Since 2005, the total amount invested in European startups has increased tenfold. That’s impressive, but a problem remains: we rarely manage to take our most promising companies to their full potential.

A pitch deck is a concise and compelling overview of your startup designed to effectively communicate your business’s core problem, your innovative solution, target market size, experienced team, financial projections, and specific funding requirements.

How to set the foundation for future growth? Starting a company is an exciting and challenging journey that can bring co-founders together as they work towards a common goal.

Why are shareholder’s agreements so important and why your business needs one What is it & why is it important?

Thinking about selling or acquiring a company? Most entrepreneurs focus on price and negotiation, but the real safeguard is due diligence. Often underestimated, it is the process that secures and maximises value. At Dups, we see the due diligence not as a formality, but as your best protection and negotiation tool.

Selling or buying a business is not just about price, it is about structure. One mechanism that often unlocks deals is the vendor loan. It sounds simple: the seller grants a loan to the buyer for part of the purchase price. No new cash leaves the seller’s pocket, the payment is simply deferred and treated as a loan. But when structured well, it is far more than a payment delay, it is a strategic tool.

In M&A, an earn-out can be the bridge between a seller’s expectations and a buyer’s caution. It is not just a payment mechanism, it is a strategic tool that aligns interests and smooths the transition. But here is the catch: if poorly drafted, it can turn into a source of disputes and frustration. At dups, we make sure earn-outs work as intended, protecting value and building trust.

The locked box mechanism is widely used in M&A deals. It sounds simple: fix the purchase price before closing based on a balance sheet at a specific date, often 31 December. No post-closing price adjustments, no surprises. But simplicity can be deceptive. If you do not structure it properly, you risk disputes, leakage, and unnecessary friction.

In M&A, the Letter of Intent (LOI) is often treated as a formality. It is not. The LOI is the first real stress test of the deal. If it is vague or poorly drafted, you are gambling with millions. At Dups, we see the LOI as a strategic asset, not paperwork. Here is why it matters, what it should include, and how to avoid costly mistakes.