How does access to Clerky products work?

This article assumes your startup has incorporated using Clerky or will do so.

Your startup begins with access to only our incorporation products as a safeguard to reduce the risk of legal problems. As your startup completes prerequisite legal paperwork on Clerky, your startup will automatically get access to the products it's ready for. If your startup finalizes paperwork it isn't ready for, you could find yourself with expensive, time-consuming problems.

For example, if your startup tried to issue a safe before completing the post-incorporation setup paperwork, that safe issuance might be invalid. That's because safe financings need to be approved by the board, and your startup won't have a board until it completes the post-incorporation setup paperwork. Our software helps you avoid problems like this by only providing access to products when your startup is ready for them.

IF YOU WANT TO	USE	PREREQUISITES	UNLOCK ACCESS TO
Incorporate your startup	Our incorporation products in our Formation product line¹ ¹This isn't complete until the Delaware Division of Corporations files your certificate of incorporation.	None	The post-incorporation setup products in our Formation product line
Adopt bylaws Elect initial directors Appoint initial officers Issue stock to founders Have founders sign IP and confidentiality agreements	Our post-incorporation setup products in our Formation product line	Incorporation	The stock plan adoption product in our Formation product line The foreign qualification products in our Formation product line The new hire paperwork products in our Hiring product line Our Fundraising product line Our Commercial product line Our Maintenance product line
Register to do business in California or New York	Our foreign qualification products in our Formation product line	Incorporation Post-incorporation setup
Adopt a stock plan	The stock plan adoption product in our Formation product line	Incorporation Post-incorporation setup	The equity compensation products in our Hiring product line
Issue stock options or restricted stock to employees, consultants, or advisors	Our equity compensation products in our Hiring product line	Incorporation Post-incorporation setup Stock plan adoption
Sign NDAs	Our Commercial products	Incorporation Post-incorporation setup
Change number of authorized shares Change name of corporation	Our Maintenance products² ² If your startup hasn't completed the post-incorporation setup paperwork, the products for making these changes are only available by request. If you need access, please reach out.	Incorporation
Add new director Add new officer Accept director resignation Remove officer	Our Maintenance products	Incorporation Post-incorporation setup

What if my startup didn't incorporate using Clerky?

See What if I've already formed an entity for my startup?.

What if I purchased the Company Lifetime Package?

Purchasing the Company Lifetime Package doesn't give you access to included products. The Company Lifetime Package is a pricing plan that covers the cost of the included products (not including some third-party fees) over the lifetime of your startup. This plan does not affect product access. Like all Clerky customers, you'll only automatically receive access to the included products when you’ve completed the necessary prerequisites, as outlined above.

Are you an attorney?

See Help Center for Attorneys: How does access to Clerky products work? for a version of this article with additional information to help you work with your clients.