Our Story

Founding Story

StartupShieldUp was founded in 2015 by a group of legal professionals and startup veterans who recognized the critical need for specialized legal protection for emerging businesses. Our founders noticed that most startups were either under-protected or overpaying for generic legal services that didn't address their unique challenges.

What began as a small consultancy in Silicon Valley has grown into a nationally recognized firm serving over 500 startups annually. We've maintained our boutique approach while expanding our capabilities to serve clients at every stage of growth.

Our Mission & Vision

Our mission is to democratize access to premium legal protection for startups. We believe every innovative company deserves affordable, specialized legal services tailored to their unique needs and growth trajectory.

Our vision is to become the most trusted legal partner for startups worldwide, helping founders focus on what they do best - building groundbreaking products and services - while we handle the legal complexities.

Startup team working in modern office

Meet Our Team

Sarah Johnson, Chief Legal Officer

Sarah Johnson

Chief Legal Officer

Harvard Law, 12+ years in tech law

Sarah specializes in intellectual property and corporate law for tech startups. Before joining StartupShieldUp, she led the legal team at two successful unicorn startups through their growth and acquisition phases.

Michael Chen, Senior Corporate Attorney

Michael Chen

Senior Corporate Attorney

Stanford Law, VC and M&A expert

Michael brings 15 years of experience in venture capital financing and mergers & acquisitions. He's helped structure over $2B in startup funding rounds and has deep connections in the investment community.

Elena Rodriguez, IP Specialist

Elena Rodriguez

IP Specialist

MIT & Yale Law, Patent Law expert

With dual degrees in computer science and law, Elena is uniquely qualified to handle complex technology patents and IP portfolios. She's filed over 500 patents for startups in AI, biotech, and software sectors.

Our Experience & Credentials

By The Numbers

  • 8+ years specializing in startup legal services
  • 500+ startups served across various industries
  • 100% of our attorneys have startup experience
  • Recognized by LegalTech as "Top Startup Law Firm" 3 years running

Certifications & Partnerships

American Bar Association Member LegalTech Certified Partner National Venture Capital Association Privacy Shield Certified
"StartupShieldUp didn't just provide legal services - they became true partners in our growth journey. Their proactive approach saved us from multiple potential legal pitfalls during our Series B funding."

— Jessica Tan, CEO of CloudNova

Did You Know?

Over 60% of startups face legal challenges in their first 3 years, yet only 12% have dedicated legal counsel during this critical period.

Proper legal structuring from inception can increase a startup's valuation by an average of 28% during funding rounds.

Ready to Protect Your Startup?

Schedule a free initial consultation with one of our startup legal experts today.

Request Consultation

Our Journey

2015

Founded in Silicon Valley with 3 attorneys

2017

Expanded to New York and Boston offices

2019

Launched our proprietary legal health check system

2022

Recognized as "Top Startup Law Firm" by LegalTech

2023

Served our 500th startup client