Startup Support / Start-up Law Clinic
Start-up Law Clinic
Fall Semester 2026
What is the Start-up Law Clinic
The Start-up Law Clinic is a practice-oriented course offered by the Faculty of Law of the University of Basel. It connects entrepreneurs from the University of Basel ecosystem with teams of law students and supervising legal practitioners.
Participating startups receive pro bono legal research and analysis tailored to their specific legal questions. Over the course of an eight-week project cycle, students work closely with founders to analyse legal issues and prepare a written memorandum summarising their findings and recommendations.
Target Audience
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The programme is open to startups affiliated with the University of Basel ecosystem.
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Applicants must have a current affiliation with the University of Basel.
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As places are limited, participation cannot be guaranteed.
Topics Covered
The Start-up Law Clinic is not able to provide international law advice or transactional services such as contract drafting, company incorporations, financing execution, or patent prosecution, although we may provide legal research and guidance relating to such topics.
The Start-up Law Clinic can support startups with legal research and analysis in areas such as:
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Company formation and corporate governance
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Shareholders' agreements
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Venture capital and financing rounds
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Convertible loans
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Employee participation plans (ESOP / VSOP)
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Employment law
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Intellectual property
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Commercial contracts
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Data protection
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Regulatory and compliance questions
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Other startup-related legal issues
Format
The programme runs from 21 September 2026 to 11 November 2026.
Each participating startup is matched with a student team and a supervising lawyer.
The process generally includes:
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Initial meeting (up to 60 minutes) to discuss the legal questions and define the project scope
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Approximately two weeks of legal research and analysis
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Final advisory meeting (up to 60 minutes)
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Meetings may be held either in person (Innovation Office or Faculty of Law) or via videoconference.
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The programme is available in German and English.
What is Included / Not Included
The Start-up Law Clinic provides legal research, legal analysis and practical guidance.
Please note that the Start-up Law Clinic does not provide formal legal representation and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Furthermore, the Start-up Law Clinic is not able to provide international law advice or transactional services such as contract drafting, company incorporations, financing execution, or patent prosecution, although we may provide legal research and guidance relating to such topics.
For assistance with the execution of transactions or binding legal advice, startups should consult a qualified attorney.
Registration
Startups may apply using the online registration form (link below).
Applications will be reviewed based on eligibility, project fit and available capacity.
Team
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Dr. iur. Christoph Burckhardt, LL.M. (Harvard)
Co-Head
Christoph Burckhardt is a lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of Basel and a Swiss attorney specialising in corporate law, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, and startup-related legal matters. He advises founders, investors and growth companies on legal issues throughout their lifecycle.
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Dr. iur. Franziska Bächler
Co-Head
Dr. Franziska Bächler is a postdoctoral researcher and Academic Coordinator of the Center for Life Sciences Law at the University of Basel, as well as a Senior Academic Assistant at the Faculty of Law, University of Lucerne. She specialises in contract drafting, corporate law, and life sciences and data law. She previously spent several years as Senior Legal Counsel at F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, negotiating and managing international collaboration, licensing, and M&A agreements.
Contacts
