Learning Outcomes of this subject are:
RA.01 Understand fundamental legal concepts relevant to startups and innovation.
RA.02 Analyze legal implications of intellectual property, business formation, and investment.
RA.03 Apply business model thinking with legal considerations in mind.
RA.04 Identify legal risks in internationalization and cross-border business.
RA.05 Develop effective negotiation skills for investment and exit deals.
Topic 1: Introduction to startups and the legal framework. Definition of startups, innovation, and basic legal context.
Topic 2: Intellectual property: patents, trademarks, and copyrights in startups.
Topic 3: Incorporation and legal forms of technology companies.
Topic 4: Financing and investment: funding rounds, venture capital, and angel investors.
Topic 5: Negotiation and contracts in startups.
Topic 6: Legal risks and mitigation strategies.
Topic 7: International trade and cross-border challenges for startups.
Topic 8: Intellectual property and emerging technologies.
Topic 9: Legal aspects of data protection and privacy.
Topic 10: Final presentation of the startup project and review.
The course combines theoretical lectures, real case study analysis, practical activities, and the progressive development of a group-based start-up project. Through problem-based and project-based learning, students will gain a hands-on understanding of how legal aspects affect the creation, growth, and internationalization of a start-up. Sessions include film discussions, pitch and negotiation simulations, and workshops focused on intellectual property, legal structures, and investment readiness.
The main methodologies used in this course are:
MD.0 Lecture
MD.1 Problem-oriented classes
MD.4 Seminars and case studies
MD.6 Project-based learning
MD.9 Simulations and role-play
This course consists of the following assessment activities:
- Weekly participation and activities (highly significant assessment activity) / 20% of the final grade.
Includes class attendance, punctuality, active participation in discussions, group tasks, and simulations.
- Midterm exam (moderately significant assessment activity) / 20% of the final grade.
Assesses understanding of the key legal and strategic concepts introduced in the first part of the course. May include multiple-choice or short-answer questions.
- Final start-up project (highly significant assessment activity) / 40% of the final grade.
Evaluated through group work, including a full project presentation, legal structure analysis, and a legal risk report.
- In-class negotiation simulation (significant assessment activity) / 20% of the final grade.
Includes simulated investment and acquisition negotiations, with assessment of strategy, clarity, and legal reasoning.
Retake policy: Students who fail (weighted average grade <5) may sit a retake exam. The final course grade will be the weighted average of the retake grade (60%) and the original grade from the final project and participation (40%).
Murray, A. D. (2015). Entrepreneurship Law: Cases and Materials. West Academic Publishing.
https://www.westacademic.com/Murray-Entrepreneurship-Law-Cases-and-Mater...
Gara, T., & Chan, P. (2020). Startup Law: Everything Entrepreneurs Need to Know About Legal and Business Matters. Independently published.
https://www.amazon.es/Startup-Law-Everything-Entrepreneurs-Business/dp/B...
Mann, R. J. & Roberts, B. S. (2018). Innovation and Its Discontents: How Our Broken Patent System Is Endangering Innovation and Progress, and What to Do About It. Princeton University Press.
https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691173156/innovation-and...
O'Hara, K. P., & Hall, W. (2018). Law and Entrepreneurship in the Digital Economy: Legal Aspects of Technology Startups. Computer Law & Security Review, 34(3), 543-560.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clsr.2018.03.010
Graham, C. R. (2019). Legal Challenges for Startups in Cross-Border Investment. Journal of Business Law, 7(2), 112-130.
Link para acesso: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3456789