General Information
Start-Up Law is an elective subject in postgraduate programs offered by the Faculty of Law in which undergraduate students may be permitted to enrol. This subject examines the possible legal issues arising in the lifecycle of a typical emerging growth (ie new technology) start-up venture from inception to securing financing and implementing expansion plans. This subject studies the legal issues, typical documentation, and skills needed by an advisor to start-up ventures. It covers the theoretical framework and the legal aspects of start-up ventures and provides exposure to legal professionals who have worked with start-ups, successful software tech/biotech/fintech companies, venture capital, and angel investors. There will be transnational and global comparisons of the legal and business environments for start-up ventures.
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Details
Academic unit: Faculty of Law Subject code: LAWS17-573 Subject title: Start-Up Law Subject level: Undergraduate Semester/Year: May 2023 Credit points: 10.000 -
Delivery & attendance
Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable Delivery mode: Mixed (Face-to-Face) Workload items: - Seminar: x2 (Total hours: 12) - Seminars
- Directed Online Activity: x12 (Total hours: 12) - Online Activity
- Personal Study Hours: x12 (Total hours: 96) - Recommended Study Hours
Attendance and learning activities: Attendance at all seminars is required. Please review timetable schedule and make sure you can commit before enrolling. All seminars will involve a participatory activity to demonstrate class participation. -
Resources
Prescribed resources: No Prescribed resources.
After enrolment, students can check the Books and Tools area in iLearn for the full Resource List.iLearn@Bond & Email: iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications.
Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student.
To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
Academic unit: | Faculty of Law |
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Subject code: | LAWS17-573 |
Subject title: | Start-Up Law |
Subject level: | Undergraduate |
Semester/Year: | May 2023 |
Credit points: | 10.000 |
Timetable: | https://bond.edu.au/timetable |
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Delivery mode: | Mixed (Face-to-Face) |
Workload items: |
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Attendance and learning activities: | Attendance at all seminars is required. Please review timetable schedule and make sure you can commit before enrolling. All seminars will involve a participatory activity to demonstrate class participation. |
Prescribed resources: | No Prescribed resources. After enrolment, students can check the Books and Tools area in iLearn for the full Resource List. |
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iLearn@Bond & Email: | iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au |
Enrolment requirements
Requisites: |
Nil |
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Assumed knowledge: |
Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.
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Restrictions: |
Nil |
Assurance of learning
Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.
At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.
Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the start-up ecosystem in Australia including legal structures required for start-up ventures.
- Competently apply reasoning, research, legal theory and principles to real-world start-up scenarios.
- Identify and apply high-level skills and initiative to resolve complex scenarios related to start-up ventures.
Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment
The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.
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Assessment details
Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed Essay Students are required to submit an assignment. 25.00% Week 7 1,2,3 Take-home Examination Students are required to submit their answers to an online take-home exam. 60.00% Week 12 1,2,3 Activity Students are required to attend all seminars. 15.00% Ongoing 1,2,3 - * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
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Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria
High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Type | Task | % | Timing* | Outcomes assessed |
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Essay | Students are required to submit an assignment. | 25.00% | Week 7 | 1,2,3 |
Take-home Examination | Students are required to submit their answers to an online take-home exam. | 60.00% | Week 12 | 1,2,3 |
Activity | Students are required to attend all seminars. | 15.00% | Ongoing | 1,2,3 |
- * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
Assessment criteria
High Distinction | 85-100 | Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. |
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Distinction | 75-84 | Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. |
Credit | 65-74 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. |
Pass | 50-64 | Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. |
Fail | 0-49 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. |
Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Study Information
Submission procedures
Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.
Policy on late submission and extensions
A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless an extension is granted by the subject coordinator. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date.
Academic Integrity
Bond University‘s Student Code of Conduct Policy , Student Charter, Academic Integrity Policy and our Graduate Attributes guide expectations regarding student behaviour, their rights and responsibilities. Information on these topics can be found on our Academic Integrity webpage recognising that academic integrity involves demonstrating the principles of integrity (honesty, fairness, trust, professionalism, courage, responsibility, and respect) in words and actions across all aspects of academic endeavour.
Staff are required to report suspected misconduct. This includes all types of plagiarism, cheating, collusion, fabrication or falsification of data/content or other misconduct relating to assessment such as the falsification of medical certificates for assessment extensions. The longer term personal, social and financial consequences of misconduct can be severe, so please ask for help if you are unsure.
If your work is subject to an inquiry, you will be given an opportunity to respond and appropriate support will be provided. Academic work under inquiry will not be marked until the process has concluded. Penalties for misconduct include a warning, reduced grade, a requirement to repeat the assessment, suspension or expulsion from the University.
Feedback on assessment
Feedback on assessment will be provided to students according to the requirements of the Assessment Procedure Schedule A - Assessment Communication Procedure.
Whilst in most cases feedback should be provided within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, the Procedure should be checked if the assessment is linked to others or if the subject is a non-standard (e.g., intensive) subject.
Accessibility and Inclusion Support
Support is available to students where a physical, mental or neurological condition exists that would impact the student’s capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks. For effective support, special requirement needs should be arranged with the University in advance of or at the start of each semester, or, for acute conditions, as soon as practicable after the condition arises. Reasonable adjustments are not guaranteed where applications are submitted late in the semester (for example, when lodged just prior to critical assessment and examination dates).
As outlined in the Accessibility and Inclusion Policy, to qualify for support, students must meet certain criteria. Students are also required to meet with the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor who will ensure that reasonable adjustments are afforded to qualifying students.
For more information and to apply online, visit BondAbility.
Additional subject information
IMPORTANT: Successful completion of this law elective cannot be credited towards future postgraduate studies. | Students may be asked to respond to questions from the subject coordinator regarding the content of their assessments. Students are expected to keep evidence of drafting and research.
Subject curriculum
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Start-up ecosystem
- Overview of start-up venture life cycle, including kinds of funding models - Australia’s start-up ecosystem compared to other countries - Key assistance schemes, regional schemes, industry groups - Role of professional advisors; advising the entrepreneurial client.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the start-up ecosystem in Australia including legal structures required for start-up ventures.
- Competently apply reasoning, research, legal theory and principles to real-world start-up scenarios.
- Identify and apply high-level skills and initiative to resolve complex scenarios related to start-up ventures.
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Ownership structure & key corporate
documents
- Types of ownership/business structures - Incorporation: what, where, how? - Subscription agreement, shareholders’ agreement, constitution – what are they and why are they needed; what are the clauses to watch out for?
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Intellectual capital and competitive strategy
- Fundamentals of IP law - IP considerations for new ventures e.g. protecting IP, valuation - moral rights - confidentiality - Employment law considerations - Key IP and employment documents.
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Share economy and social enterprise
- How are social enterprises different from regular business? - Key legal considerations; B Corps - what is the share economy? - what business models exist in this space and what legal issues arise?
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Going online - legal considerations
- Online business models - Licensing frameworks: perpetual licensing, cloud services - Key legal documents for websites, software and apps - Privacy and data security issues - Engagement and attention: social media and marketing legal issues.
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Financing start-up ventures
- Legal process behind funding start-up ventures, availability of finance based on the stage of the venture - Types of financing: pros and cons - Angel investors and venture capitalists – what do they expect - What legal documents are needed? - How are these documents negotiated?
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Exit strategies
- options for exit - legal aspects of IPOs, M&A, winding-up.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the start-up ecosystem in Australia including legal structures required for start-up ventures.
- Competently apply reasoning, research, legal theory and principles to real-world start-up scenarios.
- Identify and apply high-level skills and initiative to resolve complex scenarios related to start-up ventures.