and GDPR compliance, to exits and cross-border Switzerland-USA transactions. Services are sold via flat-fee packages for discrete engagements, hourly billing under EMBARK.flex, or a monthly subscription under EMBARK.scale, with additional offerings including free startup legal templates and paid investor knowledge sessions.

Product overview

EMBARK.LAW is a Swiss law firm specializing in comprehensive legal services for the startup ecosystem. The firm offers a portfolio of service modules including company incorporation (AG formation), financing and fundraising support (CLAs, equity rounds), employee incentive programs (ESOP/VSOP), mergers and acquisitions advisory, intellectual property protection, data protection compliance, and cross-border Switzerland-USA transaction services. The firm provides ongoing legal support through two subscription models: EMBARK.flex (hourly billing at CHF 400/h) and EMBARK.scale (fixed monthly rates). Additionally, the firm offers free startup legal templates and investor education sessions. The firm leverages dual Swiss and U.S. law expertise to serve both early-stage startups and established scaleups seeking investment or exit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EMBARK.flex: Pay-as-you-go legal services billed by the hour at CHF 400/h for startups and scaleups.
• EMBARK.scale

Products and services

• Incorporation Services Legal services for establishing Swiss Aktiengesellschaft (AG) companies, including paperwork, stock splits, articles of incorporation, shareholders' agreements, and founder vesting. Targeted at startup founders and first-time entrepreneurs.
• Financing Services Legal support for startup financing rounds including convertible loan agreements (CLAs) and equity financing rounds, managing investor negotiations, term sheets, cap tables, and capital increase documentation. For startup founders, CFOs, and boards.
• Employee Incentive Plans (ESOP/VSOP) Design and implementation of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP) and Phantom Stock Plans (VSOP) for attracting and retaining startup talent, including plan documents, grant letters, and template agreements. For startup founders, HR leads, and finance teams.
• Mergers & Acquisitions M&A advisory services for both buyers and sellers, including due diligence, deal structuring, negotiations, and post-closing integration for startups, scaleups, and owner-managed companies. Covers cross-border CH-US transactions.
• Intellectual Property Protection IP protection services including trademark registration, trade secret protection, IP assignments, and comprehensive IP strategy development. For startup founders and technology companies needing to protect innovation.
• Data Protection & GDPR Compliance Advisory services on Swiss data protection law and GDPR compliance for startups operating in Europe, including AI regulation. Targeted at founders and in-house legal/data teams at startups.
• Switzerland-USA Cross-Border Services Legal services for cross-border transactions and company establishment between Switzerland and the United States, leveraging dual Swiss and California bar admissions and a network of US partner law firms. For Swiss companies expanding to the US and US companies entering Switzerland.
• EMBARK.flex Pay-as-you-go legal support billed by the hour at CHF 400/h for startups and scaleups (CHF 500/h general rate), providing on-demand legal assistance outside of flat-fee packages.
• EMBARK.scale Flat-rate monthly subscription for ongoing legal support with customizable coverage and a dedicated legal team on standby; cancellation possible at any time. For startups and scaleups needing continuous legal counsel.
• Investor Services Legal support for angel investors, VCs, and corporate venture funds including term sheet review, investment documentation, due diligence, syndicate pooling, and fund structuring. Covers cross-border CH-US investments.
• Knowledge Sessions for Investors Live 2-hour educational presentations for investors covering Term Sheets, Anti-Dilution protection, Liquidation Preferences, and Convertible Loan Agreements (CLAs), with Q&A, exercises, and a maximum of 10 participants per session.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% retention rate for ongoing clients
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ETH AI CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ETH Zurich's AI Center, positioning EMBARK.LAW as a preferred legal partner for ETH spin-offs and the broader AI startup ecosystem.
• ESRA (European Science, Research and Innovation Area)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ESRA supporting the European startup and research ecosystem.
• ECB (European Central Bank)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as ecosystem partner in ECB's innovation and startup ecosystem initiatives.
• US Partner Law Firms (New York and California)coreTechnology or IntegrationNetwork of US partner law firms in New York and California to support cross-border transactions between Switzerland and the USA.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Homburger: Top-tier Swiss law firm with one of the country's strongest venture capital and tech M&A practices. Comparable in serving high-growth Swiss startups and investors on financing rounds and exits, though serving a broader corporate clientele as well.
• Walder Wyss: Leading Swiss full-service law firm with a dedicated venture capital and startup practice. Most direct Swiss competitor to EMBARK.LAW for mid-market startup mandates, with broader practice areas and greater resources.
• Niederer Kraft Frey: Leading Swiss corporate law firm with deep venture capital and startup expertise. Comparable in advising Swiss startups on financings, ESOP/VSOP, and M&A, and competes directly for Series A+ transactions in the Swiss market.
• Gunderson Dettmer: US-headquartered law firm singularly focused on advising venture-backed startups, VCs, and emerging technology companies. Most directly comparable to EMBARK.LAW in terms of specialist startup/VC focus, with a similar client engagement model spanning incorporation through exit.
• Orrick: Global law firm with a prominent venture capital and emerging companies practice. Comparable service offering for startup clients across financings, equity incentives, and cross-border transactions, particularly in technology hubs.
• Cooley: Premier US law firm for startups, venture capital, and technology M&A. Comparable in serving startup clients across incorporation, financing, equity incentives, and exits, though at much larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Wilson Sonsini: Iconic US law firm for technology startups and venture capital, serving clients from incorporation through IPO. Comparable service mix (corporate, financing, M&A, IP) and similar long-term partnership model with high-growth companies.

Broad incumbents

• Bird & Bird: International law firm with a strong technology, startup, and venture capital practice across Europe. Comparable in serving European tech startups and VCs, though as part of a much broader full-service portfolio.
• Taylor Wessing: International law firm with a dedicated startup and venture capital practice in Europe. Comparable for European startup financings and cross-border work, though with broader corporate practice areas than EMBARK.LAW's pure-play focus.
• Osborne Clarke: European law firm with a dedicated startup and scaleup practice, advising on financings, equity incentives, and exits. Comparable client base of high-growth technology companies, though operating as part of a broader full-service firm.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/embarklaw

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EMBARK.LAW