Protecting Your Startup From the Beginning
Startup culture is often focused on fast and furious growth. That’s why it’s important to know how to protect your startup from the very beginning. Here are three things that you should focus on when you’re looking into the first things that you need to protect within your startup from the start.
Your Name and Brand
Most startups tend to hit the ground running. They don’t even consider that before they start telling people about their business and what they do or discussing partnerships with other brands, they need to protect the name of their business as well as their brand.
Branding isn’t just a logo. Branding is a message, which can include a slogan, and it’s also specific colors at times as well. For example, Tiffany & Co., the well-known jewelry company, has its very own specific shade of blue that is trademarked by them. If your startup’s brand is known for a specific set of colors or a specific shade, remember to include them when you are protecting your brand through trademarks and copyrights.
The IT Side of Things
No startup should ever begin without considering what an information technology company can do to protect the business. Your system security might need a risk assessment before you expand. With some of the most significant data breaches happening between the years of 2015 and 2019, having an IT professional by your side as your company grows is imperative to your startup being taken seriously as a professional company. Before your startup even begins its first day as an official business, do your homework and find a strong IT professional to work with you so that your company’s information and your customer’s information stays secure.
NDA & Contracts
To keep your startup protected from those who may want to take your ideas without your permission, have nondisclosure agreements and contracts ready for workers to sign from day one. Having the right legal protections at the beginning stages of your startup is one of the most important steps you can take to safeguard your company from its inception. While some people shy away from nondisclosure agreements, the wording and process don’t have to be threatening. Hire an attorney that you trust who can walk you through creating an NDA that fits with your company culture and goals.
These are three of the most important things that you should focus on when you are protecting your startup. Make sure that each person within the company is on the same page as you. Do this and you’ll find that your startup success will be much smoother sailing than you thought.