Ariana Shaffer

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Ariana Shaffer is a startup-savvy corporate attorney and fractional General Counsel who helps founders navigate legal strategy with confidence and creativity. She partners with early-stage and growth companies on everything from fundraising and commercial deals to governance and product counseling. Previously, she served as Senior Corporate Counsel at Sunrun and was the founding attorney at a legal AI startup acquired by AngelList.

Ariana began her career at Cooley LLP, where she advised high-growth and pre-IPO companies on venture financings, M&A, and IPOs. She earned her J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law and her B.A. from Vanderbilt University.

When she’s not working, you can find her playing tennis, planning her next trip, or hanging out with her husband and their Bernedoodle.

I gave my CTO only 10%. He delivered like he owned 50%

When we sold the company for $100M, he walked away with barely enough for a house in California. This is one of the hardest decisions you'll have to make as a founder/CEO.

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Visa Options and Incorporation Considerations for Foreign Founders

This guide walks you through everything you need to know to set up your U.S. startup the right way—from choosing the right entity and meeting visa requirements, to avoiding major tax pitfalls and preparing for fundraising. Whether you're considering an H-1B, O-1A, or EB-1A visa, you'll find step-by-step guidance tailored for international founders navigating U.S. incorporation and immigration laws.

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The tax break that could save you millions

The most valuable tax break for founders is also one of the easiest to lose. If you're planning to sell your company one day, this could save you millions—if you get it right.

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Legal Fees Guide: Priced Rounds for Startups (U.S. Market)

Raising a priced round—whether Series Seed, A, or B—is a major milestone in a startup’s journey. But it can also come with sticker shock, especially when it comes to legal fees. This guide helps founders understand market pricing, what’s reasonable, and what makes a deal more expensive.

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How to Start a Startup in the U.S. as a Foreign Founder

Starting a company as a foreigner is the American dream in action—but making it a reality requires navigating legal, financial, and immigration complexities. From selecting the right business entity to securing visas and raising capital, every decision impacts your startup's success.

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15 Essential Questions to Ask a Potential Co-Founder

Choosing the right co-founder is one of the most crucial decisions for a startup’s success. These questions will help facilitate honest discussions and set the foundation for a strong working relationship.

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How Much Equity Should You Sell in Each Round? A Founder’s Guide to Equity and Dilution

Raising capital is a balancing act: you need enough funding to grow, but you also need to protect your ownership so you don’t find yourself squeezed out of your own company. Many founders raise money without fully understanding dilution, only to realize too late that they’ve given away too much too soon.

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February 26, 2025

How Much Equity Should Startups Give to Employees, Consultants, and Advisors?

One of the most critical decisions a startup founder makes is how to allocate equity among employees, consultants, and advisors. Equity compensation is a powerful tool for attracting top talent, aligning incentives, and ensuring long-term commitment.

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February 20, 2025

In the middle of raising my first $1M, I found out that my co-founder had not issued equity in our company to me. I had to pay $200k out of pocket.

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February 7, 2025

Crafting a Winning Pitch Deck for Early-Stage Startups: Key Elements to Include

This guide will walk you through the essential elements your pitch deck must include to effectively communicate your startup’s value proposition, market opportunity, and growth potential. By focusing on these key components, you’ll be better positioned to secure the funding and support needed to propel your startup forward.

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February 10, 2025

How Steve Jobs Lost Control of Apple—and What Founders Can Learn

This post dives into what happened to Jobs from a legal and governance perspective and offers actionable lessons to help founders avoid a similar fate.

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January 27, 2025

My new co-founder needs to pay $100k+ for their shares in my pre-seed, pre-everything startup. Here's what happened.

A client recently obtained a 409A valuation to issue equity to a new co-founder. The valuation for their pre-revenue startup, which had raised less than $400k, came in much higher than the nominal value they had expected.

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January 23, 2025

I got a $50K Delaware franchise tax bill but only had to pay $450. Here's how I saved $50K on taxes—plus a step-by-step guide to filing your Delaware franchise tax report.

Learn how I saved $50k on taxes and get your free Delaware franchise tax calculator.

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January 23, 2025

Why Choose a Delaware C-Corp for Your Startup (in 99% of cases)?

This guide explains why, in 99% of cases, a Delaware C-Corp is the best choice for venture-backed startups.

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January 23, 2025

This startup issued $5M of founder stock for just $100 and its founder got hit with a multi-million dollar tax bill.

Issuing founder stock or options at the wrong price can lead to massive tax liabilities and IRS scrutiny. A 409A valuation helps ensure compliance, minimizes legal risks, and keeps investors confident. Learn why it matters and when you need one to safeguard your startup's future.

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January 7, 2025

All about SAFEs

When it comes to raising venture funding, startups have several popular instruments at their disposal: SAFEs, convertible notes, and NVCA documents for priced equity rounds. In this post, we’ll dive deep into SAFEs.

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November 20, 2024

$10 million mistake: how the lack of a consulting agreement led to a startup's shutdown 👇

A startup founder hired a developer without a contract. When the developer claimed IP ownership and sued, investors fled, and the startup collapsed. Learn how to protect your venture with proper consulting agreements.

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November 14, 2024

The BOIR Filing Requirements for Startups

Did you know that new FinCEN regulations are likely to affect your company's compliance requirements?

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February 12, 2024

The Ultimate Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) Checklist for Startups and Their Investors

Below is a checklist to assist you in conducting a preliminary audit of the stock's status.

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Missed the 83(b) Election Deadline? Here's What You Can Do

One of the critical elements of compensating early-stage employees and founders is to understand Section 83(b) of the tax code on founders’ shares (aka restricted stock)

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Should Non-US Taxpayers Make an 83(b) Election?

The 83(b) election is a crucial consideration for many startup founders and employees who receive stock subject to vesting. But what about non-US taxpayers? Let's explore this complex issue.

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